MarketWatch: Weekly Real Estate Update for Riverdale, Bronx – 12/15/2025 – 12/22/2025

Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW?

* The Gold price soared closer to $4,400 as tensions soar in Venezuela, home to lots of oil ….and Coltan, which is used primarily for the production of tantalum capacitors, used in mobile phones and almost every kind of electronic device.

* US mortgage providers are using insurance against errors made by artificial intelligence tools that help them assess borrowers applying for home loans. (FT)

* From November 2019 to November 2025, nonmetro counties, which are synonymous with rural locales, experienced a median home listing price increase exceeding 70%, while in-metro counties saw home prices rise just over 30%. (NY POST)

* thetruthaboutzillow.com: This week, we launched a dedicated site that brings together the unsealed evidence from the preliminary injunction hearing in Compass’ lawsuit against Zillow. It includes the materials and testimony that reveal how Zillow discussed a strategy to “punish” real estate professionals for marketing homes outside of Zillow. The recording of Rory and Ethan is now live on the site as well. Please share this site so everyone can see the facts directly and understand what’s at stake for consumer choice and fair competition.

* California real estate legend John Aaroe has passed away:  his 400-person brokerage – John Aaroe Group – merged with Pacific Union in 2016 before it merged with COMPASS in 2018.

* A 16,000sf penthouse at the under-construction new tower at The Surf Club in Miami has gone to contract for $86 million. The record price for a combination of two penthouses in Miami stands at $120 million, but that has not closed yet either. (WSJ)

Mortgage Rate Updates:

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage decreased to 6.21% as of December 18, 2025, down slightly from 6.22% in the previous week, according to a survey of lenders by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. A year ago, the 30-year fixed rate was 6.72%.“The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained within a narrow 10-basis point range over the last two months,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “With rates down half a percent over last year, purchase applications are 10% above the same time one year ago.” Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.47%, below 5.54% last week.

Source: Freddie Mac