Redfin Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

Redfin reports an increase in price drops for homes across the U.S., particularly in Utah and other Western metro areas. In May, nearly 50% of homes in Provo and Tacoma saw price reductions. Buyers are retreating due to rising mortgage rates and high inflation, leading sellers to adjust expectations. The national share of price drops reached a record high, indicating a cooling housing market. Prices surged during the pandemic, but migration trends are reversing, with many newcomers now leaving.

A new report from Redfin reveals that homebuyers with a $2,500 monthly budget have lost nearly $120,000 in purchasing power due to rising mortgage rates, now around 6%. This budget now allows for the purchase of a $399,750 home compared to $517,500 at the end of last year when rates were at 3%. Currently, 45.6% of homes are affordable with this budget at the new rate, a drop from 61.6% if rates remained at 3%. The rise in rates is cooling the housing market and may hinder seller activity as many prefer to keep their lower rates.

Redfin reported a 3% month-over-month decline in home sales for May, marking the second drop on record outside 2020. Home prices increased by just 1.5%, the smallest May rise since 2012, with median sale prices at $430,600. Mortgage rates reached 5.23%, their highest since 2009, contributing to a tight housing market and decreased inventory. Despite an overall 10.2% decline in year-over-year home sales, existing homeowners hold record high equity. The market is expected to slow further into fall as buyers face reduced competition.

Redfin reports a significant drop in homebuyer competition in May 2022, with only 57.8% of offers facing competition, the lowest since February 2021. This marks a decline from 60.9% in April and 68.8% in May 2021. The typical monthly mortgage payment has surged to $2,514, up 49% year over year, as mortgage rates rise to 5.78%. Redfin anticipates that competition will fall below 50% by year-end. Notably, Providence, Riverside, and Raleigh saw the largest declines in bidding wars.

The latest report from Redfin reveals the highest recorded share of home sellers reducing their list prices as mortgage rates surge to levels not seen since 2008. The typical monthly payment for a 30-year mortgage now stands at $2,514, a 49% increase year-over-year. Homebuyer demand has significantly cooled, leading to increased price drops and longer market durations for properties. Key metrics indicate a 14% year-over-year rise in median home sale prices, while pending sales dropped by 8%. The report suggests that many homeowners may choose to stay in their current homes due to higher new mortgage rates.

Redfin reports a decline in real estate investor purchases, down 11.5% from Q4 2021 and 16.5% from Q3 2021. However, investors purchased 20% of homes sold in Q1 2022, up from 19.2% in the prior quarter, indicating an increased market share despite fewer transactions. Investor activity is attributed to high demand for rental properties amidst soaring rents. Atlanta saw the largest drop in investor purchases at -25.3%, while low-priced homes saw an increase in investor interest, at a record 25.3% of such purchases.

According to a recent report from Redfin, a record 32.3% of homebuyers are looking to relocate to different metro areas, driven by affordability concerns as housing prices and mortgage rates escalate. Popular destinations include Miami and Tampa, with Tampa emerging as a top choice due to its comparatively lower home prices, averaging $370,000. In contrast, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles witness a significant outflow of homebuyers. The trend reflects a shift as remote work allows more individuals to move to affordable regions, impacting the housing market dynamics.

The latest analysis from Redfin indicates that homebuyer budgets are nearly flat, rising only 0.3% year-over-year as of April 30. This is the lowest growth rate since June 2020, suggesting a cooling in home price growth is imminent. The analysis highlights that high mortgage rates are limiting buyers' purchasing power, with budgets declining every month since December 2021. Sellers are responding to this trend, with 21% lowering their asking prices recently. The significant slowdown in budget growth may lead to a further decrease in home price growth in the coming months.

Redfin reports a 17.8% year-over-year decline in luxury home sales for the three months ending April 30, the steepest drop since the pandemic's onset. Meanwhile, non-luxury home sales decreased by 5.4%. Contributing factors include rising mortgage rates, a slumping stock market, and overall economic uncertainty. The average 30-year mortgage rate is currently at 5.23%, down from a peak of 5.3% but significantly higher than last year's 3.11%. However, the median sale price for luxury homes rose 19.8% to $1.15 million.