Core Insights - The financial gap between renting and buying is narrowing in many U.S. metropolitan areas, indicating a shift in the affordability landscape [2][3] - The median asking rent for 0-2 bedroom units has decreased by 2.1% year-over-year to $1,711, while rents remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels [1][2] - Despite the decline in rents, renting is still more affordable than buying in 49 out of 50 major metros, with Austin, Texas, showing the largest disparity [3][5] Rental Market Overview - The U.S. median rent in June 2025 was only $48 (2.7%) below its peak in August 2022, but still $268 (18.6%) higher than June 2019 levels [1] - Across the 50 largest metros, median asking rents have decreased by $36 (2.1%) from the previous year, with all unit sizes experiencing declines [2] - The average monthly savings for renters is now $908, down from $956 a year ago, suggesting that buying costs are approaching rental costs [3] Top Markets Analysis - Austin, Texas, has the highest monthly savings for renters, where buying costs 114.7% more than renting, while other major markets like Los Angeles and San Francisco also show significant differences [4][5] - San Jose, California, has seen a reduction in monthly savings for renters, indicating a diminishing advantage over buying [5][7] - Markets like Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee, are showing increasing advantages for renting, highlighting rapid changes in local market dynamics [8][9] Local Market Trends - Pittsburgh is the only major metro where buying a starter home is cheaper than renting, but this trend may change as the market evolves [5] - The rental savings in San Jose have decreased by $349 over the past year, reflecting a shift in the rental landscape [5][7] - Other metros, such as Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, are also experiencing increasing advantages for renting, with significant year-over-year changes [8][9]

Core Insights - Realtor.com® and Local Logic released a ranking of the best U.S. cities for car-free transit, emphasizing sustainability through walking, biking, and public transit [1][3] - The top three cities are Hoboken, NJ; Cambridge, MA; and Brookline, MA, with a significant concentration of top-ranked cities in the Northeast and California's Bay Area [1][2] Ranking Methodology - The ranking was based on U.S. Census data regarding car-free commuters, combined with Local Logic's proprietary Location Scores that assess walkability, bikeability, and public transit access [3][4] - These Location Scores are derived from billions of data points related to local infrastructure and amenities, providing a comprehensive view of neighborhood functionality [3][4] Top Eco-Friendly Cities - **Hoboken, NJ**: Nearly 80% of residents commute without a car, benefiting from a dense, walkable grid and access to PATH trains, ferries, and buses [5] - **Cambridge, MA**: Known for smart city planning and significant investment in bike infrastructure, making car-free commuting a natural choice [6] - **Brookline, MA**: Well-connected by transit and designed for easy navigation on foot, promoting a car-free lifestyle [7] - **Berkeley, CA**: Strong cycling culture and progressive urban policies support car-free commuting [8] - **Washington, D.C.**: Approximately two-thirds of residents commute car-free, with a focus on safer, walkable streets [9] - **San Francisco**: Despite its hills, it remains transit- and pedestrian-friendly, with a long-standing transit-first policy [10] - **Somerville, MA**: Investments in active transportation and compact urban design facilitate car-free commuting [11] - **Boston, MA**: Nearly 58% of locals commute without a car, supported by strong transit coverage and modern mobility plans [12] - **Seattle**: Over half of residents commute without driving, aided by a growing transit network [13] - **Arlington, VA**: Focuses on growth around Metro stations, supporting sustainable commuting options [14] Key Statistics - The ranking includes median list prices, days on the market, and various friendliness scores for cycling, pedestrian access, and transit [15] - For example, Hoboken has a median list price of $785,000 and a cycling friendliness score of 7.0 [15]

Core Insights - The typical down payment in Q4 2024 was $30,250, slightly below Q3 but $3,000 higher than the previous year, marking the highest down payments in history both in dollar amount and as a share of purchase price [1][2] - Down payments in 2024 averaged 14.4% of the purchase price, up from 14.2% in 2023, indicating a trend towards larger down payments as the market remains skewed towards higher-end homes [2] Down Payment Trends - Homebuyers are utilizing pandemic-era savings, which peaked at over 30% of disposable income during the pandemic, to make larger down payments [3] - Despite a lower savings rate post-pandemic, the typical down payment amount remains more than double the pre-pandemic median, with a share of purchase price over 3 percentage points higher than before [4] - Accumulated pandemic savings and high existing home equity are aiding buyers in making substantial down payments [5] Market Segmentation - Housing activity is increasing in the high-priced segment ($750,000+), with a 7.4% rise in sales, while lower-priced segments are declining by 9.3% [6] - Modest down payments, typically used by first-time buyers or those using government-backed loans, have increased but remain below pandemic peaks [7] - The 30th percentile down payment in Q4 2024 was $8,200, up 6.5% year-over-year but down from a peak of $10,300 in Q2 2022, indicating a competitive market environment [8] Future Outlook - As mortgage rates ease, a more diverse range of buyers may enter the market, potentially reducing the incentive to minimize home loans; however, if inventory does not keep pace with demand, down payments could rise again due to increased competition [9]