Core Insights - Sales of previously owned homes increased by 1.5% in September compared to August, reaching a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 4.06 million units, marking the highest pace in seven months despite being slightly below analyst forecasts [1] - Year-over-year, sales were up 4.1% compared to September of the previous year [1] Regional Performance - On an annual basis, sales were strongest in the South and Northeast regions, while the West saw the highest monthly sales increase from August, and the Midwest experienced a slight decline [2] - The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan decreased from 6.67% in early July to 6.17% by the end of September, contributing to the sales increase [2] Market Dynamics - Falling mortgage rates are positively impacting home sales, with improved housing affordability also playing a role in the sales increase, according to the chief economist of the National Association of Realtors [3] - Inventory of homes for sale rose by 14% year-over-year to 1.55 million units at the end of September, although this remains historically low [3] - At the current sales pace, there is a 4.6-month supply of homes available, with a balanced market typically considered to have a six-month supply [3]

Core Insights - Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-over-month in September, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million units, and rose by 4.1% year-over-year [1][5] - The increase in sales is attributed to falling mortgage rates and improving housing affordability, as stated by NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun [2][3] - Inventory levels reached 1.55 million units, up 1.3% from August and 14.0% from September 2024, although still below pre-COVID levels [5][6] Sales Performance - Month-over-month sales increased in the Northeast, South, and West, while the Midwest experienced a decline [2] - Year-over-year sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, with the West remaining flat [2] Pricing Trends - The median existing-home price in September was $415,200, reflecting a 2.1% increase from $406,700 a year ago, marking the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases [3][5] - The median home price in the South was $500,300, up 4.1% from September 2024, while the West saw a median price of $360,300, down 0.6% from the previous year [6][13] Inventory and Supply - The unsold inventory supply remained at 4.6 months, unchanged from August but up from 4.2 months in September 2024 [5] - Inventory is at a five-year high, indicating a stable market despite being below pre-COVID levels [2][5] Mortgage Rates - The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in September was 6.35%, down from 6.59% in August but up from 6.18% a year ago [8]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing adjustment in the national real estate market has led to significant price drops in many cities, sparking discussions on whether 2025 is a good time to buy a home. There are differing opinions, with some viewing it as a buying opportunity while others believe there is still room for further declines, suggesting a wait-and-see approach. Group 1: Key Indicators for Home Buying Decision - Monitoring the ratio of mortgage burden to household income is crucial. A healthy standard is that monthly mortgage payments should not exceed 30% of total household income. If first-time buyers are required to allocate over 45% of their income to mortgage repayments, entering the market in 2025 may not be wise [3]. - Examining the disparity between housing prices and personal income is essential. Currently, the price-to-income ratio in second and third-tier cities ranges from 20 to 25, while in first-tier cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, it exceeds 40. A reasonable price-to-income ratio should be between 12 and 15, indicating that families can afford a home without extreme financial strain [5]. - Keeping a close watch on rental price trends is important. Nationwide, rental prices are generally declining, which correlates with decreasing household incomes. For instance, in Shanghai, the monthly rent for a 35 square meter one-bedroom apartment has dropped from 4000 yuan to 3300 yuan [6]. Group 2: Market Trends and Implications - The ongoing decline in rental prices, coupled with high housing prices, is leading more young people to prefer renting over buying. If the trend of falling rents continues, it suggests that housing prices may still face downward pressure [8]. - Not all regions are experiencing the same real estate market conditions. Some cities have seen extreme cases of significant price drops. For example, a residential property in Tianjin's Wuqing district fell from 1.6 million yuan in 2016 to 390,000 yuan, a drop of 1.21 million yuan. Similar situations have occurred in Yanjiao, where a property that peaked at 3.1 million yuan in 2017 is now listed at 680,000 yuan, reflecting a 78% decline [8]. - Even first-tier cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen are not immune to price declines. In Shanghai's Minhang District, the price per square meter dropped from 96,000 yuan in 2021 to 48,000 yuan, nearly halving in just four years. Since early 2022, national housing prices have been on a downward trend for three consecutive years, with an average decline of nearly 30% across the country [8].

不少人看中回迁房的 "低价"，却拿不准能不能买。之前就有朋友问全国住房与建设事业发展中心，回迁房到底能不能入手？今天，住建调查员就给大家说 清楚这件事。 回迁房不是小产权房，它的土地大多是国有划拨性质，从规划、征收到安置都走政府正规流程，原则上能买卖、能办房产证，不算 "黑户"，但算 "慢 户"—— 办房产证常要五六年，甚至拖十年的也不少见。 法律上，有房产证的回迁房能直接过户；只有回迁协议的，公证处能出证明，但改不了系统里的产权人，过户得等证下来，这期间房子被抵押、查封，或是 房主家里有继承纠纷，都能卡住买家。 所以买回迁房，别只盯着便宜：先查土地性质、安置协议原件，摸清房主婚姻状况；留部分尾款、做资金监管，把违约金写进合同，最好让中介和律师帮忙 把关。要是过程中遇到难题，自己解决不了，记得找全国住房与建设事业发展中心帮助，维护好自身权益。 这种 "慢" 藏着风险，看似划算的价差背后有坑：同一栋楼，没证时卖 300 万，房产证下来可能涨到 400 万，三成多的折扣诱人，可房主见涨反悔，合同说 不定会被认定无效；要是遇到拆迁补偿，钱先给产权登记人，你手里的协议难算数；而且政策一变，过户时要补的土地出让金、税费 ...

It isn’t every day that one can say Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR ) is offering an attractive valuation proposition. This is the kind of stock that typically trades at rich valuations relative to the broader market. That dynamic has flipped as of lateJulian is the leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks where he only shares positions in stocks which have a large probability of delivering large alpha relative to the S&P 500. He also combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation ...

Core Insights - Many homeowners express no regrets about paying off their mortgages, valuing the emotional relief and security it provides over potential investment gains [1][2][3] - Some individuals highlight that being debt-free allows for more aggressive investing and reduced stress in their lives [3] - A minority of commenters reflect on missed financial opportunities, suggesting that investing the funds used to pay off mortgages could have yielded significant returns [5][6] Emotional and Financial Perspectives - The emotional benefits of owning a home outright are emphasized, with many stating that the peace of mind outweighs financial considerations [2][6] - Homeowners who paid off their mortgages report feeling less stressed and more secure, especially during job loss situations [3] - The contrast between emotional satisfaction and financial efficiency is noted, with some acknowledging that paying off a mortgage may not have been the best financial decision [5][6] Investment Considerations - A few commenters regret not investing their mortgage payoff funds, citing substantial potential gains had they invested in the S&P 500 index fund instead [5][6] - The discussion highlights a broader debate on the balance between emotional security and financial strategy in personal finance decisions [5][6]

Group 1 - The article highlights Julian's leadership in the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks, focusing on stocks with a high probability of delivering significant alpha compared to the S&P 500 [1] - Julian employs a strategy that combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation criteria to enhance the conventional margin of safety [1] - The features of Julian's investment approach include exclusive access to high-conviction stock picks, comprehensive research reports, real-time trade alerts, macro market analysis, individual industry reports, a curated watchlist, and 24/7 community chat access [1] Group 2 - Julian Lin is identified as a financial analyst who specializes in finding undervalued companies with long-term growth potential [1] - The investment strategy focuses on companies with robust balance sheets and strong management teams, particularly in sectors with extended growth trajectories [1]

Market Sentiment - The Hong Kong residential property market is showing signs of mending investor sentiment, although analysts remain cautious about a full recovery due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [1] - Investors accounted for 20% of the market's total transactions in 2025, with certain districts near universities potentially having a higher proportion of investor activity [1] Rental Yields - The average gross rental yield for mass residential units in Hong Kong is 3.7%, which is appealing to mainland buyers [2] - Hong Kong's residential rents increased in August, with the rental index rising by 1.12%, marking the largest increment in 14 months, bringing it close to the record high of 200.1 recorded in August 2019 [6] Interest Rates and Economic Factors - Investor interest is being driven by expectations of further interest rate cuts and potential rent increases, with HSBC offering a fixed-rate mortgage plan at 2.73% per annum [3] - Following the US Federal Reserve's easing of policy rates, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority reduced the prime lending rates by 12.5 basis points on September 18 [4] Market Challenges - The Hong Kong economy faces challenges such as weak consumption, high vacancy rates in commercial buildings, and an oversupply of private residential units [5] - While rental yields may not be the most attractive incentive, lower residential flat prices could present a good entry point for investors seeking capital gains [6]

Group 1 - The phrase "buy odd, not even" originates from feng shui, suggesting that odd numbers are auspicious while even numbers are not, particularly in housing design [2][3] - There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the belief in "buy odd, not even," indicating it may reflect a mindset of caution among buyers rather than a factual basis [2] - Buyers are advised not to overly fixate on this belief when making purchasing decisions [2] Group 2 - When selecting a floor, factors such as comfort, health, lighting, and ventilation should be prioritized over superstitions [5][6] - Key recommendations for assessing natural lighting include evaluating during winter, checking midday sunlight, and considering the building's distance from others [5] - For new properties, buyers can assess the width and depth of the unit to gauge potential lighting quality [5][6] Group 3 - For tower buildings, it is suggested to choose floors above the 6th level, while for slab buildings, floors above the 3rd level are recommended [6] - Overall, the focus should be on practical factors like lighting, ventilation, and noise rather than adhering to the "buy odd, not even" belief [6]

Core Insights - Rent prices are increasing in various markets, but affordable options are still available in certain regions, particularly in the South and Midwest, with some apartments listed for under $1,000 [1][2] - Zillow's analysis indicates that 13 out of 100 tracked metros, or approximately 13%, have more than one-third of their apartments renting for less than $1,000 [2] - The housing market is experiencing a shift, with nearly 20% of American homes reducing prices, providing some relief to homeowners facing affordability challenges [3] Rent Affordability - Rent on a typical apartment has risen nearly 40% since 2019, creating financial pressure for both renters and homeowners [3] - Today's renters would need to allocate 5% of their income for almost nine years to afford a 10% down payment on a typical home, an increase from 7.4% since 2019 [5] - Moving to more affordable areas can significantly enhance long-term financial health and assist in saving for a future home [6] Affordable Rental Markets - Wichita, Kansas, has the highest percentage of apartments listed for under $1,000, with 54% of listings in this price range [8][11] - McAllen, Texas, follows closely with just over 50% of apartments priced below $1,000 [8][11] - Other notable metros with affordable options include Little Rock, Arkansas (49%), Toledo, Ohio (46%), and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (42%) [11] - In contrast, cities like Boston, Miami, and Washington, D.C., have less than 1.8% of listings renting for under $1,000, indicating a scarcity of affordable options in these markets [12]