Redfin Corporation - RDFN STOCK NEWS

Redfin reports a recovery in the housing market following a low in November. Homebuyer activity has increased, with requests for tours up 17% and contact with agents up 13% compared to November. While home tours and service requests are down 23% and 27% year-over-year, they show marked improvement from November's declines. Bidding wars are re-emerging in markets like Seattle and Florida, though overall demand is still lower than in early 2022. Mortgage rates have dropped to an average of 6.15%, reducing monthly payments by around $180. New listings fell 18% year-over-year as sellers remain cautious amid fluctuating buyer demand.

In Q4 2022, 24.6% of Redfin users sought to relocate to different metro areas, a rise from 22.1% the previous year, driven by remote work and high mortgage rates. However, overall homebuyer activity decreased, with pending home sales dropping over 30% YoY. The most popular relocation destinations included Sacramento and Las Vegas, both experiencing declines in net inflow. Economic uncertainty and elevated mortgage rates have restrained home sales, as many homeowners are hesitant to move due to low existing mortgage rates. Notably, San Francisco and Los Angeles saw significant net outflows as residents seek more affordable living options.

The latest data from Redfin reveals a 0.9% increase in the median U.S. home-sale price, now at $350,250, marking a significant monthly rise. The decline in mortgage rates to 6.15% has boosted mortgage applications by 25%. Although pending home sales dropped by 29% year-over-year, this is the first sub-30% drop in three months. New home listings fell by 20%, but the decrease is less severe than in previous months. Despite these positive trends, demand remains fragile as buyers continue to navigate the effects of inflation and potential rate hikes.

The housing market is experiencing the slowest sales pace since April 2020, with pending home sales at a record low, down 32% year-over-year. The average time a home stays on the market is 44 days, with inventory increasing. Despite high mortgage rates, early signs of demand are emerging with a 6% rise in Redfin's Homebuyer Demand Index and increased Google searches for homes for sale. The typical U.S. home price rose to $351,250, up 0.8% from last year but down 10% from June's peak. Notably, mortgage rates have declined to 6.33%, potentially reinvigorating buyer interest in 2023.

Redfin (NASDAQ: RDFN) has announced a new feature that provides energy cost estimates for over 85 million homes across the U.S., powered by a partnership with WattBuy. This addition allows users to better estimate their monthly electricity usage and bills, and evaluates potential savings from installing solar panels. This initiative aims to help homebuyers make informed decisions regarding living costs and sustainability. Redfin emphasizes the importance of transparent utility costs as part of its commitment to enhancing real estate information and promoting energy efficiency.

The Redfin rental report for December 2022 indicates a median U.S. asking rent increase of 4.8% year over year, reaching $1,979, the smallest rise since July 2021. Rent growth has consistently slowed for seven months, with a 1.4% month-over-month decline. Economic pressures like inflation and uncertainty are suppressing rental demand. Notably, rental prices have surged in cities like Salt Lake City (up 29.8%) while major metro areas like Minneapolis saw declines (down 8.5%).

Redfin reports a significant 32% drop in pending U.S. home sales year-over-year as of January 1, marking the lowest level since 2015. The market is facing challenges including high mortgage rates over 6%, limited new listings, and ongoing recession fears. Despite the decline in sales, U.S. home prices have increased marginally by 0.5% year-over-year, though prices fell in 19 of the 50 largest metros. The typical U.S. home sold for $350,000, with mortgage applications down 12% from previous weeks.

In Q4, sellers offered concessions to buyers in 41.9% of home sales, a record high per Redfin. This is an increase from 31% a year prior and reflects changing market dynamics due to higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. The trend highlights increased buyer negotiating power as home sales decline. Phoenix experienced the largest jump, with concessions offered in 62.9% of transactions. Conversely, Austin saw a decrease in concessions from 38.1% to 33.3%. The overall data suggests a shift back to pre-pandemic pricing norms as seller expectations adjust.

The housing market is experiencing an unprecedented surge in supply, with homes for sale increasing by 18% year-over-year, the largest rise since 2015. This uptick occurs despite a decline in new listings and homes taking longer to sell due to high mortgage rates, which have now averaged 6.42%. Redfin's Homebuyer Demand Index reflects a 14% increase in demand from October lows, although pending home sales are down 31.8% year-over-year. Prices fell in 17 out of the 50 largest U.S. metros, indicating a shift in buyer behavior amid economic uncertainty.