How South Park Accidentally Predicted the 2025 Housing Market

Sometimes cartoons explain the world better than experts do, and South Park might have done exactly that. In one of their iconic real estate–themed episodes, they made jokes that ended up landing a little too close to home for what we’re seeing in the 2025 housing market. Today, we’re breaking down four things they hilariously got right—and one thing I think they got wrong.

What They Got Right: Becoming an Agent Is Almost Too Easy

One of the funniest (and most painfully accurate) jokes was about how easy it is to get a real estate license. As they put it, “If my mom can be a real estate agent, anyone can.”

And honestly… they’re not wrong.

The barrier to entry is incredibly low. About two weeks of classes, a couple of tests, and suddenly someone is licensed to handle one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

What’s even more shocking is the data behind the profession:

• 5% of agents do over 90% of the business

• 95% of agents do less than 5%

• And in 2024, 76% of agents closedzerodeals

If you expect skill, experience, and professionalism from your doctor, your CPA, or your attorney, the same should be true of your real estate agent. Experience matters—especially in a market shifting as fast as this one.

House Flipping: The Craze That Got Out of Control

Another South Park jab landed squarely on the frenzy surrounding house flipping.

During 2021 and 2022, cheap interest rates fueled a flipping boom. Prices climbed every month, and properties were selling so fast that even poorly done flips were getting snatched up. I remember walking buyers through homes that flippers had owned for just 30–90 days—updated paint, flooring, countertops… but lurking beneath the surface, the infrastructure was a mess.

As someone who actively looks for distressed properties, I still love taking something old and bringing it back to life. Our recent fourplex renovation included a new roof, electrical, water heaters, and furnaces. It’s incredibly rewarding—but not easy. Flipping can be profitable, but it’s also risky, expensive, and full of surprises.

Lending Confusion: The Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Dilemma

South Park also poked fun at the chaos of lending—and honestly, lending can feel like a dark art for many buyers.

In 2008, the big issue was subprime loans. Today, it’s the rise of ARM loans (adjustable-rate mortgages). For buyers unfamiliar with how they work, ARMs can be confusing or even scary. But they’re not always a bad thing.

Right now, interest rates sit around 6–7%. Some lenders may offer an ARM at 3–4% for the first three years. For buyers who expect rates to eventually come back down, this can be a strategic move. You take the lower rate now, then refinance into a fixed mortgage later—as long as you understand the fine print.

If a loan sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But when used smartly, ARMs can be beneficial in a high-rate environment.

HOA Drama: When Neighbors Turn Against Each Other

Another funny-but-true South Park moment centered on neighborhood drama—and wow, did they nail it.

About 74 million Americans live under HOA governance. These associations, run by neighbors, can dictate everything from paint colors to landscaping to how long a car can sit in your driveway.

In 2024 alone, HOA-related lawsuits topped $100 million.

Since the pandemic, people crave privacy and control more than ever, which has only heightened tensions. HOAs can keep neighborhoods clean and consistent—but they can also overreach, micromanage, and spark endless drama.

If you’re buying into an HOA, read the CC&Rs carefully. They determine what youcanandcannotdo on your own property.

Renting vs. Buying: The One Joke They Got Wrong

South Park joked that renting is more affordable than buying—and in today’s market, with 7% interest rates, that’s actually truein the short term.Renting a three-bedroom home often costs less per month than owning one.

But here’s what I believe the show missed:

Renting is 100% interest. Every dollar you spend goes to someone else.

When you own a home:

• Part of your payment becomes equity

• You benefit from appreciation

• You gain tax advantages

• You have control over your space

• Your long-term net worth grows

The median net worth of renters is ten times lower than that of homeowners. And despite fears of a new bubble, the data simply doesn’t support it. Foreclosures are at historic lows, inventory has not surged, and 76% of homeowners have more than 50% equity in their property. Another 36% own their home outright.

In today’s market, buyers often have more negotiating power—closing costs, price reductions, or incentives that weren’t available during the frenzy of 2021–2022.

Rent if you must, but make your long-term goal ownership.

Final Thoughts

South Park may joke, but they weren’t too far off on a lot of real estate truths. The industry is full of quirks—some funny, some frustrating, and some incredibly important to understand if you want to build wealth and stability.