The flagging economy is hurting the housing market

“Real estate agents, developers, home buyers and economists are all trying to make sense of which way trends are heading. Slower growth — the economy shrank at the beginning of 2025 — means interest and mortgage rates will probably stay high for the foreseeable future. Stock market swings and flagging consumer confidence are pushing buyers out of the market. President Donald Trump’s trade war is adding thousands to construction costs for new homes and remodels.“