Market News April 11

Market Updates

Market Volatility Affecting Lending Rates


After gradually improving, mortgage interest rates reacted to unpredictable stock market movements by increasing by 25 basis points earlier this week.

Last week's rate drop encouraged would-be buyers to view homes, building hopes that the spring real estate market would improve. However, recently announced tariffs and the resulting stock market dive have affected consumers across the board.

Homebuyers are now more concerned with the state of the economy and employment than they are with rates, even as inventory numbers continue to improve.1

Your House Is in the Mail: Sears Pre-cut Homes


Even though the once-vast network of Sears retail stores has dwindled to around eight, many of the homes built from kits purchased from Sears are still standing.

Buyers of these homes had over 370 designs to choose from, and from 1908 to 1942, over 70,000 of these were ordered and built. Usually delivered by rail, these kits included almost everything required to build a home, right down to the nails and paint. Buyers generally had to add electricity, heat and plumbing.

While Sears didn't archive the list of customers who ordered a Modern Home kit, several modern-day researchers are busy compiling a database of the ones that are still standing.

If you're wondering what their resale value might be, this depends on the neighborhood, square feet and design...and of course, the buyer's interest in historic properties. Currently, a Sears Clifton bungalow in Arlington, Virginia is on the market for just under $1 million, while a two-bedroom Sears home in Barrington, Illinois sold for $325,000 earlier this year.2

How Debt Delays Dreams


A recent report published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that excessive debt is a main reason why a would-be buyer has to postpone their purchase. While this can usually be paid down within three years, around one-third of these hopefuls may have to wait at least 10 years.

While 12% of the respondents described high rent costs as their biggest problem, over 30% are stuck because of high levels of credit card debt, or high balances on a student or car loan. Around one in eight said that their health care costs and/or childcare expenses held them back.

Other report findings:

  • 12% each were turned away because of insufficient income, insufficient reserves or incomes that could not be verified.
  • 13% said they had no clue why their applications were rejected.
  • The median down payment was 15%, with older buyers putting up 28% or more.
Remember, I'm always available to discuss your buyer prospects' financing options. In addition, buyers looking for down payment assistance can find resources at the Down Payment Resource website.3

Your Best Social Media Picks for 2025


As you're well aware, social media trends are always evolving, and site suitability can change. For example, LinkedIn has moved past its original role as a jobseeker site and is setting new interaction records.

The social media experts at Buffer.com recently analyzed millions of posts within eight platforms so they could enable users to make smarter content decisions.

Here are the platforms with the highest general engagement, together with their average engagement rate percentage.

  1. LinkedIn, 6.50%
  2. Facebook, 5.07%
  3. TikTok, 4.86%
  4. Threads, 4.51%
  5. YouTube, 4.41%
  6. Pinterest, 3.46%
  7. X (Twitter), 2.31%
  8. Instagram, 1.16%
Here's how to refine your approach based on the data.

For high engagement per post: Focus on LinkedIn and Facebook. Both have strong engagement through comments and community-driven content.

For massive reach potential: Go with Instagram and TikTok. TikTok's discovery algorithm boosts smaller accounts while Instagram offers vast reach.4

Boost a Home's Value with Dark, Dramatic Colors

In days past, many home sellers opted for plain white interiors, fearing that any dramatic color might be off-putting. However, interior decorators have discovered that choosing one or more dramatic, unexpected colors actually encourages would-be buyers, especially those viewing luxury homes.

Here are some for your sellers to consider before you photograph and list their property.

Navy blue may come in and out of style, but it's still a timeless color that also has a calming effect. It also combines well with jewel tone paints, such as gold and magenta.

Olive green is a dark shade that works equally well in contemporary and traditional settings, as it adds sophistication.

Oxblood is a deep red shade that commands the attention of viewers from the second they enter a home. It sends subconscious messages of aged wine. It works especially well within libraries, media rooms and dining rooms.

Dark teal is chosen by decorators when a room needs to be bold. It complements brass fixtures while enhancing dimensions.

Plum purple is another color that goes well with jewel tone contrasts, such as gold. Saturated shades like this one also help to create depth and elegance in a small, plain room.5

Sources: 1cnbc.com, 2theclose.com, 3nationalmortgageprofessional.com, 4buffer.com, 5housebeautiful.com