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THIS MONTH: OUTDOOR TRENDS
After the cold of winter, and the welcome chill of Spring, Summer follows with warm invitations to spend more time in our outdoor spaces. So I thought it'd be fun to research and share new trends I've discovered for 2025
In the curated articles section, enjoy learning what is hot for Summer in the great outdoors.
I also include a guide to recipes for those gathering to commemorate Memorial Day Weekend. If you scroll down to the very last section, you will find other home trends.
In the events section, please find my picks for getting out in the community. Then check out my gorgeous listing and clients of the month.
Let's not forget all the fresh produce and artisanal products found at any of our St. Tammany Farmers Markets!
ON THE REAL ESTATE FRONT
The big news is that pending real estate sales surged 6.1% overall which marks a comparative difference to one month ago. Also, mortgage rates fell for the first 2 months of the year.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors, explains the impacts this way:
"Home buyers are acutely sensitive to even minor fluctuations in mortgage rates. While contract signings are not a guarantee of eventual closings, the solid rise in pending home sales implies a sizable build-up of potential home buyers, fueled by ongoing job growth."
He continued with this:
"Consumers should note that the spring home buying season typically brings in a surge of home buyers and sellers compared to the winter months. In March, signed contracts surged 34.1% from February based on non-seasonally adjusted raw data, reflecting a pattern consistent with previous years. In addition, inventory levels rose by 8.1% in March from the prior month, indicating a more dynamic housing-market environment."
Current Mortgage Interest Rates as of May 2:
- 30-year Fixed - 6.86% [last month 6.47% and month before that 6.74%]
- 15-year Fixed - 6.17 % [last month 5.82% and month before that 6.03%]
- 30-year FHA - 6.24% [last month 5.95% and month before that 6.99%]
- 30-year Fixed V.A. - 6.25% [last month 5.90% and month before that 6.79%]
If I may help provide you with a Competitive Home Analysis [CMA], I'm only a text or phone call away - (985) 629-1705 In this manner, you may learn the value of your home
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
Below, please find national real estate housing data and infographics from the National Association of Realtors. Keep reading to view the summary for the Louisiana market and in particular, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes.
We think you'll be most interested in what is happening here, but it helps to be aware of national market trends.
Please keep in mind that on the national level, data lags one month behind.
National Snapshot for the Month of March:
- Pending Sales - increased 6.1% month-over-month [while in the regional South they increased 9.8%]
- Existing Home Sales - decreased by 5.8% - month over month
- Home Prices - increased 2.7% - year over year
Ongoing Challenges:
- Interest Rates
- Economic Uncertainty
The month of March continued to trend toward a Sellers Market with 4 months of Inventory.
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