So what’s really going on? Let’s break down the key changes affecting homebuyers and sellers—and share a few grounded strategies to help you make the right decision for your finances.

1. The Big Commission Shake-Up

In August 2024, a major legal change flipped the traditional real estate commission model on its head.

Historically, home sellers paid both their own agent and the buyer’s agent. Now, buyers must separately negotiate and pay their own agents. This might sound fair in theory—but in practice, it’s made buyers hesitant to use agents at all.

Why? Imagine paying 3% commission on a $500,000 home—that’s $15,000 out of pocket, on top of your down payment and closing costs. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially for first-time buyers.

Realtors tried to adapt by keeping listings private—sharing them only through the MLS to encourage buyers to use agents. But Zillow and Redfin pushed back.

2. Zillow and Redfin Push for Transparency

To level the playing field, Zillow and Redfin now refuse to publish listings that aren’t made publicly available through the MLS. Their reasoning? All buyers should have access to all listings, not just those working with agents.

Redfin’s CEO even stated that “buyers deserve access to the full market,” reinforcing a shift toward greater transparency—but also creating tension between agents and listing platforms.

3. Home Sales Are Down—Way Down

This legal drama comes at a time when home sales have already dropped 33% since 2021, falling from 6.1 million homes to around 4 million in 2024. That’s the lowest level in 30 years.

Why? Buyers are struggling with affordability, and sellers with low mortgage rates don’t want to give them up. Real estate agents, once riding the high of a post-pandemic boom, are now feeling the crunch.

4. Mortgage Rates and Home Prices Are a Painful Combo

In 2020, you could get a 30-year mortgage for around 3%. In 2025, you’re likely looking at 7% or higher.

That change has more than doubled monthly mortgage payments on a median-priced home, which jumped from $329,000 in 2020 to $420,000 in 2024.

Here’s a rough example:

• In 2020: $329,000 home = $1,380/month
• In 2024: $420,000 home = $2,800/month

Meanwhile, median income has only increased by 20%—which doesn’t come close to keeping up with the housing cost spike.

5. Affordable Homes Are Still in Short Supply

While overall inventory has increased slightly, affordable homes remain scarce. Many current homeowners are sitting on ultra-low mortgage rates (2.5%–4%) and don’t want to trade them in for much higher payments.

At the same time, builder confidence is down, thanks to labor shortages and rising construction costs—some caused by tariffs on materials like Canadian lumber.

6. The Economy Isn’t Helping Either

Wages aren’t keeping pace with inflation, and essentials like groceries, transportation, and energy have all gone up.

That means fewer people can save enough for a down payment—let alone afford the ongoing costs of homeownership.

Higher mortgage rates are also tied to global market pressures, including fears that China may dump U.S. Treasuries. When demand for U.S. bonds drops, bond yields go up—and so do mortgage rates.

7. So, Should You Still Buy a Home?

Here’s some real talk: Buying a home can still be a good move—but only if you do it on your terms.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Can I comfortably afford the 20% down payment, plus closing and moving costs?
• Will the monthly mortgage payments fit in my budget without relying on credit cards or dipping into savings?
• Am I buying this house because it suits my life—or because I think it’s a “smart investment”?

If you answered “yes” to all of those, great—you’re ready.

If not? Consider renting for now or saving more aggressively. Owning a home is not your only path to wealth. Rental property investing, index funds, or REITs (real estate investment trusts) are often better long-term options for building wealth without overextending yourself.

Final Thought: Buy a Home to Live In—Not Just to Get Rich

In this market, buying a home should be about stability, comfort, and lifestyle, not chasing returns. The real estate market is changing—fast—and financial security matters more than bragging rights.

So take your time. Crunch the numbers. And most of all, don’t let hype or pressure steer one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Jaspreet Singh is not a licensed financial advisor. He is a licensed attorney, but he is not providing you with legal advice in this article. This article, the topics discussed, and ideas presented are Jaspreet’s opinions and presented for entertainment purposes only. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence

The post Why Buying a Home in 2025 Feels So Hard appeared first on ROI TV.

The Declining Necessity of College Degrees

The days of needing a college degree to land a good job are fading fast:

• Many top companies are dropping degree requirements from job listings.
• Over 50% of college graduates now work in jobs that don’t require a degree.
• The steep cost of a degree is discouraging many from pursuing higher education altogether.

The reality? A diploma no longer guarantees a high-paying job—or even a job that requires the education it took to earn it.

The Economic Reality: Is College Still Worth the Cost?

The financial return on a college degree is shrinking:

• The average master’s degree holder earns about $83,000 per year, just $20,000 more than the national average.
• The cost of earning that degree? Nearly $60,000—a hefty price tag for a modest income boost.

Meanwhile, skilled tradespeople are beginning to out-earn their office-dwelling peers, without shouldering mountains of student debt.

Trade Jobs vs. White-Collar Careers: A Changing Landscape

Skilled trades are making a serious comeback, and for good reason:

• Paid training means workers earn while they learn.
• Tradespeople often start earning above-average incomes shortly after qualifying.
• AI and automation are replacing white-collar jobs faster than blue-collar ones, making trades more stable and lucrative.

Plus, trade jobs often pave the way to business ownership—an opportunity that’s less common in traditional white-collar careers.

The College Degree as a Hiring Filter: Outdated and Overused

Once upon a time, having a degree was rare and prestigious—almost a guarantee of financial success. But as degrees became more common, their value diminished:

• The rise in college graduates created an “arms race” of additional qualifications.
• Today, many employers recognize that most skills are learned on the job.

Now, many companies are relaxing degree requirements—but old habits die hard.

The Financial Burden of Higher Education

For many, college degrees come with a heavy financial cost:

• Student loans can take decades to repay.
• Debt often delays other financial milestones, like buying a home or starting a business.
• Those who skip college can get a financial head start, avoiding years of debt accumulation.

Nepotism and Unpaid Internships: A Growing Divide

As degrees lose their value, other barriers are rising:

• Nepotism and unpaid internships are becoming more important for job seekers.
• Demonstrating ability without a degree often requires working for free—an opportunity only available to those with financial support.
• This shift deepens inequality, benefiting those with family connections and disadvantaging underprivileged individuals.

Are Employers Really Moving Beyond Degrees?

Despite announcements about relaxing degree requirements, the reality often tells a different story:

• A study showed a 400% increase in roles where degree requirements were officially dropped.
• However, actual hiring practices haven’t changed significantly—many companies still prefer candidates with degrees.

In some cases, not having a degree can even weaken an employee’s negotiating power, making it harder for them to secure raises or promotions.

Long-Term Career Impact: Who Wins Without a Degree?

The declining value of college degrees is a double-edged sword:

• For some, this shift opens new opportunities—especially in trades, tech, and freelancing.
• For others, especially those without connections, it creates new barriers and reduces job security.

The impact largely depends on industry, personal circumstances, and an individual’s ability to navigate a changing job market.

What Does the Future Hold?

As the job market continues to evolve, here’s what could help workers adapt:

1. Promote Skills-Based Hiring: Companies should focus on skills and experience, not just degrees.
2. Invest in Trade Education: Expand opportunities in trades, which offer stability and high earnings.
3. Address Unpaid Internships: Implement policies that ensure equal access to work experience opportunities.
4. Offer Student Loan Reform: Make education more affordable and reduce the financial burden on young professionals.

The Bottom Line: A Degree Isn’t Everything—But It Still Matters

The value of a college degree isn’t what it used to be. But for many industries, it remains a valuable tool. As the job market shifts, workers need to weigh their options carefully—because success today is about skills, experience, and adaptability, not just a piece of paper. It’s time to rethink what success looks like—because for today’s workers, it might just be found outside the traditional classroom.

All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.

The post Is a College Degree Still Worth It? appeared first on ROI TV.

The Housing Affordability Crisis: It’s Worse Than You Think

It’s no secret that housing has become outrageously unaffordable:

• Homes are unaffordable for median-income Americans in 99% of U.S. counties, according to data from real estate research firm Adam.
• Sky-high property prices aren’t even great news for current homeowners, who now face higher property taxes and steep capital gains taxes if they try to sell.

The problem isn’t just about owning a home—it’s also hitting renters hard, with rising rental costs making it harder to save for a future down payment.

High Interest Rates: A Hidden Barrier for Buyers and Sellers

While high interest rates are supposed to cool off a hot market, they’re having the opposite effect:

• Higher rates make it more expensive to borrow money, pushing potential buyers out of the market.
• Sellers are hesitant to let go of their homes if they’re locked into low-interest mortgages, reducing housing supply.

The result? A vicious cycle where fewer homes are available, demand remains high, and prices continue to soar.

Why a Market Crash Won’t Save Us

For those hoping for a market crash to make housing affordable again—history says otherwise:

• During the 2008 housing crisis, average home prices only fell by about 20%.
• A massive 97% price drop (the kind needed to make homes affordable for most) is highly unlikely.
• Even if prices fell significantly, lenders tend to tighten borrowing standards after a crash, making it harder to qualify for a mortgage.

In short, a housing crash might lower prices on paper, but tighter lending requirements would still keep homeownership out of reach for many.

Mortgage Qualification: A Maze of Challenges

Even with lower home prices, getting approved for a mortgage remains a daunting challenge:

• Lenders require a solid credit score, stable income, and a significant down payment.
• Non-traditional income sources, like gig work or YouTube revenue, often aren’t considered reliable.
• After a crash, lenders become even more conservative, making mortgage approval even tougher.

How Institutional Investors Are Changing the Game

When regular people struggle to buy homes, institutional investors swoop in:

• Big players like investment banks and ultra-high-net-worth individuals buy up properties during downturns.
• These properties are then rented out at high prices, further squeezing the middle class.
• Reports from firms like Morgan Stanley highlight how these downturns are golden opportunities—for investors, not first-time buyers.

The Stagnation of Existing Home Sales

Many existing homeowners with low mortgage rates are choosing not to sell:

• Homeowners are holding onto their properties to maintain their low-interest rates.
• Rather than sell, many opt to rent out their homes, taking advantage of high rental rates.

This reluctance to sell reduces inventory, keeping home prices high and limiting opportunities for new buyers.

New Home Construction: Too Little, Too Late

You’d think builders would jump at the opportunity to meet high demand, but that’s not happening:

• The U.S. is building fewer homes now than in past decades, despite a larger population.
• Zoning laws, NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard), and restrictive building codes make construction difficult.
• Developers often favor flipping and renovating existing properties over the riskier and more expensive new construction.

A Long-Term Shift in Real Estate Ownership

Historically, property ownership was a privilege of the elite. Over the last 400 years, real estate slowly became accessible to the middle class. But that trend is reversing:

• Skyrocketing home prices and stagnant wages are returning us to a time when only the wealthy could afford to own property.
• The rise of institutional landlords is reshaping real estate ownership, concentrating wealth in the hands of a few.

What’s the Solution?

While there’s no silver bullet for the housing crisis, several changes could help:

1. Expand Affordable Housing Initiatives: Encourage government-backed programs for first-time buyers.
2. Reform Zoning Laws: Make it easier to build new housing in high-demand areas.
3. Limit Institutional Buying: Implement policies that prevent corporate giants from monopolizing the housing market.
4. Promote Financial Education: Equip individuals with the tools to improve credit scores and save for down payments.

The Bottom Line: A Crash Won’t Solve the Problem

The housing affordability crisis isn’t going away anytime soon—and a market crash isn’t the solution. Without systemic changes, the dream of homeownership will remain out of reach for millions of Americans, while investors continue to profit from a broken system. It’s time to rethink how we approach housing—because without real change, the next generation may never know what it’s like to own a home.

All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.

The post Why a Housing Market Crash Won’t Fix America’s Affordability Crisis appeared first on ROI TV.