As a REALTOR® keeping a close eye on economic trends, I wanted to break down four key reports being released this week that could impact the real estate market — not just nationally, but right here in Massachusetts.
From buyer confidence to mortgage rates, these data points offer a clearer view into where the market might be headed.
🏠 1. Existing Home Sales (Wednesday, July 23rd)
The National Association of REALTORS® will release its monthly report on existing home sales for June. These sales represent over 90% of all residential transactions in the U.S. and provide one of the most accurate snapshots of buyer activity.
What to expect:
June’s numbers are forecasted to dip slightly to 4 million from 4.03 million in May. This reflects the continued impact of high interest rates, economic uncertainty, and low inventory.
Why it matters:
Slower sales suggest buyers may be holding back — but it can also mean less competition for those ready to move forward.
🏗️ 2. New Home Sales (Thursday, July 24th)
The U.S. Census Bureau will report on newly constructed home sales for June. These are homes built and sold directly by developers — not resales.
What to expect:
Sales are projected to rise to 650,000, up from 623,000 in May, signaling that builders may be filling the inventory gap in a resale-constrained market.
Why it matters:
More new construction gives buyers options — especially first-timers or those priced out of existing homes — and can cool pricing pressure in some markets.
📉 3. Initial Jobless Claims (Thursday, July 24th)
The Department of Labor will release the weekly count of new unemployment filings — a leading indicator of the labor market.
Why it matters for real estate:
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Rising claims = more layoffs = lower consumer confidence.
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When people feel uncertain about their income, they’re less likely to buy a home.
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On the flip side, if the labor market weakens too much, it could push the Federal Reserve to pause or lower interest rates, which would help bring down mortgage rates and increase affordability.
🏭 4. Durable Goods Orders (Friday, July 25th)
This report tracks big-ticket purchases like appliances, machinery, and vehicles — and serves as a gauge of manufacturing health and business investment.
Why it matters:
A strong report may signal consumer confidence and economic stability. A weaker report may raise concerns about a slowdown, influencing interest rate decisions, investor behavior, and housing market projections.
Final Thoughts
As someone deeply embedded in this market every day, I believe in empowering my clients with context — not just listings.
These reports don’t tell the whole story, but together, they offer valuable insights into where the housing market may be heading in the months ahead.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just want to understand how macroeconomic trends might affect your neighborhood, I’d love to connect.
Let’s make sense of this market together.
Danielle Dimond, Realtor®, SRS®, ABR®, AHWD®, C2EX
📍 Danielle Dimond Real Estate | Senné Residential, LLC
📩 ddimond@sennere.com | 774-262-4400
🌐 www.danielledimondrealestate.com