After two years of record-setting activity, there are signs the housing market might be cooling. High home prices and a surge in mortgage interest rates are slowing buyer activity, with home sales declining for the third consecutive month under the weight of soaring homeownership costs. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports existing home sales were down 2.4% from the previous month, while pending sales fell 3.9% as of last measure, extending the trend of recent months. Economists predict sales will continue to soften in the near future, which may put downward pressure on home prices.

The slowdown in sales has provided a much-needed lift to housing supply, with inventory up 10.8% from the previous month according to NAR, although supply

The Great Plains Regional MLS released its April 2022 data and here’s what it says:

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage exceeded 5% in April, the highest level since 2011, according to Freddie Mac. The recent surge in mortgage rates has reduced the pool of eligible buyers and has caused mortgage applications to decline, with a significant impact on refinance applications, which are down more than 70% compared to this time last year. As the rising costs of homeownership force many Americans to adjust their budgets, an increasing number of buyers are hoping to help offset the costs by moving from bigger, more expensive cities to smaller areas that offer a more affordable cost of living.

Affordability challenges are limiting buying activity, and

Nationally, existing home sales recently dropped to a 6-month low, falling 7.2% as buyers struggled to find a home amid rising prices and historic low inventory. Pending sales are also down, declining 4.1% as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Builders are working hard to ramp up production—the U.S. Census Bureau reports housing starts are up 22.3% compared to a year ago—but higher construction costs and increasing sales prices continue to hamper new home sales, despite high demand for additional supply.

Across the country, consumers are feeling the bite of inflation and surging mortgage interest rates, which recently hit 4.6% in March, according to Freddie Mac, rising 1.4 percent since January and the highest rate in

Here's an excerpt from the February 2022 report released by the Great Plains Regional MLS:

The U.S. real estate market remains hot ahead of the spring selling season, with existing home sales up 6.7% as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Experts attribute the growth in sales to an uptick in mortgage interest rates, as buyers rushed to lock down their home purchases before rates move higher. Mortgage rates have increased almost a full percentage point since December, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage briefly exceeding 4% in February, the highest level since May 2019.

Inventory was at an all-time low of 860,000 as February began, down 17% from a year ago and equivalent to 1.6 months supply. According to

The 2022 real estate market begins where 2021 left off, in which existing home sales reached their highest level since 2006, with the National Association of REALTORS® reporting sales were up 8.5% compared to the previous year as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. Home sales would’ve been even greater were it not for soaring sales prices and a shortage of homes for sale in many markets, forcing a multitude of buyers to temporarily put their home purchase plans on hold.

For many buyers, 2022 marks a new opportunity to make their home purchase dreams a reality. But it won’t be without its challenges. Inventory of existing homes was at 910,000 at the start of the new year, the lowest level recorded since 1999,

In an effort to move towards sustainability and to save money, many homeowners have been embracing thrifting for both furniture and décor alike. Not only can thrifted wares be a lovely addition to a home, but they also tend to be more affordable than many new options. The city of Omaha offers plenty in terms of re-purposed decor, furniture, and beyond. Here are some excellent options to inspire a thrifty journey.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Goodwill has multiple area locations, from Papillion to West Omaha to Council Bluffs. In fact, Goodwill has 17 area locations for shopping and donations, making it convenient from anywhere in the metro. While they mostly provide low-cost clothing, Goodwill also stocks area rugs, small appliances,

The 2021 housing market was one for the history books. After three consecutive months of increases recently, existing home sales are on pace to hit their highest level in 15 years, with an estimated 6 million homes sold in 2021 according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Sales prices reached new heights, inventory hit rock bottom, and homes sold in record time, often for well above asking price. Mortgage rates, which began the year at historic lows, remain attractive, and homeowners who choose to sell in the coming months can expect to see plenty of buyer activity due to pent-up demand during the pandemic.

Looking ahead, experts anticipate many of the housing market trends of 2021 will continue in 2022, albeit at a more moderate level. Strong

 
The economy is improving, unemployment is falling, and the U.S. real estate market remains strong as we head into the holiday season, a period when activity typically slows as people take time to travel, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones. Although the market is not as frenetic as was seen earlier this year, buyer demand is high, bolstered by attractive mortgage rates and a low supply of inventory.

The most recent data from the National Association of REALTORS® reports the median single-family existing home sales price rose 16% in the third quarter of this year to $363,700, with all four regions of the country experiencing double-digit price growth. In new construction, builder confidence increased in November, surpassing analyst expectations

Need to get your kids out of the house?

During winter months the weather outside can get a bit too chilly, and in the summer it can get way too hot. 

Don't you worry, we've got you covered. 

Here’s a list of Play Areas, Sports Complexes, and Playgrounds in the Omaha Area that are all INDOORS.

Approach Climbing Gym

4923 S 72nd Street, Omaha, NE 68127
402.502.5879
staff@omaharockgym.com

RATES
$33 – First Time Visitor Orientation (FTVO)
$18 – Open Climbing
$7/hour – Kids Room

10-Visit Pass
$162 – All Users
$50 – Kids Room (Ages 2-5)

All activities are by appointment only until further notice.

All first time visitors are required to participate in First Time Visitor Orientation (FTVO) covering all gym rules, necessary

The U.S. housing market remains robust, with strong activity reported across both rental and residential housing fronts. Single-family rent prices are increasing rapidly, as demand for single-family housing and inventory constraints forces some buyers to rent, increasing competition and pushing rents up across the nation. Meanwhile, sales of new construction single-family homes recently hit a six-month high, rising 14% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 800,000, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

As temperatures drop, existing home sales continue to be plentiful, buoyed by strong demand, low interest rates, and a slight uptick in new listings in recent months, according to the National Association of