Zaylan Houser Real Estate

Directions Website

Zaylan Houser Real Estate Licensed Real Estate Agent | Brokered by KW Metro South | Helping clients buy, sell, and invest in Central Alabama. 🔑 Your Key to Real Estate Success.

09/23/2026

U.S. Housing Market Rebalances Slowly
The U.S. housing market is finding its rhythm at a slower tempo these days. Active inventory has edged up by about 4% compared to last year, but the pace of growth has cooled for the first time in five weeks—a sign that the market is rebalancing in buyers’ favor, though there’s no dramatic surge in available homes. Homes are spending about 61 days on the market, which is unchanged from last year and steady with recent trends. This lines up with the typical late-Q3 slowdown that follows a brisker start to 2026. New listings are down about 1% from last year, landing close to 2025 numbers as affordability challenges keep some buyers cautious and some sellers on the sidelines. The median listing price sits at $419,000, about 1% lower than last year, and the median price per square foot has dipped to $222—the lowest since early Q1 2026. As inventory grows and mortgage rates remain elevated, the environment continues to shift toward buyers. Still, the overall pace stays measured rather than seeing any sudden moves.

09/21/2026

More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools
We're seeing an interesting shift in the U.S. housing market: in the four weeks ending August 23, new listings edged up by 0.4% and total homes for sale rose 0.5%, reaching their highest point since early Q2. Meanwhile, pending home sales dropped by 1.1%—hitting a six-month low—as elevated prices and mortgage rates near 7% (a 13-month high) kept many buyers on the sidelines, even with more inventory available. The median sale price ticked up 1.9% year-over-year to over $400K. For those navigating this evolving market, increased inventory and cooler demand are creating more opportunities for negotiation—especially on homes that have been listed for a few weeks. Sellers finding success are those who price realistically, rather than chasing previous years' highs. This dynamic is all about tuning into the right rhythm—timing and strategy matter, whether you’re making your next move or watching from the sidelines.

States Where Middle-Income Earners Can Still Afford To Buy a HomeWith median U.S. home prices now at $403,200, it’s easy...
09/18/2026

States Where Middle-Income Earners Can Still Afford To Buy a Home
With median U.S. home prices now at $403,200, it’s easy to see why so many middle-income earners (with median incomes of $80,734) are feeling the squeeze in today’s housing market. Yet, there are still pockets of opportunity: the 10 most affordable states have median home prices ranging from $250,700 to $302,300 and offer below-average living costs. Much like finding the right rhythm in a track, discovering these markets is about tuning in to the right balance—where affordability still plays in harmony with lifestyle.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/zaylan-houser/1912757-States-Where-Middle-Income-Earners-Can-Still-Afford-To-Buy-a

09/18/2026

What Smaller U.S. Homes Could Mean for Buyers
It’s interesting to see how the landscape of American homes is evolving. Over the past decade, the average new single-family home in the U.S. has shrunk from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet, yet the price per square foot jumped by around 72%. In 2025, 1 in 4 new homes will be under 1,800 square feet—up from about 1 in 6 a decade ago. At the same time, the share of larger homes (3,000 sq-ft or more) dropped from roughly 1 in 3 to just 1 in 5. Builders are leaning into smaller, more efficient designs to help manage the rising costs of land, labor, and materials—an approach that keeps homes within financial reach, especially as mortgage rates hover between 6% and 7%. For anyone keeping a close eye on their budget or taking a first step into homeownership, these shifts mean lower down payments and monthly costs, even though the higher price per square foot signals that affordability remains a challenge.

09/15/2026

New Listings Rise as Summer Comes to a Close
As the summer wraps up, we’re seeing an interesting shift in the U.S. housing landscape: new home listings have ticked up 1.2% to reach a three-month high. At the same time, pending sales have cooled, dropping 1.3%—their lowest point since March. While the median asking price has edged down by 0.1%, the median sale price is still up 1.8% year-over-year, all unfolding against a backdrop of higher mortgage rates and ongoing economic uncertainty. Much like crafting a new track, the real estate market is all about small changes and subtle rhythms that shape the bigger picture.

Inventory Growth Creates More Options in Jefferson CountySeeing inventory in Jefferson County rise by 4.8% in July is a ...
09/12/2026

Inventory Growth Creates More Options in Jefferson County
Seeing inventory in Jefferson County rise by 4.8% in July is a bit like dropping a fresh new track—suddenly, there’s more variety and room to explore. For those looking to make a move, this means more homes are hitting the market and more choices are in the mix. Just as I love blending genres to create unique sounds, I appreciate when the local scene opens up fresh possibilities for everyone seeking their perfect fit.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/zaylan-houser/1932799-Inventory-Growth-Creates-More-Options-in-Jefferson-County

09/10/2026

US Confidence Hits Seven-Mo Low

09/09/2026

US HOA Basics Every Buyer Should Know
Lately, we've seen US consumer confidence dip to its lowest point in seven months. While many felt more positive about their current situations in mid-Q3—the present-conditions index jumped about 7 points to 121—overall optimism faded as people became more concerned about their income, business prospects, and job stability for the months ahead. The expectations gauge dropped around 6 points to 68, a level that's historically linked to recession risk. Early in Q3, employers cut 23,000 jobs and unemployment nudged up to roughly 4%. But this shift was mostly due to people leaving the workforce, not a surge in new hires. Despite these softer confidence numbers, expectations around homebuying only eased a bit, with momentum still rising. Around 61% of consumers continue to believe interest rates will keep climbing. With federal policymakers holding rates steady and markets not pricing in much near-term relief, it looks like borrowing costs may stay on the higher side through the end of the year.

Address

224 1st Street N Suite 225
Alabaster, AL
35007

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Zaylan Houser Real Estate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category