December 4, 2025

Leslie breaks down what the Fed is likely to do on December 10 and how shifting jobs data, inflation pressure, and consumer confidence may impact your clients’ ability to purchase, sell, and borrow. If you want to walk into your listings and consultations with stronger talking points and a clearer read on where the market is heading, this video is a must-watch.

November 7, 2025

What is happening with the homebuyer and seller migration in and out of Georgia? Where are buyers coming from and where are sellers going?

October 3, 2025

In this week’s FMLS Market Intel video, Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young breaks it all down:

• Why mortgage rates rose despite the Fed’s cut
• How investor sentiment and the bond market are driving housing finance
• What the Fed may do next — and why it’s still uncertain
• Why early fall is the best time of year to buy a home, with more inventory, less competition, and better pricing

August 21, 2025 – “Showcase Economic Forecast”

 In case you missed her presentation at Showcase, click the picture to the left to access Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young’s slides:

• Home sales = “3 years of meh”.
• Affordability in Atlanta is causing buyers to look in surrounding states.
• Interest rates continue to trend into more favorable territory.
• Average sale price increases have started to “level off”.
• Explore home sales, active inventory, days on market, and supply statistics.
• See Leslie’s recommendations on how to help your Buyers & Sellers navigate the dynamic market.

July 30, 2025

 Lots of economic factors in play, according to Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young:

• Economic uncertainty persists, but June brought stronger-than-expected job growth and lower unemployment.
• Inflation rose to 2.7% as tariffs began to affect prices. 
• Mortgage rates climbed slightly to 6.72% in mid‑July after five weeks of declines but remain 14 bps lower than late May.
• Forecasts suggest rates will edge down gradually to ~6.4% by mid‑2026, with little chance of dropping below 6% soon.

June 24, 2025 

In this update, Chief Economist Leslie Appleton Young breaks down:

• Why Georgia is outperforming the national trend, with strong permit growth and population-driven demand

• Why affordability is still out of reach for many buyers, even as price growth slows

• What’s driving construction slowdowns, including labor shortages and rising costs

• The policy efforts gaining traction, including Realtor.com’s “Let America Build” campaign to close the housing gap.

May 29, 2025 

Buyers are pausing. Sellers are listing. Rates are rising. And the economy? It’s throwing curveballs no one saw coming.

In our latest FMLS Market Intel Report, Chief Economist Leslie Appleton Young dives into the surprising shift in home sales, the unexpected inventory surge, and the relentless climb in mortgage rates that could shake your 2025 strategy.

Get the facts that could define your summer in this latest episode. 

May 2, 2025

As we go into May and the summer buying season Leslie highlights that: Markets are unsteady. Inflation is rising. Consumer confidence is plummeting.

So what do we do when everything feels upside down? 

Watch this latest market intel update to find out. 

April 3, 2025

Mortgage rates are stabilizing, home inventory is up, and home price growth is slowing, making it a great time for buyers! With active listings in Atlanta rising 39%, more options are available. Sellers, be ready for more competition, while buyers may find new opportunities in this changing market. Watch Leslie’s full report for today’s updates.

March 12, 2025 

As we transition into the vibrant spring season, we anticipate an active home buying market. In this report, we will unpack key trends and insights for the upcoming months, with a particular focus on mortgage rate movements, housing affordability, and market dynamics.

February 12, 2025 

With prices for gasoline, eggs, and home insurance rising, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up 2.9% year-over-year, now’s the time to understand how these shifts impact your market.

Watch February’s market intel debrief, 

Happy New Year –January 16th, 2025

Market Intel Report

As 2025 begins, the real estate market is in a holding pattern, with uncertainty surrounding mortgage rates and their impact on the housing market. Despite initial expectations for further rate cuts following the Federal Reserve’s actions in September 2024, mortgage rates remain around 7%, and the Fed is unlikely to cut rates again until mid-year. Inflation concerns, economic uncertainty, and strong job growth continue to cloud the outlook, affecting both investors and consumers. Early data from January shows signs of a market recovery with more inventory and sales, but the extent of recovery will depend on how consumers adjust to the possibility of higher mortgage rates.

December 4th, 2024 

Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young discusses the 2025 conforming loan limit increase to $806,500 is a positive development for Georgia’s housing market, offering buyers easier access to financing. However, mortgage rates, a key factor in market activity, are expected to remain above 5.5% through the first half of 2025. Despite a recent uptick in national and local sales, the outlook for housing remains closely tied to future rate movements and inflation trends. Buyers can benefit from strategies like improving credit scores, exploring down payment assistance programs, and utilizing mortgage tools such as the 2-1 buy-down.

November 4th, 2024 

Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young discusses how FMLS market statistics indicate a stabilizing and strengthening market. With September closings increased by 5.2%, the first rise in some time, and October’s rolling four-week average also rose by 5.2%.

Leslie notes that local data is more favorable than the recent report from the National Association of REALTORS, which indicated a 3.5% year-over-year decline in sales. In contrast, new listings in the FMLS market have increased by 5.2%.