THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Welcome to my weekly newsletter featuring a personal note on the ever-evolving world of real estate along with a few news-worthy updates. Enjoy!

DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW?

It's a bit of a guessing game right now. Tariffs, job cuts, retaliation... it's a LOT. Market effect is difficult to gauge. As a number of the president's appointees buy up luxury mansions, we are all waiting to see if the rest of the housing market follows suit or falters.

Regardless, real estate markets remain HYPER local. Recently, we have been involved in several multiple offer situations in the $1-3M price range in DC and Bethesda. And we have seen listings languish... So before anyone pontificates about what "the market" is doing, be sure to ask what market they are in - what neighborhood, what price point, and what property type (single family home, condo, townhouse...). We remain a resource to discuss data and trends for your specific market!

real estate & the news

• Bond traders are signaling an increasing risk that the US economy will stall with several factors potentially restraining the pace of growth. Traders have been piling into short-dated Treasuries, pulling the 2-year yield down sharply since mid-February, on expectations the Fed will resume cutting interest rates as soon as May to keep the economy from deteriorating. (Bloomberg)

• Credit reports are no longer impacted by medical debt: More than 100 million Americans are burdened with medical bills they can’t pay. In early January, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued new rules banning credit agencies from including medical debt on credit reports. (WSJ)

• Fed Chief Powell said the world’s largest economy (US) remained “in good shape” despite the elevated “uncertainty”. Lets not forget though that Powell was very slow to respond to rising inflation in 2021 and is largely credited for higher inflation lasting longer than it might have had he raised super-low rates sooner and slower.... (FT)

• Blackstone closed $8 billion commercial real-estate debt fund, matching the record for this type of investment vehicle, another sign of a property-market rebound. Are they betting on a rebound or that rates remain high forcing those who've held onto real estate to get to 'the other side' to sell discounts? (WSJ)

around dc

national museum

of women in the arts

recently reopened

Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the National Museum of Women in the Arts advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement, and social change. For more details visit their website here.

Lee Arrowood

Principal, Arrowood Advisory at Compass

M: 202.251.3175

O: 301.298.1001

lee.arrowood@compass.com

+$173M Sold In 2023

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