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75 March 2025 J O U R N A L March 2025 » Which of the following, if any, changes or sacrifices did you make in the past year to afford your monthly housing costs? (Redfin survey) Select answer choices. Respondents could select all that apply from a list of 22 options. Compromise Single, never married Divorced or separated Living with partner Married Skipped meals completely 21% 27% 31% 14% Worked a side hustle 16% 15% 18% 12% Borrowed mon- ey from family/ friends 22% 24% 33% 19% Whether you are interested in being a homeowner or not, which of the follow- ing are reasons you won't be purchasing a home in the near future? Select an- swer choices. Respondents could select all that apply from a list of 21 options. Reason Single, never married Divorced or separated Living with partner Married I can't afford a home in the area where I want to live 26% 30% 24% 20% I am unable to save for a down payment 24% 30% 23% 18% Regular upkeep/ maintenance would be too expensive 18% 17% 14% 10% I am not financially prepared for sur- prise costs 24% 29% 27% 15% WHO IS FALLING VICTIM TO REAL ESTATE WIRE FRAUD? I n this industry, some specific hous- ing market terms bring about more worry to American consumers than others. For instance: wire fraud. While the term may sound scary— and is most definitely illegal—a new survey from CertifID showed how many first-time homeowners are at risk or more likely to be victims of real estate wire fraud. The third annual State of Wire Fraud study was released by CertifID to- day, revealing information and data about the potential risks to American consum- ers during real estate transactions. In less than 10 years, the annual losses from real estate wire fraud have increased fiftyfold, from $9 million to $446 million, according to the FBI Internet Crime Com- plaint Center (IC3). Due to the frequently complicated closing process that involves numerous parties, the public availability of property and listing data, and the enormous sums of money involved—the median home sale price in the United States is $427,000—with cybercrime increasing in the housing sector. "Delivering safe and secure transac- tions is not just good for the real estate industry; it's our duty to consumers as they enter into the largest transaction of their lives," said Thomas Cronkright II, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of CertifID. "This data provides meaningful insight into the true impact of these crimes targeting American homebuyers and sell- ers, who are already under stress in what is the most challenging housing market in recent history. We hope this report sparks new and continued action for all real estate and title professionals to lead their com- munities in the change needed to protect consumers; it is within reach." 2025: Examining the Impact of Wire Fraud on Consumers According to the survey, almost 1 in 20 consumers fall victim to fraud in a real