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Mortgage-Housing and Real Estate News for Thursday January 16 th 2025
GCA FORUMS NEWS UPDATE for Thursday, January 16th 2025 on the Daily Mortgage, Housing, and Real Estate News for our viewers and members of our online community: Great Content Authority Forums: Daily National Comprehensive Overview of Mortgage and Real Estate News with special emphasis on interest rates, forecast of mortgage rates, housing forecasts, consumer confidence, consumer price index, employment numbers and forecast, national economy, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and investment news. Viewers and members of GCA FORUMS are welcomed to view GCA FORUMS NEWS National Daily News Summary for Thursday, January 16th, 2025.
GCA FORUMS NEWS UPDATE Thursday, January 16, 2025
Welcome to the GCA Forum’s daily news update. Today, we prepare a broad overview of the changes in the mortgage, housing, and real estate markets. We will delve deeper into interest rates, housing forecasts, consumer confidence, employment data, the CPI report, the national economy, bankruptcies and foreclosures, and real estate investment opportunities.
Mortgage Market Update
Current Interest Rates
- 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage: Average rate of 6.35%, no changes since last week.
- 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage: Average rate of 5.68%.
- Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): Starting at 5.25%.
Forecast of Mortgage Rates
Morgan Stanley predicts that rates will remain stable in the following few months due to inflation’s alignment with the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. We also expect that mortgage rates will begin to trend downward in the middle of the year as the Fed cuts the benchmark open market interest rates.
Housing Market Forecast
National Housing Trends
- Median Home Price: The average home price is currently set at $396,000, which is a 1.9 percent increase from last year.
- Sales Activity: Home sales were reduced by 2.4 percent in December 2024 due to increased borrowing costs. The seasonal boost during spring 2025 is similarly expected.
- Inventory Trends: The overall inventory ceiling continues to be bound by a 2.8-month supply, keeping market conditions strong for sellers.
Highlights Regionally
- Florida: Robust demand in coastal areas such as Miami and Tampa Bay keeps accelerating prices.
- California: Elongated Prices and scanty stock is still characteristic of the cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- Midwest: Cheap markets like Cincinnati and Kansas City retain their allure to new entrants to the market.
Key Economic Indicators
Consumer Confidence Index
The consumer confidence index rose to 103.5 in January, reflecting optimism and expectations about stability in the economy and the job market.
Consumer Price Index (CPI report)
December CPI Report:
- Inflation decline on an annualized basis was recorded at 2.3 percent, with expectations of further progress in stabilizing prices.
- Food prices were stable, contributing to the spurge in CPI primarily from housing and energy prices.
Employment Statistics
Unemployment Rate:
- Remained at 4.1% in December.
Job Creation:
- The infrastructure, healthcare, and technology industries grew, adding 256,000 jobs to the US economy last month.
Statistics on bankruptcies and foreclosures
Business bankruptcies have moderated due to easing inflation and a resilient labor market.
Personal bankruptcies have increased slightly due to the persistent headwinds of high interest rates and debt levels.
Foreclosure Statistics:
- Tough economic conditions led to an increase in the proportion of mortgages originating at 1.3 in Q4 2024 and further increases in delinquencies and affordability, compelling economic conditions.
- Foreclosures are more pronounced in high-cost areas.
- Think of California, New York, or Illinois – these are the places where foreclosures are most common.
Investment and Real Estate Opportunities
Real Estate Investment Trends
- Investors are moving towards rental housing, considering the high demand.
- The most sought-after tourist destinations continue to provide massive returns through short-term holiday rentals.
Strategies To Employ For 2025
- Buyers: Locking in current rates to prevent increases.
- Sellers: Maximize the property’s value by taking advantage of limited inventory.
- Investors: Shift your attention to emerging markets and look for income-generating properties.
What THIS Means For GCA FORUMS Members
Key Takeaways
Rates are stabilizing, which should be a sigh of relief for Buyers and those trying to refinance.
Challenges still exist regarding housing market inventory. However, buyers who are properly prepared should not face any major issues.
Moderated inflation with a steady job market gives a positive backdrop for real estate investment opportunities.
Stay Connected with GCA FORUMS
We encourage every viewer and member to contact each other, ask questions, and initiate conversations about current mortgage trends, the housing market, and the economy. We encourage all members to use confidence, and together, we will navigate the ever-changing world of real estate.
Thank you for reading our update. Please reach out tomorrow for more news and deeper insights.
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2 Replies
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Top states residents and businesses are fleeing.
Why Are These People Moving Out Of These States
The migration trends in the United States are influenced by a variety of factors that push people out of certain states (push factors) and attract them to others (pull factors). Here’s an overview:
Reasons People Move Out of Certain States
High Cost of Living
Expensive housing, taxes, and utilities often drive people away from states like California, New York, and Illinois.
Tax Burdens
States with high income and property taxes can push residents to seek relief in states with lower or no income taxes.
Job Opportunities
Declining industries or lack of diverse job markets can encourage relocation to states with growing economies.
Political and Social Climate
Some individuals move due to disagreements with a state’s dominant political or social policies.
Weather and Natural Disasters
Harsh winters (e.g., in the Northeast or Midwest) or frequent natural disasters (e.g., wildfires in California, hurricanes in Florida) can be a deterrent.
Crime Rates
High crime rates in certain urban areas lead some residents to seek safer communities.
Quality of Life Concerns
Congestion, pollution, and a lack of affordable amenities may prompt relocation.
Reasons People Move to Other States
Lower Cost of Living
States like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee are attractive due to affordable housing and overall living expenses.
Tax Advantage
States with no state income tax, such as Florida, Texas, and Nevada, often attract retirees and workers alike.
Job Growth and Opportunities
States with booming economies in industries like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing attract workers (e.g., Texas, North Carolina, Utah).
Warmer Weather
Many prefer mild or warm climates, driving migration to the Sun Belt states.
Retirement-Friendly Policies
States like Arizona and Florida attract retirees due to tax breaks, amenities, and community-focused living for seniors.
Family and Community
Proximity to family or a sense of cultural belonging can pull individuals to specific areas.
Quality of Life Improvements
Access to outdoor recreation, better schools, and less congestion can make certain states attractive.
Popular Migration Destinations
According to recent trends:
Inbound States: Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada.
Outbound States: California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Economic shifts, remote work opportunities, and personal preferences will continue to shape these trends in the future. Let me know if you’d like insights into a specific state!
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Most Migrated States within the United States- Both Corporates and Citizens
Regarding migration patterns, some states have central economic factors, politics, and other factors contributing to the loss of a large part of the population. This is why, as of 2025, these states are leading in the number of outflowing citizens and businesses:
California
Why Did The Transfers Happen:
Overvaluation:
- Many citizens who reside in California cannot purchase homes due to the breathtaking housing expenses.
Tax:
- Both income and corporate taxes that are available in California are some of the highest compared to other states in America.
Life Quality Concerns:
- The combination of wildfires, droughts, traffic jams, and further increases in homelessness encourage people to consider relocating to California.
Increase in Remote Working Options
- The coming era of remote working allows people to migrate to areas with significantly less expense and more area.
New York
Why Did The Transfers Happen:
Excessive Taxes:
- New York’s property and income taxes are excessive, so citizens and corporations move to tax-friendly states.
Living Expenses:
- New York City is extremely expensive, particularly for housing, utilities, and primary requirements.
Urban Overpopulation:
- Due to the recent global health crises, many of the population is now more inclined to move to rural or barely suburban areas.
Political Environment:
- Some express disappointment towards policies and other standard regulations the state proposes.
Illinois
Reasons for Moving Out:
Economic Instability:
- Illinois has some crippling debts like state debt and pension, which causes some serious financial problems.
High Taxes:
- Income and property taxes rank Illinois amongst the top states in the country.
Crime Rates:
- The public safety issue in the city limits, particularly Chicago, contributes to these rates.
Weather:
- Cold winters force people to move to nicer states.
New Jersey
Reasons for Moving Out:
High Property Taxes:
- New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the country, making it increasingly expensive for individuals and businesses to pay them.
Cost of Living:
- Many things, including housing, cost more than an average citizen can afford.
Job Opportunities Elsewhere:
- Other bordering states like Pennsylvania and Delaware have lower costs and better jobs than us.
Massachusetts
Reasons for Moving Out:
Housing Costs:
- A limited housing supply increases the price of homes and rent.
Tax Burden:
- These high state taxes drive away some people and businesses.
Weather:
- Lengthy, cold winters have resulted in people moving to warmer states.
Connecticut
Reasons for Moving Out:
Economic Challenges:
- The economy is not growing, and few employment opportunities exist, so many younger people move to more active states.
High Taxes:
Property and estate taxes are among the most reported when people leave the state.
Aging Population:
- Older people move to states like Florida or Texas without taxes.
Push factors and pull factors drive the migration of people and businesses.
These factors include the following:
- A High Cost of living is crucial; housing, utilities, and taxes make life unaffordable for many.
- Tax Burden placed on constituents is a factor; high income, property, and corporate taxes are major deterrents.
Quality of life issues always remain present; concerns about crime, natural disasters, and urban density lead to people leaving for greener pastures.
Economic Instability is ever present in these people’s lives; states with significant financial challenges face population outflows as residents seek a more resourced country.
Political climate dissatisfaction is also prevalent; unhappiness with local authorities and policies is negative.
Pull Factors
- Lowering the Cost of living is a symptom.
- The construction of affordable housing and easy access to even retirement draws retirees and young families offering low rates.
- Governments are offering Favorable tax policies that relax restrictions.
- Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, which do not have state income taxes, are among the top ten.
- Warmer climates are both an attraction and a symptom.
- Milder weather is one reason why people south of the country prefer migrating.
- The economic boom in these states is contagious.
- Business-friendly laws combined with an expanding job market attract fresh talent.
- Improved quality of life drastically changes within these towns.
- The safer the communities are, the less congestion and open spaces with added amenities become a huge draw.
Would you like us to provide detailed information on which states are receiving the most migrants and how they compare to those mentioned above?