This podcast episode delves into the current state of the U.S. housing market, exploring key trends, challenges, and the impact of various factors such as homebuilder sentiment, mortgage rates, and affordability. Despite some signs of improvement in homebuilder confidence, affordability remains a significant challenge, and the bifurcation narrative continues to shape market dynamics. With new home sales rising as a proportion of total home sales, the episode also discusses the ongoing slowdown in transaction volumes and the potential for a decline in home prices in the coming months, influenced by tighter lending conditions and supply constraints.