The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was up 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis over the 2 months from September 2025 to November 2025. The all items index was up 2.7% for the 12 months ending in November. The CPI’s food index increased 11.4% over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since the Carter Years. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Author: Brad Beckett
Brad Beckett
Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that, in 2025 fewer than half (47%) of U.S. households were married couples – marking a significant shift from 50 years earlier, when nearly two-thirds (66%) were. In addition, among married-couple households, the share with their own children has been declining over the past half-century. Interestingly, 1975, 54% of married-couple households included their own children under age 18 and by 2025, that share had declined to around 37%. Some key points: In 2025, there were 39.7 million one-person households, accounting for 29% of all households. The portion of householders age 65 and…
The National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing home sales were up 0.5% in November, 2025 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million. Total housing inventory at the end of November was 1.43 million units, down 5.9% from October but up 7.5% from one year ago. Unsold inventory sits at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales rate with properties remaining on the market for around 36 days. The median existing-home price for all housing types in November was $409,200 – the 29th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. The NAR says inventory growth is stalling: “Existing-home sales…
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in November, 2025 and has shown little net change since April. November’s unemployment rate came in at 4.6%. In addition, the report says employment rose in health care and construction in November, while federal government continued to lose jobs. Click here to read the full report at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Next week is Christmas and if you haven’t put your tree up there is still time. And, with that in mind, today’s graphic from the Home Depot asks; “What’s your Tree personality?” Take the quiz….have some fun….and wish you a Merry Christmas!! Oh and Stay safe and have a Happy Friday, too!!! Hat tip to the Home Depot.
The American Automobile Association (aka AAA) says that over 122.4 million people will be traveling this holiday season – 2.2% higher than 2024. In addition, AAA expects nearly 110 million people will drive to their holiday destinations – especially with gas prices seeing low prices not seen in 4 years. AAA calculates the holiday season from Saturday, December 20 to Wednesday, January 1. “Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations…Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new…
On a recent episode of Real Estate News for Investors, Kathy Fettke discusses the latest Case-Shiller report and she says the headlines don’t tell the whole story. She explains why real home prices have declined for nine straight months, and looks at how today’s values compare to the mid-2000s housing bubble in inflation-adjusted terms. You’ll learn why “real” prices matter far more than nominal ones, how rising inflation reshapes long-term returns, and what investors should watch as inventory grows and 2025 approaches. This is the essential breakdown for anyone tracking housing trends, affordability, and long-term price cycles. Click here to…
Keeping up with posting the various real estate predictions for 2026, today we take a look at Zillow’s. In a nutshell, Zillow says the housing market should settle into a healthier state in 2026, with buyers seeing a bit more breathing room and sellers benefiting from price stability and more consistent demand. They project 4.26 million existing home sales next year and forecast that values will rise 1.2%. Indeed…and to that end here are their 10 points for ’26: Home Values Will Rise Modestly Fewer Owners Will Be Underwater as Prices Firm Up Mortgage Rates Will Hold Above 6% Existing…
The U.S. government is reporting that the national vacancy rates for Q3 2025 were 7.1% for rental housing and 1.2% for homeowner housing. The national homeownership rate for Q3 2025 was 65.3%. In addition, approximately 89.7% of the housing units in the United States in Q3 were occupied and 10.3% were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 58.6% of total housing units, while renter-occupied units made up 31.1% of the inventory. Vacant year-round units comprised 8% of total housing units, while 2.3% were vacant for seasonal use. Click here to read the full release at the U.S. Census Bureau.
In their 2025 Year-End Report, Rentcafe says apartment hunting remained intense across the U.S. this year, with Miami and Chicago leading the pack and Manhattan rising fast. Fortunately, flexibility & convenience are keeping renters “in the game,” even as demand for apartments continues to climb in the hottest rental markets of 2025. So, what did the rental market look like in 2025, and what about 2026? From renters chasing big-city perks to those seeking better options in smaller locations across the country, finding a place to call home was no easy task this year — even with more than half…
