We’re officially halfway through 2025, and if a move is still on your radar—whether you’re thinking of buying or selling—a quick market update could help you make a confident decision. While there’s no shortage of dramatic headlines out there, the truth about today’s housing market is far more nuanced and local than national averages may suggest.

Home Price Growth Is Slowing – But Not Stopping

Let’s start with the big picture. According to data from Realtor.com, Fannie Mae, CoreLogic, Wells Fargo, and others, home prices are still expected to rise nationally, but at a much slower and more sustainable pace than we've seen in recent years. Here’s what the experts are forecasting for home price changes in 2025:

• HPES: +3.4%

• Fannie Mae: +3.0%

• Realtor.com: +2.8%

• Wells Fargo: +2.5%

• CoreLogic: +2.1%

• MBA: +1.3%

• NAR: +1.0%

• Redfin: -1.0%

• Zillow: -2.0%

While the average forecast comes in at around 1.5%, some markets are expected to see stronger gains, while others may flatten out or dip slightly. The takeaway? This is not a crash—just a cool-down.

National Trends Don’t Tell the Whole Story

It’s tempting to take national trends at face value, but the reality is real estate is hyper-local. Just because prices are softening on average doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in your neighborhood. In fact, some areas are still seeing high demand and rising home values, while others are experiencing a brief pause in activity.

As Realtor.com emphasizes:

“The national market might be cooling, but the story varies neighborhood to neighborhood.”

That’s why relying solely on the headlines can be misleading. The best approach is to stay informed about local conditions—supply, demand, price trends, and how those factors compare to pre-pandemic norms.

Why It Pays To Work With a Local Expert

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, or thinking about selling, now is the time to lean on a local real estate pro—someone who understands the nuances of your specific area.

An experienced agent can help you:

• Decode local price trends vs. national headlines

• Evaluate how your neighborhood compares to pre-2020 market dynamics

• Make informed decisions based on hyper-local data, not general assumptions

As the market transitions, expert guidance is more critical than ever to help you navigate pricing strategies, timing, and opportunities unique to your zip code.