First American Financial Corporation’s Data & Analytics division has released its December 2025 Home Price Index $(HPI)$ report, indicating that national house prices remained nearly unchanged throughout 2025. The report highlights a market characterized by flat or declining prices in 20 of the top 30 metropolitan areas tracked. Of the 10 markets still experiencing year-over-year price gains, eight are located in the Northeast or Midwest, regions where housing supply has remained relatively tight. In contrast, pandemic-era boom towns such as Austin, Texas, and Phoenix have seen price corrections as inventory levels rise and the market normalizes. The HPI segments home price changes into starter, mid-tier, and luxury categories. Notably, Warren, Michigan led the nation with a 6.9 percent increase in the starter tier, while St. Louis and Baltimore also posted solid gains in this segment. The report suggests that as affordability gradually improves due to household income growth outpacing price appreciation, the housing market is moving toward a more balanced state. The next HPI release is scheduled for the week of February 16, 2026.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. First American Financial Corporation published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 20260120429976) on January 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.