01/16/2026
Encouraging momentum in the housing market. Personally, ive had three closings in the last few weeks! Great end to 2025 and beginning of 2026!
New home sales are up nearly 19% YoY, the highest level in almost three years. Existing home sales are also up, rising 5.1% in December and reaching their strongest pace in three years.
Lower rates sticking around longer are clearly helping. Mortgage rates dipped last week from 6.25% to 6.18%, down from above 7% at this time last year. As a result, purchase applications jumped 16% last week and are up 13% YoY.
Refinance activity also surged, up 40% last week and up 128% compared to last year.
You may have seen headlines claiming foreclosure activity is rising in 2025. While technically true, the context matters. Foreclosures increased 14% from last year but still represent just 0.26% of all properties, up slightly from 0.23% in 2024. That remains historically low. During the housing crisis in 2009 and 2010, 2.23% of properties were in foreclosure.
The takeaway is simple. Buyer activity is improving, rates are helping, and foreclosure levels remain nowhere near crisis levels.
This window is a perfect time for serious buyers if you’re looking for inventory to choose from and less competition than you’ll see in the coming months.
Sellers—priced right and in move-in condition, you may still have a pool of buyers ready to make offers and close.
Questions about North Atlanta metro Real Estate—you know I love to talk shop!