U.S. Housing Market Update November 2025 | Compass Economist Insights

What This Week’s Housing Data Is Telling Us — Insights from Compass Chief Economist, Mike Simonsen

As the housing market heads toward the end of the year, new data from Compass Chief Economist Mike Simonsen offers a clear snapshot of where things stand — and where they may be headed next.

Across the country, home sales continue to rise compared to last year, even as price indicators soften and affordability slowly improves. For buyers and sellers alike, this signals a market that’s finding balance after years of rapid change.

Home Sales Are Climbing Year Over Year

Weekly pending sales are up about 4% compared to this time last year, with roughly 59,000 single-family homes going under contract this week.
Florida is leading the pack, posting about 10% more sales than a year ago.

This growth also reflects how unusually slow November 2024 was, when mortgage rates were peaking — meaning this year’s progress shows both improved buyer confidence and a stabilizing rate environment.

Affordability Is Slowly Improving

Affordability remains a defining issue in housing, but conditions are gradually easing.
As mortgage rates dip and median home prices tick down seasonally, the typical monthly payment is now lower than it was last year and at its most affordable point of 2025 so far.

While conversations around longer-term loans (like a proposed 50-year mortgage) have surfaced as potential affordability solutions, Simonsen emphasizes that real, lasting improvement comes from incomes rising faster than home prices — a trend we’ve actually been seeing for the past two years.

Price Indicators Are Pointing Lower

The median price of new contracts this week is $391,000 (based on a four-week average of $397,000).
While still slightly higher than last year, the median asking price per square foot has now slipped 1% below 2024 levels.

That shift suggests softer price trends could soon show up in national housing headlines — another sign that the market is normalizing after a period of overheated growth.

Inventory Is Declining Seasonally

Active inventory fell 1.7% this week to 842,000 single-family homes, following typical seasonal patterns.
However, even with that dip, total inventory remains 16% higher than a year ago, giving buyers more options than they had at this time last year.

As demand stays steady and supply tightens through the holidays, this creates opportunities for both motivated sellers and buyers seeking the right timing.

What This Means for the South Bay Market

At Accardo Real Estate Associates, we believe data tells the story behind every smart real estate move.
By staying connected with Compass experts like Mike Simonsen, our team has access to real-time national and local insights — allowing us to guide our clients with clarity and confidence.

The bottom line:
Sales activity is growing. Affordability is inching upward. Prices are stabilizing.
For homeowners, that means a market that’s shifting back toward balance — and for buyers, more opportunity as affordability improves.

Whether you’re considering a move before year-end or planning ahead for 2026, now is the time to align with an agent who understands both the data and the South Bay lifestyle.