The Market’s Turning — Are You Ready? 

What Compass’ Chief Economist Says to Watch in the Second Half of 2025

If you’ve been feeling like 2025 has been full of mixed signals in the housing market, you’re not alone. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Mike Simonsen as Compass’ new Chief Economist and the host of Compass Intelligence, a new YouTube show breaking down what the data really means for buyers, sellers, and agents.

In the first episode, Mike outlines two big trends to watch for the second half of the year. And if you’re thinking about making a move, here’s what you should know.

Trend #1: Home Sales Are Rebounding

After a sluggish start to 2025, home sales are beginning to show life again. According to Mike, weekly pending sales have averaged 5% year-over-year growth for the past two months. That’s a solid signal that the market is turning a corner — and it’s likely that July and August will show positive sales growth for the first time in over a year.

For buyers, this means competition could start heating up again as more people return to the market. For sellers, it’s an opportunity — but timing and pricing strategy are more important than ever.

Trend #2: Inventory is Up, But Price Growth is Slowing

Here’s where it gets more complicated.

Even as sales rise, unsold inventory is also growing — and that’s putting downward pressure on prices. Nationally, home prices are up just 1% compared to 2024, and over 41% of active listings have taken price reductions. In other words: homes are selling, but only when priced right.

More inventory means more choices for buyers, but also more competition for sellers. This is especially true in markets like Brooklyn, where we’re seeing price sensitivity tied closely to interest rate changes and buyer behavior. Buyers today are strategic. They're analyzing value more than ever, and they're not rushing into overpaying.

Smart Strategy Matters More Than Ever

If you’re thinking of selling this fall, your pricing and marketing plan has to be razor sharp. That’s why we rely on Compass’ 3-Phase Marketing Strategy:

1. Pre-Market Testing – Get early feedback before going live

2. Premium Launch – Maximize exposure with a professional rollout

3. Precision Adjustments – Tweak strategy using live market data
   
   

This data-backed approach gives sellers an edge in a market where overpricing leads to markdowns, and days on market can quietly cost you thousands.

What This Means for You

As we head into the fall season — historically one of the most active times of the year — we’re in a unique window of opportunity. The market is shifting. Sales are picking up, but only the best-prepared homes will sell quickly and close strong.

Whether you’re buying or selling, you need an agent who understands where the market is headed — not just where it’s been.

The market’s turning. Are you ready to move smart? Let’s talk about strategy.