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Holding Strong
How steady rates are helping buyers
#115
WELCOME
Black Friday is a well-timed reminder that nothing breathes new life into a stale listing like a strategically planned markdown.
Aside from the positive psychological signal that crossed-out number sends buyers—now it’s $5,000 off? It’s on sale!—every price reduction sends a notification straight to iPhones and inboxes across your city, reaching more buyers in less time than a sign, newsletter, or email blast ever could.
ICYMI, last month Glennda shared her genius strategy for rethinking markdowns in tough markets. Give it a read here, then come straight back for this week’s biggest headlines and real estate updates.
Looking for real-time real estate information? Want educational resources you can tap for constant fresh content? Wish you had a single source for the biggest market stories the minute they happen? Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media, is on a mission to give agents just that through HousingWire and RealTrends—resource-packed sites for all housing professionals. Hear how Clayton is making crucial market information readable and instantly accessible—plus how agents can apply these insights to their daily business efforts—in this tactical episode of Glennda’s Guru.
TRACK THE MARKET: Housing demand holds strong
The housing market looks to be closing out 2025 stronger than experts expected. Existing home sales have logged four straight months of year-over-year growth, pending sales activity has hit a multiyear high for this season, and steady mortgage rates have kept demand up. With rates holding below 6.64% for 16 consecutive weeks, it seems that buyers have more confidence, sellers are getting more showings, and the overall pace of the market is stronger than it was at this time last year.
By the numbers:
Weekly pending sales reached 58,612 last week, up from 55,862 a year ago.
Purchase applications posted a 26% year-over-year increase, marking 16 straight weeks of double-digit annual growth.
Inventory is still up 15.5% year over year, despite seasonal declines, giving buyers more options than in late 2024.
Steady mortgage interest rates and stable demand are likely to create more opportunities for agents in 2026, especially if additional rate cuts come in the new year. Buyers who choose to sit 2025 out are becoming more realistic, sellers are motivated, and inventory is up nationwide—making Q1 one with strong potential.
DIVE IN
The Friday Five
📖 Ikea for adults. The affordable Ikea pieces that actually hold up (and don’t belong in a dorm).
👀 Hollywood heritage. If you love all things MCM, you’ll swoon for Jennifer Aniston’s Bel Air mansion.
👀 The Hadid home. See inside Yolanda Hadid’s Pennsylvania farm—first deeded for just $46.
💡 Selling superstitions. Why some new NYC apartment buildings are bringing back the 13th floor.
💡 Cold calling tips. David Parnes’ best advice for opening a cold call with confidence.
WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA
Mansions, Martinis, and… Mayhem!
Your favorite tell-all YouTube series is back by popular demand—more salty and scandalous than ever. Join Josh Flagg and Tracy Tutor for Mansions & Martinis, where they take turns rating custom-crafted cocktails and trading unbelievably honest answers to the audience’s burning questions. Which of Tracy’s exes did Josh hate the most? Why did James and David really end their partnership? Have Josh and Tracy truly recovered from their epic on-screen fight? Find out in the launch episode of a dramatic Season Two.
FEATURED LUXURY LISTING
TIPS & TAKEAWAYS
When to chase the deal—and when to pay the premium
Rental investors and home flippers struggle with the same question: when is an investment property worth paying full price for, and when is a steal-of-a-deal the only way to turn a profit? The Playbook recently took a deep dive into the stats and research that reveal exactly which markets investors can afford to pay full price in, and which take a little more patience or fixer-upper energy.
Tap here to find out where investors are getting the biggest discounts and payoffs, plus advice for just how high (or low) you should go.
HANGS & HAPPENINGS
Inman Connect | New York City, NY | February 3 - 5, 2026
The biggest names in real estate share their secrets to success with our attendees in curated sessions that will equip you with the skills to level up.
Before we go…
ESTATE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
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