Housing Statistics and Real Estate Market Trends

“Items in a house should feel collected over time rather than feeling purchased in one go,” says Chelcie Eastman, cohost of the Magnolia Network series “Anything but Gray.” Rooms filled with matching furniture sets or overly coordinated décor tend to feel staged rather than lived-in. Houses that show more personality can connect emotionally with buyers. That’s especially true as so many listings begin to look alike and home buyers want more for their money. A home on the market should stand out.

Find Out How to Sell in Today’s Market

• The iconic REALTOR® logo means that you’ve found a REALTOR® – a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®.
• Before you hire a contractor, schedule three to five in-person interviews, gather bids, and thoroughly check the background of any you’re considering.
• LookForTheR.realtor (formerly content by HouseLogic) is a free source of information and tools from the NAR that you can use to help your clients make smart and timely decisions about their homes.
• But bathroom remodels can be expensive, too, costing on average $15,000, and easily increasing depending on the extent of changes.

A score in the mid-700s or higher usually qualifies for the best rates, but buyers with lower credit scores still have options. It’s true that higher credit scores can unlock larger loan amounts, smaller down payments, lower fees, and lower interest rates, but perfect credit isn’t required. Typical homeowners today have about $430,000 in net worth compared to renters, whose net worth is less than $10,000. But Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, says those comparisons don’t tell the whole story.

Association News

Before you hire a contractor, schedule three to five in-person interviews, gather bids, and thoroughly check the background of any you’re considering. Referrals — from neighbors, friends, or others —are a common source when looking for a remodeling contractor. Now, as the creator of the “Contractors from Hell” website, Costello fields messages from desperate homeowners who’ve had similar experiences.

How Sellers Can Create Move-in Ready Homes

Consider smaller scale updates, which can sometimes be completed for $200 to $5,000. But bathroom remodels can be expensive, too, costing on average $15,000, and houselogic.com easily increasing depending on the extent of changes. Homeowners also rate bathroom renovations highly for bringing them joy, according to the NAR report.

Government Loans

Experts say it’s important to choose a style that complements your home’s architecture. Further, a new garage door can help homeowners feel better about their homes, the 2025 report finds. Choose projects that don’t involve moving plumbing or taking out walls, Hicks says. “You want to keep up with the Joneses, but you don’t want to beat the Joneses” when remodeling your home, says Angie Hicks, cofounder of Angi. Americans spent an estimated $603 billion on remodeling their homes last year, according to the NAR report. Melissa Dittmann Tracey is an award-winning journalist covering the housing market.