Mike Simonsen

Mike Simonsen

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Founder, Altos Research; weekly real-time housing inventory, prices, and market analytics.

Unemployment Numbers Defy Bearish Economy Narrative
SocialMar 26, 2026

Unemployment Numbers Defy Bearish Economy Narrative

Man, it's hard to look at the unemployment data and see a bearish economy. https://t.co/IZjRJlefW9

By Mike Simonsen
Investors Adapt When Home Prices Stop Rising
SocialMar 26, 2026

Investors Adapt When Home Prices Stop Rising

In our latest Real Estate Conversations podcast I talk with Dave Meyer of the massive investor community, Bigger Pockets. One thing I wanted to learn was what happens to the investor game when we can no longer rely on home prices...

By Mike Simonsen
Public Split on Whether Mortgage Rates Are Rising
SocialMar 22, 2026

Public Split on Whether Mortgage Rates Are Rising

If you look at this chart of mortgage rates, do you say rates are: Up, Flat, or Down? (poll follows below) https://t.co/f44iFahBSk

By Mike Simonsen
Considering a Used F250 Purchase This Summer
SocialMar 22, 2026

Considering a Used F250 Purchase This Summer

I’ve been in the market for a used F250. Thinking this summer might be a good opportunity. https://t.co/hlsi7GwL5b

By Mike Simonsen
Home Prices Poised to Dip Below 2022 Levels by Summer
SocialMar 21, 2026

Home Prices Poised to Dip Below 2022 Levels by Summer

Home prices sure look like they could be back under 2022 levels by late summer. *This is list prices, which is subject to a shift in the mix of homes available, but it a direct measure of how much homes cost,...

By Mike Simonsen
January Home Sales Slip; Watch Under‑Construction Trend
SocialMar 19, 2026

January Home Sales Slip; Watch Under‑Construction Trend

New home sales and prices stumble in January. But my eyes are on that Under Construction line... https://t.co/ba6EOBkX36

By Mike Simonsen
Tahoe Winter Triathlon: Ski, Bike, Wake‑Surf in One Day
SocialMar 19, 2026

Tahoe Winter Triathlon: Ski, Bike, Wake‑Surf in One Day

My Tahoe friends are doing the Tahoe triathlon this week: Snow ski in the morning, bike to the lake, wake surf in the afternoon. This is usually a June or July activity.

By Mike Simonsen
Zuckerberg's Daring Bets Showcase Superhuman Corporate Courage
SocialMar 18, 2026

Zuckerberg's Daring Bets Showcase Superhuman Corporate Courage

Unpopular opinion: Zuck demonstrates superhuman levels of guts in his willingness to bet the company on entirely new directions, even though (especially since) this bet failed.

By Mike Simonsen
San Francisco's Pandemic‑Era Inventory Has Vanished Completely
SocialMar 18, 2026

San Francisco's Pandemic‑Era Inventory Has Vanished Completely

Gave a quick talk for agents in San Francisco today. Would you be surprised to learn that all the pandemic-era inventory in the city is completely gone? We really are in the next era of the housing market https://t.co/JmnzqbgEMn

By Mike Simonsen
Anthropic Reveals AI Deception, Offers Misalignment Inoculation
SocialMar 14, 2026

Anthropic Reveals AI Deception, Offers Misalignment Inoculation

In this Anthropic paper, the model moves from “reward hacking” into more generalized misaligned behavior, even inventing deceptions to hide the behavior when being observed. Lessons: 1. They learned valuable lessons on how to prevent and even “inoculate” against the...

By Mike Simonsen
Entrepreneurs Often Postpone Painful Layoffs Until Confidence Builds
SocialMar 14, 2026

Entrepreneurs Often Postpone Painful Layoffs Until Confidence Builds

Chatting with an entrepreneur friend yesterday. Three weeks into his Open Claw experimentation. He’s preparing to cut the first 3 of his 15 person team in the next few weeks. Hasn’t actually pulled the trigger yet, will be fascinating to...

By Mike Simonsen
Existing Home Sales Lag, Yet Show 4% Post‑Storm Gain
SocialMar 11, 2026

Existing Home Sales Lag, Yet Show 4% Post‑Storm Gain

NAR's existing home sales came out for February and it doesn't yet reflect what we're seeing in the weekly pending sales that we track. NAR is trying to publish this data earlier to keep up, but it still has...

By Mike Simonsen
Mortgage Intent Index Peaks Highest in Over Two Years
SocialMar 9, 2026

Mortgage Intent Index Peaks Highest in Over Two Years

A great dataset I recently got access to: Xactus Mortgage Intent Index. Xactus processes credit pulls in the mortgage application process. The index is based on actual apps. It is highly correlated with the Altos weekly pendings data. Now at highest...

By Mike Simonsen
US Energy Exporter Still Vulnerable to Oil Price Swings
SocialMar 9, 2026

US Energy Exporter Still Vulnerable to Oil Price Swings

Post-pandemic, American consumer (homeowner) debt was locked in cheap for ever and it made the Fed’s job more difficult. Raising rates didn’t impact spending as much. But we drive big cars long distances so oil spikes impact our spend...

By Mike Simonsen
Home Prices Dip 1.38% YoY, Falling Since October
SocialMar 8, 2026

Home Prices Dip 1.38% YoY, Falling Since October

List prices are 1.38% below last year. Home prices have been negative since October and are moving lower, relative to last year. Here's two views https://t.co/xHl3d0HNvs

By Mike Simonsen
Inflation and Job Loss Cripple 2026 Real Estate
SocialMar 6, 2026

Inflation and Job Loss Cripple 2026 Real Estate

Surging inflation and sagging employment double whammy for the fragile real estate market in 2026 https://t.co/4yrdR28tG3

By Mike Simonsen
Texas, Florida, California Lead; Who Ranks Fourth?
SocialMar 1, 2026

Texas, Florida, California Lead; Who Ranks Fourth?

The biggest three states for existing home sales are 1. Texas 2. Florida 3. California Who is #4?

By Mike Simonsen
US Housing Market Splits Amid Ongoing Weather Impacts
SocialMar 1, 2026

US Housing Market Splits Amid Ongoing Weather Impacts

Another shocking example of the divided US housing market. I believe a lot of this is still showing weather effects from early in the month. But still... https://t.co/Ze7mUcxJS4

By Mike Simonsen
Chicago's Migration Reverses: In
SocialFeb 25, 2026

Chicago's Migration Reverses: In

Migration patterns for the Chicago MSA in the past few years really illustrate what I've called "The Great Stay." Q2 2025 was the first period in many years where inbound migration exceeded outbound migration. Over the last 8 years, total moves...

By Mike Simonsen
Housing Market Rebounds: Listings, Sales Rise; Price Cuts Fall
SocialFeb 23, 2026

Housing Market Rebounds: Listings, Sales Rise; Price Cuts Fall

🏘️The housing market finally got some relief this week as the country thawed out after weeks of winter storms. New listings jumped, inventory climbed 1.4% to over 700,000 single family homes, and pending sales came in 4.6% ahead of last year....

By Mike Simonsen