Why this is a huge week for real estate news

Huge week ahead

We’re always keeping a watch on the latest real estate news, and this week will certainly be no exception.

Between the Fed meeting and the slew of economic reports, there is a lot to watch in the market. We’re going to give you a brief primer on what’s on the horizon.

Make sure to come back here Friday as we will unpack it all. 

Until then, let’s take a look at the week ahead, and the rest of today’s Blueprint!

- James and David

What we’re keeping an eye on this week

This week is definitely one to watch. In addition to the very important Fed meeting, a variety of economic reports are going to drop nearly every day, all of which could have a significant effect on mortgage rates and the housing market. We want to help you prepare by briefly previewing them and giving you a guide on what to expect. 

• Tuesday

  • Retail sales: Growth expected to cool to +0.4% (from +0.5%). Slower consumer spending could ease inflation pressure.

  • Industrial production: Forecast: –0.1%, matching last month. Another sign of softer growth.

  • Housing data: The NAHB housing market index will update builder sentiment.

• Wednesday 

  • Housing starts and building permits: Starts likely to dip, permits to hold flat. This points to a steady, but not growing, supply.

  • Fed meeting: A 25 bps cut is already baked in, so mortgage rates may not move right away. The real driver will be the Fed’s “dot plot” and Powell’s press conference. Markets expect more cuts than the Fed is signaling.

• Thursday

  • Unemployment insurance claims: Should return near 240K after last week’s Texas fraud-driven spike. A reminder that layoffs remain contained, even as hiring cools.

Our take

Markets move on expectations as much as outcomes. We know the Fed’s quarter-point cut is already priced in, so mortgage rates may not budge on Wednesday. What really matters is whether Fed chair Jerome Powell says more cuts are coming or not. At the same time, we can see what’s happening currently. The economy is losing momentum between weaker retail sales, soft industrial production, and cautious housing data. Rates could drift lower if those numbers keep cooling, but that doesn’t mean we’ll see a uniform effect across the market. Use this guide to keep clients informed and position yourself as their go-to resource this week.

Quiet luxury: the new trend reshaping high-end real estate

Even among the wealthiest buyers, there is a shift away from flashy megamansions toward “quiet luxury”-- homes that prioritize comfort, authenticity, and emotional fulfillment over size or prestige. According to realtor.com, this trend reflects fatigue with soaring costs, heavy upkeep, and social pressures. Buyers are increasingly seeking retreats where family memories and peace of mind matter more than status symbols. Here are the other key points to know:

• Shift in demand: Luxury buyers are moving away from sprawling estates in destinations like the Hamptons, Aspen, and Palm Beach toward smaller, easier-to-maintain homes that feel personal and meaningful.

• Defining “quiet luxury”: It’s less about price tags and more about the experience—dinners on a quiet deck, waterfront views, or hidden neighborhoods that offer tranquility without fanfare.

• Case study: Bethenny Frankel left a $5.5M Hamptons farmhouse for a Miami waterfront condo, opting for amenities and low-maintenance living instead of a gated megamansion.

• Market trend: Lesser-known towns (e.g., Remsenburg, Westhampton, Quogue, Bayport) are attracting buyers priced out—or worn out—by headline destinations, while still offering the Hamptons lifestyle at more approachable price points.

• Changing buyer psychology: Families once budgeting $10M for prime Hamptons real estate are instead choosing $4M fixer-uppers in quieter areas, prioritizing family time and authentic experiences over high-profile addresses.

Our take

The “quiet luxury” trend is real, but it’s only part of the story. While some buyers are moving toward low-maintenance homes, the ultra-luxe market is also thriving, with $30M+ sales continuing to boom. That’s a good lesson in real estate–both shifts can exist simultaneously, with neither canceling out the other. The agents who succeed will be those who can navigate both sides: helping clients find contentment in quiet luxury, while also guiding others into high-profile trophy properties.

Mortgage-free homeownership reaches new peak

A record 40.3% of U.S. owner-occupied housing units are now mortgage-free, according to ResiClub’s analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. That’s up from 39.8% in 2023, and well above the 32.8% recorded in 2010. The share of homeowners without a mortgage has inched upward almost every year for the past decade and a half.

Demographics are the biggest driver of this trend. Older homeowners are far more likely to be mortgage-free, and as Baby Boomers age, they are pushing the national share higher. ResiClub notes that 54% of the 35 million mortgage-free homeowners are 65 or older.

Here’s a breakdown of owner-occupied homes without a mortgage by age group:

1. Age 15 - 34: 1.7M

2. Age 35 - 44: 2.8M

3. Age 45 - 54: 4.1M

4. Age 55 - 64: 7.5M

5. Age 65 - 74: 9.9M

6. Age 75+: 9M

While age is the biggest factor, geography also plays a role. Regions with lower home values and older populations tend to have higher rates of mortgage-free ownership. 

Here are the metros with the highest and lowest percentage of mortgage-free homeowners:

Our take

The rise in mortgage-free homeownership underscores the growing influence of demographics on the housing market. As Baby Boomers age, more homes are being owned outright, shifting the balance of equity and liquidity in real estate. While this provides stability for many households, it also means a larger share of wealth is tied up in housing. For agents and lenders, the opportunity lies in helping older homeowners unlock that equity – whether through downsizing, reverse mortgages, or equity products – while also guiding younger buyers who remain more dependent on financing.

Schematics

The news that just missed the cut

• Remote work is slowly pulling back: here’s what it means for the housing market

• Use these ChatGPT hacks if you’re an agent 

• Best real estate apps for agents according to The Close

• How to get found on Google and train AI to see you as the local expert

• This is the mindset you need to carry yourself with as an agent

Stop sending sellers and buyers market reports they'll never open. Go to altosresearch.com to generate a free report to see exactly what your clients are missing: Beautiful market reports designed to win more listings.

Foundation Plans

Advice from James and David to win the day

As you know, we are in the midst of an extensive series on lead generation and pipeline maintenance. It’s so important to put in place habits and systems to translate these leads into actual sales. Today, we’d like to give you tips on how to build those habits:

1. Put everything on your calendar and follow it – A calendar only works if you actually keep track of what’s in there. High-performing agents block everything – from client appointments to family obligations – and color-code them so priorities are clear at a glance. When disruptions happen, don’t throw your schedule out the window; instead, move the block and still get it done. This kind of dynamic prioritization keeps you flexible without losing control of your day. Remember: a calendar that isn’t followed is no better than having no plan at all.

2. Keep your pipeline top of mind – The key to avoiding the feast-or-famine cycle in real estate is to maintain a consistent pipeline. One proven system is to set a minimum number of active prospects (for example, 30) and review them regularly. Successful agents run through leads in their CRM at least twice a week, update notes, assign tasks, and create an action list. When your pipeline dips below your goal, it’s a clear signal to double down on outreach. When it’s full, you can lean into nurturing. This discipline smooths out income swings and keeps deals flowing.

3. Start fresh each week – The worst way to start Monday is knowing you’re already behind. That’s why a weekly reset is so powerful. Take 30 minutes on Sunday to review the past week, identify wins and misses, and make adjustments. Look ahead at your calendar to ensure it reflects all your obligations and priorities. Finally, map out marketing tasks, client touches, and follow-ups, making sure they’re time-blocked so execution isn’t left to chance. A simple reset ensures you enter the week confident, focused, and ready to perform.

4. Track your numbers like a hawk – Productivity isn’t just about time; it’s also about tracking. Keep a running spreadsheet of your transactions, pipeline prospects, and goals, and review it consistently. The numbers give you an honest snapshot of where you stand. Good numbers can motivate you to push harder, while weaker numbers highlight exactly where you need to course-correct. Either way, clarity around your metrics ensures you never drift or lose sight of your targets.

For more tips, we highly recommend the excellent advice Katie Lucie gives here. Her approach influenced our own thinking, and we encourage you to check out her full piece.

Just in Case

Keep the latest industry data in your back pocket with today’s mortgage rates:

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

We can’t emphasize Emerson’s advice enough. Take ownership of your life, friends. What you’re not changing, you’re choosing. Whatever your goal, the path is the same: make the move. Decide to become the person you want to be, and then act. Don’t just think about it.

Have an enjoyable and productive week, and we’ll see you back here on Friday!

- James and David