U.S. Home Sales Likely to Hit Record High of $2.5 Trillion In 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Redfin forecasts a record $2.53 trillion in U.S. home sales for 2021, marking a 17% year-over-year increase. This surge is fueled by low mortgage rates and increased migration due to remote work. 60% of individuals expect to work from home at least part-time post-pandemic. The South is projected to lead with $1.09 trillion in sales, followed by the West at $696.3 billion. Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather notes that while rising mortgage rates could slow price growth, they might also balance the market, potentially increasing home sales further.

Positive

• Forecasts record home sales of $2.53 trillion in 2021, a 17% increase from 2020.
• The South expected to lead with $1.09 trillion in home sales.
• Strong demand due to low mortgage rates and migration trends.

Negative

• None.

SEATTLE, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Redfin forecasts a record $2.53 trillion worth of home sales in America in 2021—a 17% year-over-year gain that would mark the largest annual increase in percentage terms since 2013. Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage, made the prediction in a new report out today. To put $2.53 trillion into perspective, it's roughly equal to the value of Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc. combined, or the 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) of France. 

The U.S. housing market has undergone a meteoric rise during the coronavirus pandemic, fueled by record-low mortgage rates and a wave of migration made possible by remote work. Almost two-thirds (60%) of people expect to continue working from home at least part time after the pandemic, according to an April survey of Redfin.com visitors who have moved to a different metro area in the last year. These factors—alongside an acute housing shortage—helped March become the hottest month in housing history, with home values, price growth and selling speed all hitting new heights. 

In short, the combination of rising demand (home sales) and surging home prices is fueling the increase. While home prices could grow more slowly if mortgage rates rise, that would result in a more balanced housing market, which could actually lead to more home sales, according to Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. 

"We expect 2021 to be an even more active year for the housing market than 2020 because homebuyers have a better sense of what the future looks like," said Fairweather. "Employers are providing clarity on permanent remote-work policies, the economy is recovering and mortgage rates remain low. All of these factors mean that we'll likely see even more buyers enter the market this year and in 2022."

The South is expected to lead the way with $1.09 trillion of home sales forecast for 2021, followed by the West with $696.3 billion, the Midwest with $422.6 billion and the Northeast with $322.8 billion. 

The South has consistently held the top spot, but has inched further ahead in recent years. This is likely because it has more vacant land on which to build, and has attracted scores of out-of-town homebuyers who are in search of affordability and space, Fairweather said. Seven of the 10 U.S. metros with the biggest net inflows in the first quarter were in the South. Net inflow is a measure of how many more Redfin.com home searchers looked to move into a metro than leave.

"A lot of wealth from the coasts is shifting South," said Fairweather. "Affluent homebuyers from New York and San Francisco have moved to places like Florida and Texas during the pandemic, which has fueled home sales and driven up prices in those areas."

To read the full report, including additional charts and graphs, please visit: 
https://www.redfin.com/news/record-home-sales-forecast-2021 

About Redfin 
Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered real estate broker, instant home-buyer (iBuyer), lender, title insurer, and renovations company. We sell homes for more money and charge half the fee. We also run the country's #1 real-estate brokerage site. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Customers selling a home can take an instant cash offer from Redfin or have our renovations crew fix up their home to sell for top dollar. Since launching in 2006, we've saved customers nearly $1 billion in commissions. We serve more than 95 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 4,100 people. 

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, email press@redfin.com. To view Redfin's press center, click here.

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SOURCE Redfin

FAQ

What is Redfin's home sales forecast for 2021?

Redfin forecasts a record $2.53 trillion in U.S. home sales for 2021.

How much is the expected increase in home sales year-over-year?

Home sales are expected to increase by 17% year-over-year.

Which region in the U.S. is projected to have the highest home sales in 2021?

The South is projected to have the highest home sales, estimated at $1.09 trillion.

What factors are driving the increase in U.S. home sales?

The increase is driven by low mortgage rates and a rise in remote work leading to migration.

How does the expected home sales volume compare to major companies?

The $2.53 trillion in sales is roughly equal to the combined value of Amazon and Facebook.