How Much Is Your Home Worth?
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As we dive into June, the housing market is showing signs of subtle but meaningful shifts. With interest rates holding steady and both buyers and sellers making strategic moves, now is a critical time to understand what’s happening—and how you can take advantage of it.
Let’s start with the obvious: rates are staying put. According to the CME FedWatch tool, there's a 99.9% chance the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at the upcoming June 18 meeting. For most of us, this isn't breaking news—but it’s notable that many buyers seem to be adjusting to this high-rate environment.
Mortgage applications are on the rise. While this doesn’t mean everyone’s writing offers, it does suggest more buyers are exploring their options and getting pre-approved. In essence, curiosity is turning into intention. This is promising for sellers, but also a signal to buyers: if you’ve been on the fence, now might be the time to learn what you can afford and start preparing to act.
Active inventory in both Ada and Canyon Counties has reached its highest point this year, but pending contracts have plateaued. More homes are hitting the market than are being sold, creating a surplus of inventory and resulting in an increasing number of price reductions.
Consider this: during the last week of May, 570 homes dropped their prices. The following week, 400 more followed. Just last week, another 460 homes made cuts. That means roughly 18-20% of listings are lowering prices weekly just to attract buyers.
With more competition, sellers can’t afford to blend in. Marketing, presentation, and—perhaps most importantly—pricing are more crucial than ever. A favorite real estate adage sums it up well: the price you set either sells your home or sells the home down the street.
Data from the National Association of Realtors underscores the importance of presentation. According to their research, the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom are the most influential spaces when it comes to staging. While full-home staging can be pricey, focusing on these key rooms can make a major impact.
Pricing too high can cost you. Let’s say a home is worth around $500,000. If priced slightly above market at $525,000, it may sit for over 120 days and ultimately sell for $450,000. Meanwhile, a comparable home priced right at $500,000 might still take 30 days to sell but will likely close around $467,000.
That’s a $17,000 loss for the seller who tried to gain a $25,000 premium. The longer your home lingers on the market, the more likely you’ll be forced to accept a lower price—something many sellers learn the hard way.
For buyers, the current environment presents a unique opportunity. With more inventory, there’s room to negotiate. Price cuts, closing cost contributions, and flexible terms are all on the table. But be warned—many homes that go under contract are returning to market after inspections. With so many options available, buyers are quick to walk if they feel spooked by inspection findings.
That means sellers should also consider pre-inspections and other “foolproofing” strategies to prevent deals from falling apart at the last minute.
Looking at the broader scope, 2023 and 2024 saw fewer home sales than even 2008 and 1995—two of the biggest housing downturns in recent history. This year, we’re tracking similarly with a relatively flat market overall. That said, if interest rates dip below 6%, expect buyer demand to skyrocket and much of the current inventory to disappear quickly.
So if you’re thinking of making a move, now might be your best window—while rates are stable and options are plentiful.
Finally, don’t forget—our annual backyard concert is happening this Friday, June 13th! It’s one of our favorite events of the year, and we can’t wait to see many of you there. Want to join the fun next year? Leave a comment and we’ll make sure you’re on the invite list!
Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply watching the market, we’re here to guide you through it.