Group 1 - The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported a slight decrease of 0.2% in the annualized sales rate of existing homes in the U.S. for August, totaling 4 million units [2] - The median home price increased by 2% year-over-year to $422,600, marking the 26th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases [2] - NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun indicated that the housing market has been sluggish due to high mortgage rates and limited inventory, but a decrease in mortgage rates and an increase in available listings are expected to boost sales in the coming months [4] Group 2 - According to a report from China International Capital Corporation (CICC), the main variable affecting the U.S. economy and housing market is interest rates, and a successful implementation of interest rate cuts could positively influence expectations for households and businesses [4] - CICC noted that while U.S. home prices reached a historical high in 2021 and have remained elevated since 2022, the actual growth rate has turned negative, suggesting limited future potential for real price appreciation [4] - The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage recently fell to 6.58%, the lowest since last fall, but remains significantly higher than levels seen during the early recovery phase post-pandemic [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint indicates that while the sales of second-hand homes in the U.S. may decline in March, home prices continue to rise, although the pace of price increases may slow down or even decline due to changing market dynamics [1][2] - Economists predict a slight decrease in the annualized sales rate of second-hand homes from 4.26 million in February to 4.12 million in March, despite a year-over-year price increase of 4.6% [1] - A survey by Fannie Mae suggests that experts expect home prices to rise by 3.4% in 2025, a decrease from the 5.8% increase recorded for 2024 [1] Group 2 - Zillow's latest forecast predicts a 1.9% decline in home prices by 2025, attributing this to a shift in the balance between buyers and sellers as mortgage rates decrease [2] - The increase in market inventory is a significant factor that could lead to a decline in home prices, with listings up nearly 30% year-over-year as of March 2025 [2] - In areas like Austin, Texas, the number of listings has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, leading to a decrease in listing prices per square foot, indicating a potential price adjustment in response to increased supply and reduced buyer activity [2]