Home Depot's Market Predictions

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There Is a Significant Need for Retirement Savings in the US link

• About half of US households have no retirement assets at all. This highlights a major gap in financial preparedness for retirement.

• The data comes from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, showing a consistent trend of under-saving across the US. This suggests structural challenges in retirement planning.

• The lack of retirement savings could lead to increased reliance on government programs or family support. This may create long-term economic pressure on both individuals and the system.

Newmark: assisted living cap rates in 6.75% to 7% range

• Assisted living cap rates are currently between 6.75% and 7%, while independent living ranges from 5.75% to 6% depending on the class. CCRCs have the highest cap rates at 9.5% to 9.75% for Class A and B.

• New construction is at its lowest level in years, which has driven occupancy to record highs. Rental rates have increased and expense growth has stabilized at 3% across all asset classes.

• Discounts vary by type and class, with independent living at 8.5% to 8.75%, assisted living and memory care at 9.5% to 9.75%, and CCRCs at 12% to 12.25%.

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Home Depot says more homeowners will start renovating as mortgage rates ‘freeze’ housing market link

• Home Depot expects total sales to grow by 2.8% in 2025 as more homeowners tackle renovation projects instead of moving. Same-store sales are predicted to increase by about 1%.

• The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to average 6.8% in 2025 and end the year at 6.6%, up from previous forecasts of 6.2% and 6.5%. This "lock-in" effect means fewer homeowners will sell, driving renovation demand.

• Home Depot saw fourth-quarter sales of $39.7 billion, up 14.1% year-over-year. Online sales rose 9% in Q4, with increased demand for same-day and next-day delivery.

Multifamily Permitting Falling Fast in Top Markets link

• Six of the top 10 metros for multifamily permits saw double-digit declines in the year-ending January. Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles had the steepest drops of 33% to 42%.

• New York-White Plains led all markets with 36,630 units permitted, a nearly 60% increase from last January. Atlanta also saw significant gains, though there’s uncertainty about the accuracy of post-pandemic permit data.

• Markets with the biggest declines included Jacksonville (-5,300 units), Minneapolis/St. Paul (-5,177 units), Riverside (-4,269 units), Raleigh/Durham (-4,244 units), and Denver (-4,176 units). Total multifamily units permitted in the top 150 markets have stayed below 400,000 for the past six months.

• click on the link to see the rest of the list.

Insurance worries are forcing homeowners to rethink their living arrangements link

• 57% of homeowners would consider moving to avoid high insurance rates and property taxes. 43% plan to move within five years, and 14% are ready to relocate immediately.

• Nearly 50% of homeowners worry about affording their homes due to rising insurance and tax costs. Around 44% reported a 10% to 20% increase in premiums, with one homeowner in Colorado seeing a 42% jump.

• California stands out, with over 90% of surveyed residents facing higher premiums and 57% worried about coverage. State Farm and Mercury General are planning double-digit rate hikes, impacting nearly 580,000 homeowners.

Surging for-sale inventory turns Florida into a buyer’s market link

• Florida's for-sale inventory rose 22.7% year over year in January, hitting 172,209 homes — the highest since Redfin started tracking in 2012. Active listings jumped 19.4% to 212,437, shifting the state firmly into a buyer’s market.

• High home insurance rates due to natural disasters like Hurricane Milton have driven many homeowners to leave the state. Rising HOA dues from Surfside-related structural regulations have also pushed condo owners to sell.

• Cape Coral, Deltona-Daytona Beach, Homosassa Springs, and other metro areas hit record-high active listings. Fort Lauderdale (27.2%), Orlando (24.5%), and Miami (23.4%) also saw large jumps in inventory.

• Mode, an AI for smart building management, raised a $5.3M round from KDDI.

• Watter, a resi waste-heat water heater, raised a $5M Seed round led by Hunt.

Apple's New Smart Display Confirms What This Startup Knew All Along

Apple has entered the smart home race with its new Smart Display, firing a $158B signal that connected homes are the future.

When Apple moves in, it doesn’t just join the market — it transforms it.

One company has been quietly preparing for this moment.

Their smart shade technology already works across every major platform, perfectly positioned to capture the wave of new consumers Apple will bring.

While others scramble to catch up, this startup is already shifting production from China to its new facility in the Philippines — built for speed and ready to meet surging demand as Apple’s marketing machine drives mass adoption.

With 200% year-over-year growth and distribution in over 120 Best Buy locations, this company isn’t just ready for Apple’s push — they’re set to thrive from it.

Shares in this tech company are open at just $1.90.

Apple’s move is accelerating the entire sector. Don’t miss this window.

Act Fast- Apple’s Halo effect is coming

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Vidit

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