As we quickly approach the end of 2024, many of us, myself included, begin to reflect on the past year and start to plan for 2025. Normally, we take stock of where we are with our current goals and where we want to level up, personally and professionally, during this time of the year. New Year’s Day is typically spent writing down resolutions and dreaming up your ideal future for the coming year, but those seeds are probably already sprouting right now.

One of the biggest goals you can set for yourself is a real estate goal, whether you’re searching for your dream home, hoping to successfully sell your current one, or looking to make a savvy investment purchase. Wherever your real estate journey takes you, one thing is certain: market data will be your best friend as you chart your course.

Most economic forecasting does not come out until January or February, so when Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty held their Market Maker event, packed full of incredible insights from keynote speakers like Economist Matthew Gardner and a panel of industry experts, I knew that it was important that I share the key takeaways with my valued clients.

Here are the top 12 most valuable points touched on during the enlightening presentations:

• The US presidential election is a distraction, not a derailment, of improving US housing trends
• The US economy is set for a "soft landing" as Fed policies hit the target for inflation rates
• Mortgage rates are falling and expected to average in the high 5% range by year end 2025
• US debt and sunset policies spur upward pressure on capital gains tax changes and investor anxiety
• The Seattle office market is resetting and is primed to draw new tenants and in-city housing demand
• Migration patterns and housing demand are putting upward pressure on home pricing
• The new construction market is pinched and not meeting demand, so housing prices rise
• The regional housing market experiences rising tides and a flight to affordability
• The role of a financial planner is critical when managing a real estate portfolio and estate planning
• The $90 trillion "great wealth transfer" will significantly impact the housing industry
• Aging demographics will challenge the utility of housing types and drive demand elsewhere
• 1031 and 721 exchanges are pivotal capital gains tax deferral strategies

I encourage you to explore the full event recap here, and please reach out if you have any questions or want more information on any of the topics covered. Let’s utilize these insights as you set your real estate goals for the end of the year/new year.