May Market Pulse: Renters Struggle, Fed Holds Steady & Real Estate Listings Evolve

Every week, I stay plugged into market trends so I can serve my clients here in Central Texas with clarity and confidence. Whether you're renting, buying, selling, or investing—these shifts affect us all.

Renters Are Under Pressure
Nearly 50% of renters in the U.S. are now considered “rent-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.  Renters are also staying put longer due to high housing costs—turnover has dropped to just 30%. I spent many years feeling the same way and rented for nearly 10 years. Once I was able to make the jump to purchase my own home, it changed nearly everything. There are so many ways to help first time home buyers make the jump away from renting and ultimately saving money and start to gain equity.

Buying vs. Renting: A Widening Gap
To afford a typical home today, a household needs an annual income of around $116,600—compared to $64,200 to rent. Keep in mind this is the average. That’s a massive 82% income gap. As prices rise and mortgage rates stay elevated, homeownership becomes harder to reach.

Fed Rate Update
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged this month despite economic pressures and political heat. The outlook suggests mortgage rates could drop slightly later this year, but for now, rates remain higher than many expected. I watch this closely for my clients, my future investments and all around purchase decisions. This also opens up the doors for other buyer programs which you should always be aware of.

Listing Portals Are Shifting
Homes.com is pushing back against Zillow by highlighting listings banned from Zillow’s platform. Meanwhile, Compass continues to push its “Private Exclusive” strategy, stirring debate across the industry. For sellers, this means choosing the right agent with strong digital marketing reach is more important than ever.

Bottom Line:
This market requires more than luck—it demands insight, timing, and strategy. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, I’m here to help you make the right move.

Ryan Welch
United Country – Heart of Texas Real Estate