"Home Prices Soar in Some Markets, Plummet in Others: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know"

The housing market in the United States has shown a significant divide over the past year, with some regions experiencing a decline in home prices while others continue to boom. The 10 markets with the highest price increases are mainly located in the eastern half of the country, while the 10 markets with the most significant declines are predominantly in the western region, Texas, and Hawaii. The divide can be attributed to the sensitivity of Western markets to interest rates, as well as the frothy home prices resulting from a housing shortage and tech boom. While some experts believe that home prices have bottomed, others predict further declines as the market enters the seasonally weaker window. The latest forecast by Freddie Mac predicts a 2.9% decrease in house prices this year and a 1.3% decrease in 2024.