The rise of analog travel

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STR weekly insights: 16–22 March 2025 link

• U.S. hotel RevPAR rose 2.8% for the week, driven mostly by a 1.8% increase in ADR, with strong weekday gains and weaker weekends. Chicago and Anaheim saw RevPAR jump over 20% due to major conferences.

• Luxury hotels outperformed with an 8.4% RevPAR increase, led by ADR growth, especially outside the Top 25 Markets where RevPAR surged 12.2%. Weekend RevPAR declined across all segments except luxury.

• Markets like the Florida Panhandle (+28.3%), Houston’s NRG area (+67.6%), Milwaukee (+58.2%) and Cleveland (+42.3%) saw large RevPAR gains from spring break and sporting events. Meanwhile, Washington, DC posted the sharpest decline due to event calendar shifts.

Occupancy and rents expected to grow in Desert/Mountains region as construction wanes link

• Rents in the Desert/Mountains region fell by 2.7% in 2024 but are projected to rebound as construction activity slows. Historical rent growth in the area was steady at 4% to 6% annually before the pandemic.

• Occupancy rates are expected to rise slightly from 94.2% at the end of 2024 to 94.5% by the end of 2026. Strong demand and fewer new units coming online are driving this improvement.

• Class A properties in high-supply markets may take longer to recover due to ongoing lease-up challenges. The rest of the market is likely to stabilize faster as supply pressure eases.

The rise of analog travel & the age of disconnection link

• Travelers are actively seeking tech-free experiences like printed maps, Polaroid cameras, and “dumbphones” to disconnect from digital overload. Luxury resorts such as Miraval Berkshires are creating phone-free zones and digital detox retreats to meet this rising demand.

• Analog travel emphasizes sensory experiences—touch, scent, sound—through activities like journaling, calligraphy, and traditional wellness rituals. Slow travel is trending too, with walking pilgrimages and extended nature stays gaining popularity.

• Despite the low-tech feel, these experiences rely heavily on hidden tech for smooth operations. Behind-the-scenes systems handle guest preferences, spa bookings, and safety alerts while staying invisible to the guest.

Home price signals continue to weaken for 2025 link

• Inventory has climbed to 676,000 single-family homes, up 30.6% from last year. Weekly new listings are now 13% higher than this time in 2024 and 24% higher than March 2023.

• Pending home sales prices are just 0.5% above last year, with 35% of homes on the market already taking price cuts. Price reductions are accelerating faster than any March in the past decade.

• Sales are slightly above 2024 levels, with 69,000 new pending sales this week, but prices remain under pressure. The most likely scenario ahead is more sales with flat or slightly falling prices, not a crash.

Midwestern suburbs lead in housing demand but offer limited supply link

• Five of the top ten most-viewed zip codes in early 2025 were in the Midwest, including suburbs near Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Median sale prices ranged from $335,000 to $495,000, drawing buyers priced out of big cities.

• Homes in these areas are selling faster than a year ago, with listing views more than doubling. In six of the ten top zip codes, inventory has dropped, increasing competition.

• Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill in New York City had the highest national jump in sales, up 105% year-over-year. The median sale price there hit $1.4 million, with strong demand from cash buyers and international interest.

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This for 325K! Guess which state?

Link to the listing

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Vidit

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