Market Pulse March 2025: Spring’s almost here — will the housing market bloom?

As flowers bloom and days grow longer, the spring real estate market is starting to pick up in activity. With mortgage rates finally showing some signs of easing, buyers and sellers alike may just find their pot of gold this spring. Here are the opportunities and challenges happening in the market as we kick off the spring season.

Lucky Charms for Home Sellers and Buyers

• Mortgage Rates Are Dropping: Rates have come down 0.5% over the past month, now averaging between 6.625% and 6.75%.
• Refinance Opportunities: Homeowners with mortgage rates at 7.5% or higher could explore refinancing, with potential to refinance multiple times if rates keep falling.
• Cost-Saving Refi Tip: “Ask for a ‘no point, no cost’ refinance,” advises Brady Thomas of LaSalle Mortgage, where the lender covers all closing costs.
• Lower Rates Bring More Buyers: As rates ease, more buyers are likely to return, with home sales expected to pick up by late spring or early summer.

Challenges in the Current Market

• Market Sluggishness: Early 2025 is still showing the effects of late 2024’s rate spike, with sluggish home sales so far.
• Consumer Caution: Rising income and savings rates combined with declining consumer confidence suggest some buyers may remain hesitant.
• Tariffs Affecting Construction and Renovation: New tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods—like lumber— and on steel and aluminum could increase construction costs and push home prices higher.

Sources: Brady Thomas - LaSalle Mortgage, Realtor.com

East Bay Market Snapshots: Single family homes, condos, and townhomes as of March 2025

Here are the latest market stats from around the East Bay for single family homes, condos, and townhome sales as of March 2025.

Alameda County - Single Family Homes

Alameda County - Condos & Townhomes

Contra Costa County - Single-Family Homes

 

 

Contra Costa County - Condos & Townhomes

 

Sources: Bay East Association of Realtors and Contra Costa Association of Realtors.

---

Don’t see your city of interest here? Get in touch with us at marketing@abioproperties.com.