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MortgagePoint ยป Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 74 April 2025 J O U R N A L increasingly choosing to age in place. Additionally, they're financially incen- tivized to stay put; many older Amer- icans own their homes free and clear, and those who do have a mortgage very likely have a lower rate than they would have today. Long homeowner tenure is an ob- stacle for first-time buyers all over the country, not just in California, because it contributes to the country's housing shortage and pushes sale prices higher. Housing costs are unlikely to drop significantly unless many people start letting go of their houses. SELLERS COULD PROFIT MORE IN 2025 AS COMPETITION SOFTENS T iming is crucial in a difficult real estate market, and this year, the Realtor.com Best Time to Sell study indicates that the best time for sellers to discover the best balance of market circumstances is between April 13 and April 19. If 2025 follows the seasonal trends of the past few years, sellers who list their property this week may see more buyers in the market, sell their home more quickly, and receive an average of $27,000 more than they would at the beginning of the year. "Spring is typically a good time to list your home, and at a time when policy changes and economic turning points create questions and uncertain- ty, it can be helpful to focus on what we do know," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com. "Very pre- dictably, homes listed in the spring tend to be priced higher and sell faster than the average week throughout the year. While tariffs and inf lation continue to be concerns that could dampen buyer and seller confidence, harnessing the seasonal trends in real estate is a proac- tive way to navigate what's ahead." Sellers Can Look Forward to Buy- ing in 2025's "Greatest Time to Sell" However, when is the best time to sell? Per Realtor.com data, the week of April 13-19 is the best time for sellers to take advantage of the housing mar- ket. The market is starting to show positive indicators, even if mortgage rates are still higher than many buyers and sellers would want. Sellers should anticipate good conditions, such as inventory, demand, advantageous com- petition, and market tempo, throughout the week of April 13. Key Findings: Above average prices: Historically, the median listing price of homes listed during this week is 6.7% higher than the beginning of the year and 1.1% more than the average week of the year. The national median listing price during this week might be $4,800 more than the usual week and $27,000 higher than the beginning of the year if 2025 follows the seasonal trends of the past years. Quicker market pace: Homes typically sell faster during this week due to above-average demand. In the past, properties listed for sale during this week sold around nine days quicker than they would have during a typical week. Due to the conf licting factors of limited inventory and low buyer demand, the market pace did not significantly shift from 2024's prior year. The market pace may intensify as buyers compete for fewer houses if buyer demand increases faster than inventory this spring. Above-average buyer demand: How many offers a home receives and how soon it sells can be inf luenced by the amount of people looking at a listing. The seller benefits from more buyers viewing a home, and buyers typically begin the process before sellers do. In the past, each listing has received 17.7% more views this week than it does on average. Many purchasers have stayed out of the market as a result of mort- gage rates staying above 6% for more than two years. However, it is expected that buyers will enter the market this spring after two years of high rates, drawn by better inventory and slower price increases in most of the nation. "While tariffs and inflation continue to be concerns that could dampen buyer and seller confidence, harnessing the seasonal trends in real estate is a proactive way to navigate what's ahead."