U.S. home sales declined 6% year over year and 32% month over month in January, according to the latest REMAX National Housing Report.  

What’s driving the trend? High salaries that ease the financial burden on young movers, said researchers.

Increasingly, retirees value safety — both physical and financial. With one of the highest life expectancies in the nation at 80.5 years, Boston offers this and more to the over-65 crowd.

With mortgage rates approaching 6%, 5.5 million additional buyers that could not qualify for a mortgage one year ago would qualify at today’s lower rates, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

A blizzard-ridden January brought more than just snow to Boston.

“All parties need to shake the ‘Facebook Marketplace’ mentality when it comes to real estate,” said CCIAOR CEO Betsy Hanson.

Zillow’s Home Value Index shows that in 13 of the past 20 years, home values in the metro area of the Super Bowl champion grew faster than the national average.

Boston will experience the slowest multifamily inventory growth since 2013 this year, according to Marcus & Millichap’s 2026 Boston Multifamily Investment Forecast.

Middle-income seniors stand to be affected most by projected shortages — those who don’t qualify for subsidized housing but can’t afford new construction.

Affordability challenges continue to bedevil homebuyers, despite mortgage rates falling to a three-year low, the National Association of Home Builders reported. 

Sales of existing homes jumped 5.1% month over month, topping analyst expectations. 

Contract signings were up in all four U.S. regions. 

The NAHB’s monthly survey found the nation’s homebuilders remain optimistic about home sales next year. 

Geographically, trends varied widely, with formerly hot areas like Florida and the Southeast posting the deepest declines and formerly cool areas, like the Midwest, showing healthy gains.

By region, sales rose in the Midwest, Northeast and South but fell in the West. 

The chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS® also predicts home prices will climb 4% compared to 2025.