Here is your real estate news for Friday, November 21st.
Today’s Real Estate News (November 21st, 2025):
Existing Home Sales Climb for Second Month — Yet Supply Remains Tight
National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that existing-home sales rose by 1.2% in October, reaching a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.10 million. Year-over-year sales climbed 1.7%. Inventory remains constrained at 1.52 million units, equivalent to 4.4 months’ supply — slightly tighter than September’s 4.5 months but looser than a year ago. Despite the uptick, the market is still navigating through headwinds: high mortgage rates, affordability strains, and significant regional variation (sales fell in the West while rising in the Midwest and South).
Rural Housing Affordability Crisis Deepens
New analysis from Redfin reveals median home prices in rural U.S. areas increased 61% from Q3 2019 to Q3 2025 (from ~$175k to ~$281k). That exceeds suburban (+49%) and urban (+46%) gains over the same period. Meanwhile, the median rural household income (~$70k) now falls short of the ~$75k income needed to afford those homes.
Mortgage Rates (November 21st, 2025):
- 30-Year Fixed-Rate: 6.36%
- 15-Year Fixed-Rate: 5.85%
- 30-Year Jumbo: 6.44%
- 10 Year Treasury Yield: 4.13%
In the competitive real estate market, staying informed is crucial for both buyers and sellers. By understanding mortgage trends, housing market shifts, and the broader economic environment, individuals can make well-informed decisions. This knowledge can lead to more effective pricing strategies, better investment timing, and smoother transactions. For buyers, tracking mortgage rates can help them secure more favorable terms, while sellers who know their local market trends can set more competitive listing prices. Overall, staying updated on these topics not only helps real estate professionals serve their clients better, but also empowers everyday buyers and sellers to achieve their property goals.
Thanks for reading,
Chris
