Home Sales and New Listings Decline Amid Rising Mortgage Rates
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 58 minutes ago
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Decline in New Listings: According to Zillow's May Market Report, new listings decreased by 0.8% month-over-month and are down 4.1% year-over-year, indicating sellers' cautious stance amid mortgage rates exceeding 6.5%, which may intensify market competition.
- Sales Trend Fluctuation: While sales rose by 4.8% month-over-month, they fell by 2.9% year-over-year, suggesting that the market has not yet returned to historical norms, potentially impacting the overall health of the real estate sector.
- Inventory Growth Continues: Inventory has increased for 30 consecutive months on a year-over-year basis, although the growth rate has slowed to just 1%, which may lead to a stabilization of inventory in the coming weeks, affecting buyer choices and market activity.
- Rising Mortgage Costs: The typical home value slightly increased by 0.6% to $368,720, with mortgage costs rising to $1,861, up 1.1% from April, which will further suppress homebuying demand and impact market recovery.
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Analyst Views on Z
Wall Street analysts forecast Z stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 35.510
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
Current: 35.510
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
About Z
Zillow Group, Inc. helps people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. The Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries, and brands include Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent, Zillow Home Loans, Zillow Rentals, Trulia, Out East, StreetEasy, HotPads, ShowingTime+, Spruce, and Follow Up Boss. It helps renters, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across all their residential real estate needs through its housing super app, which serves as an ecosystem of connected solutions for the tasks and services related to moving. It provides integrated transaction experience for movers through Zillow, its network of partners, its affiliated brands, and through a comprehensive suite of marketing software and technology solutions for the real estate industry, including ShowingTime+, Follow Up Boss and Spruce. It offers multifamily property managers a variety of advertising products.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Break-Even Period: Zillow's latest analysis reveals that the national break-even period for home buyers has decreased to six years, down from 8.4 years in October 2023, indicating improved market conditions that may attract more buyers.
- Regional Variations: In affordable Midwest cities like Columbus, buyers can break even in just four years, while in high-cost coastal markets like San Francisco, buying may never surpass renting, highlighting significant market dynamics across regions.
- Rent vs. Buy Decision: Zillow emphasizes that buying a home is not just a financial decision but also a lifestyle choice, particularly in high-price areas where buyers must weigh long-term stability against financial flexibility.
- Impact of Mortgage Rates: The current mortgage rates are crucial to buying decisions, as a 1% change could alter the buying landscape for millions of households, underscoring the importance of market conditions on potential buyers.
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- Decline in New Listings: According to Zillow's May Market Report, new listings decreased by 0.8% month-over-month and are down 4.1% year-over-year, indicating sellers' cautious stance amid mortgage rates exceeding 6.5%, which may intensify market competition.
- Sales Trend Fluctuation: While sales rose by 4.8% month-over-month, they fell by 2.9% year-over-year, suggesting that the market has not yet returned to historical norms, potentially impacting the overall health of the real estate sector.
- Inventory Growth Continues: Inventory has increased for 30 consecutive months on a year-over-year basis, although the growth rate has slowed to just 1%, which may lead to a stabilization of inventory in the coming weeks, affecting buyer choices and market activity.
- Rising Mortgage Costs: The typical home value slightly increased by 0.6% to $368,720, with mortgage costs rising to $1,861, up 1.1% from April, which will further suppress homebuying demand and impact market recovery.
See More
- 30-Year Fixed Rate Increase: According to Zillow data, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for purchases rose by 9 basis points to 6.37%, which will increase monthly payment burdens for buyers, potentially dampening housing demand and affecting market activity.
- Slight Rise in 15-Year Fixed Rate: The 15-year fixed mortgage rate increased by 3 basis points to 5.78%, and while the rise is modest, it may still lead to higher interest payments for borrowers, impacting their financial planning and home-buying decisions.
- Adjustable Rate Loan Changes: The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage saw a significant increase of 19 basis points to 6.54%, indicating that future monthly payments for borrowers may rise, adding financial risk, especially in a rising rate environment.
- Refinance Rate Situation: The 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.34%, reflecting increased refinancing costs, which may prompt borrowers to consider shorter loan terms to secure lower rates, thereby affecting overall market liquidity.
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- Index Inclusion Market Reaction: Opendoor Technologies announced its inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index effective June 26, leading to a 1.88% increase in stock price to $5.41, reflecting positive investor sentiment despite ongoing challenges in the housing market.
- Significant Trading Volume Surge: The company's trading volume reached 56.4 million shares, approximately 51% above the three-month average of 37.4 million shares, indicating heightened market interest and potentially increased liquidity for future trading.
- Financial Performance Insights: Opendoor reported first-quarter revenue of $720 million, which, despite a 37.6% year-over-year decline, exceeded expectations, suggesting a degree of market demand resilience, with investors keenly watching for a break-even on adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter.
- Investor Confidence Challenge: While Opendoor's stock rose due to index inclusion, analysts noted it was not recommended by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, reflecting a cautious market outlook on its long-term growth potential, prompting investors to monitor the effectiveness of its software and AI-focused turnaround strategy.
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- Index Inclusion Market Reaction: Opendoor Technologies announced its inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index effective June 26, leading to a 1.88% increase in stock price to $5.41, reflecting positive investor sentiment towards index-driven buying despite ongoing challenges in the housing market.
- Significant Volume Surge: The company experienced a trading volume of 56.4 million shares, approximately 51% above the three-month average of 37.4 million shares, indicating heightened market interest in its future performance and potentially supporting increased trading activity.
- Financial Performance Analysis: Opendoor reported first-quarter revenue of $720 million, which, despite a 37.6% year-over-year decline, exceeded expectations, demonstrating some revenue resilience in a challenging market, with investors looking for a break-even on adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter.
- Strategic Transformation Challenges: While index inclusion may boost short-term trading activity, the company faces ongoing operational challenges, particularly in a sluggish housing market, prompting investors to closely monitor the execution of its software and AI-driven turnaround strategy.
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- Securities Claims Investigation: Rosen Law Firm is investigating potential securities claims against Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z, ZG) for allegedly issuing materially misleading business information, indicating significant legal risks that could impact the company's stock performance.
- Class Action Preparation: The firm is preparing a class action to seek recovery for investors who purchased Zillow securities, highlighting investor concerns over the company's transparency and potentially leading to stricter regulatory scrutiny in the future.
- FTC Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Zillow for an unlawful agreement with Redfin to suppress rental advertising competition, resulting in a 4.6% drop in Zillow's Class C stock on October 1, 2025, reflecting market apprehension regarding the company's compliance.
- Law Firm Reputation: Rosen Law Firm is renowned for its successful track record in securities class actions, having recovered over $438 million for investors in 2019 alone, demonstrating its leadership in the industry and potentially attracting more investors seeking legal support.
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