Author: Kyle Lubsen

Across Global markets, metals pricing is rising. Aluminium briefly eased after a ceasefire, then climbed again as renewed fighting disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping.
Nickel prices are rising with shipping disruptions from Indonesia. Concrete is climbing on higher energy, transportation, and raw material costs, though local supply shapes impacts.
Insulation pricing climbed too, led by petroleum-dependent polyiso board. Manufacturers announced further increases of ~5%-8%, adding to earlier hikes of ~6%-12% recently.
Gypsum and steel stud makers also announced price increases, citing higher material, energy, and transportation costs, while weak residential demand helped limit actual impact.
Lumber hit a 4-yr high as Canadian import tariffs and mill cutbacks tightened supply; lower futures hinted at easing ahead, while lead times kept stretching.

In Mid-Q3, sellers outnumbered buyers by 57.9%, the widest gap since 2013, with 1.53M sellers and 972.3K buyers nationwide across the US market.
Listings drove the shift: sellers ↑3.9% MoM, the largest monthly increase in a portal's records, while buyers posted just ↑0.1% nationwide overall.
Active buyers gained leverage in Mid-Q3: three in five homes sold below original list price, as inventory hit its highest level since 2020.
Even with stronger bargaining power, affordability stayed tight: 30-yr mortgage rates hovered in the high-6% range, and the national median sale price was ↑2.2% yearly.
The earlier mortgage lock-in eased, bringing more owners to market, but demand stayed constrained; existing-home sales ↓2% to a 3.98M annual pace.

We're seeing a subtle shift in home prices across the US—up about 0.3% month-over-month in mid-Q3, but at a gentler pace than the previous couple of months. Over the past year, though, prices have climbed by around 4%, which is actually the fastest annual growth we've seen in a year. So even as things cool off a bit from month to month, home values are still trending higher nationwide.

This mid-Q3 period also marked what’s considered the strongest buyer’s market on record. Higher housing costs and some economic uncertainty have meant less demand, while the number of homes for sale continues to rise. Still, prices aren’t dropping, mainly because many homeowners have built up solid equity and aren’t under pressure to accept big discounts.

If you’re looking for a home, this slower pace means you have more breathing room—to weigh your options, compare, and even negotiate. For sellers, starting with a realistic price is key to attracting interest right now. Whether you’re moving up, downsizing, or just starting out, I know firsthand how important it is to feel confident in your decisions, and I’m always here to help you navigate the process with patience and clarity.

It’s not every day we see U.S. home prices outpace predictions, but that's what just happened—single-family prices rose about 3%, topping the expected 2%. For buyers and sellers around Shelby and Jefferson Counties, this stronger momentum means the market is still moving forward, with demand steady and homes in short supply. I’ve seen firsthand how these shifts in prices reflect more than numbers—they signal confidence, both in the market and in the communities we call home.

As someone who's helped families, first-timers, and even luxury seekers through every kind of market, I know how a resilient housing scene can ripple out, boosting everything from local construction to the energy of a neighborhood. Of course, when prices climb, affordability stays front and center. It's something I keep a close eye on, because finding the right fit for your family—whether you're upsizing, downsizing, or making a fresh start—matters more than ever. The market’s strength is encouraging, but making sense of it all is where clear guidance really counts.