Existing Home Sales Jump 3.2% in May — Here's What Sellers Need to Know
May's sales beat caught forecasters off guard. For sellers, it reshapes how to think about pricing, timing, and what buyers can actually afford right now.
Seller Intelligence archive — page 23
Coverage of mortgage rates, home prices, inventory, policy and the listing business, with what each story means for a homeowner who may sell.
Existing Home Sales Hit 5-Month High in May — What Sellers Need to Know
Sales rose 3.2% to 4.17M in May, median prices hit a record $429,300, and homes sold faster. Here's what that means if you're planning to list.
Family Wealth Now Predicts Housing Outcomes More Than Income Does
A major NBER study of 3.4 million families finds housing wealth is inherited more reliably than earnings — and sellers need to understand who's actually buying.
May Closed Sales Hit Near Four-Year High — But the Pipeline Is Cooling
Closings surged in May, but pending contracts barely moved. Here's what that split means for your pricing strategy and how long you can expect to wait for an offer.
HUD Opens $13M Pilot to Speed Home Construction and Permitting
Two new federal programs target the build-time and permit bottlenecks that keep housing supply tight — here's what that means if you're planning to sell.
Off-Market Sales Are Distorting Property Taxes — Here's What Sellers Need to Know
When homes sell off the books in nondisclosure states, assessors lose the data they need — and the tax burden can shift to sellers who played by the rules.
The Listing Story You Never Told Is Costing You Money
Luxury brokers have quietly figured out that narrative beats amenity lists. Here's what that shift means for every seller, not just the trophy-home crowd.
HUD Opens Review of FHA Repair Rules That Cost Sellers Deals
FHA's minimum property requirements are under federal review. If you've ever lost a buyer over a flagged handrail or chipped paint, this matters to you.
The Private Listing Debate Has a Price Tag. Sellers Should Know It.
A Zillow lawsuit and dueling industry studies have put a dollar figure on how you market your home. Here's what the fight actually means for sellers.
Rates Near 2026 Highs, Yet Buyers Keep Showing Up
Mortgage rates are pressing the upper edge of this year's range — but pending sales and purchase apps are both up. Here's what that tension means if you're selling.
A New Bill Would Let Senior Sellers Shield $1M in Gains From Federal Tax
The Nest Egg Protection Act targets homeowners 65+ who've owned their primary residence for 25 years or more — and it could change when and whether they sell.
Trump Keeps Fannie-Freddie IPO Alive. Here's What That Means for Sellers
The GSEs back roughly 70% of U.S. mortgages. Any ownership shake-up changes borrowing costs — and that changes who can afford to buy your home.
Zillow's Rent vs. Buy Math Just Changed—Here's What Sellers Need to Know
The national breakeven horizon has dropped to six years. Combined with falling listing prices and rising contracts, the data reshapes the case for selling now.
May Jobs Report Beats Forecasts — and Rate Cuts Just Got Less Likely
The economy added 172,000 jobs in May, far above expectations. For sellers, that changes the rate picture — and not in the direction buyers were hoping for.
30.3% of Wages: The Housing Affordability Crunch Sellers Need to Understand
A new Attom study ranks the shakiest U.S. housing markets. If you're selling in Florida, California, or Illinois, here's what the data means for your strategy.