**Sources (with links) used for this article are compiled at the bottom. These sources would also be good for further reading/research into the topic.
Give thanks: In real estate and mortgage, we have plenty to appreciate this season. As Thanksgiving arrives, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the good things happening around us. This past year has been challenging for many in the housing world, but there are real bright spots worth celebrating. For those of us in real estate and/or mortgage, here are some reasons we can all be thankful in our industry today.
Rates Are Finally Easing Up
Just a year ago, sky-high interest rates were putting a chill on home sales. Now we’re seeing some relief. Mortgage rates have retreated from their peak, dipping to around 6.25% for a 30-year fixed loan – the lowest level in a year. That’s a big drop from the 7%+ levels we saw last January.
For buyers, even a modest decline in rates can mean hundreds of dollars in monthly savings. For agents and lenders, lower rates are bringing more clients back into the market.
In fact, home sales ticked up in October as buyers jumped on those lower borrowing costs. We’re grateful to see our clients catching a break on financing. After a long stretch of rate anxiety, it’s a relief for everyone to have a bit more certainty and affordability in the homebuying process.
🦃 A Thanksgiving Thank-You 🦃
Thanksgiving is almost here, and we just want to say thanks a lot for being part of the Empire Learning family. 🧡 To show our appreciation, we’re giving you 20% off all real estate and mortgage CE courses during our Thanksgiving Thanks-A-Lot Sale. Use code THANKS now through November 26 to save while you knock out those remaining credit hours. Whether you’re traveling, hosting, or just looking forward to the pie, we’re grateful for you, and we hope this little break on CE makes the holiday even sweeter.
🧡 Save 20% During Our Thanksgiving Sale!Offer valid through November 26. Use promo code THANKS at checkout.
More Homes for Sale...Finally!
Many of us remember how, not long ago, finding any listing for buyers felt like striking gold. This year has been different – in a good way. Housing inventory is finally improving. Nationally, the number of homes on the market has climbed about 10–11% higher than last year.
By mid-2025, active listings were up even more – roughly 25% year-over-year. That means our buyers have more options and a bit more breathing room. We’re thankful for a market that’s slowly rebalancing after the extreme shortage of the pandemic boom years. In some areas, what used to be fierce seller’s markets are calming down into more balanced conditions.
Bidding wars aren’t as crazy as before, and price gains have moderated, which actually helps first-time buyers get a foot in the door. More inventory also comes from homebuilders ramping up construction, adding new homes that give buyers alternatives when resale homes are scarce.
All of this translates to more opportunities for agents to make matches and for loan officers to help with financing. We’re grateful that we can once again tell clients, “Take your time – there are more homes coming onto the market.”
Technology Makes Transactions Smoother
Another reason to be thankful is how technology is making our jobs easier and our customers happier. Think about how far we’ve come in just a few years. Today, nearly 90% of mortgage lenders offer digital closings for loans.
From electronic signatures to fully online notarization, the closing process is faster and more convenient than ever. In fact, 44 states (and counting) have approved Remote Online Notarization (RON), allowing buyers and sellers to sign papers from anywhere via secure video calls.
This means a client can close on their new home while traveling or without driving across town to a title office – a game-changer during busy schedules. Real estate agents are embracing tech too, using virtual tour software, e-signature platforms, and video meetings to keep deals moving smoothly. We’re thankful that these innovations let us spend less time on paperwork and more time on people.
Technology helped us get through the pandemic, and it continues to boost efficiency. At the end of the day, happier clients and quicker closings are something we can all appreciate.
The People and Partnerships We Rely On
Amid all the market talk, one thing remains constant: real estate is a people business. We couldn’t do what we do without the relationships and trust we build over time. This Thanksgiving, we’re especially grateful for our clients, colleagues, and partners in the industry. Many of us get a huge portion of our business from repeat clients and referrals – roughly 40% on average comes from past clients’ loyalty and word-of-mouth.
That’s a testament to the trust people place in us. It’s incredibly rewarding when a past buyer calls you to help with their next move, or when a happy homeowner refers a friend who’s ready to purchase. Gratitude truly fuels our success: when clients feel valued and appreciated, they’re more likely to come back and send others our way.
Real estate agents and MLOs also rely on each other as teammates. A great agent-lender partnership can make a complicated transaction feel seamless. We work together through late-night phone calls, problem-solving tricky deals, and celebrating at the closing table. These partnerships and friendships are the backbone of our industry.
We extend our gratitude to our fellow agents, loan officers, title representatives, and everyone else who goes the extra mile to help families find homes. We’re all in it together, and that camaraderie is something to cherish.
🦃 A Thanksgiving Thank-You 🦃
Thanksgiving is almost here, and we just want to say thanks a lot for being part of the Empire Learning family. 🧡 To show our appreciation, we’re giving you 20% off all real estate and mortgage CE courses during our Thanksgiving Thanks-A-Lot Sale. Use code THANKS now through November 26 to save while you knock out those remaining credit hours. Whether you’re traveling, hosting, or just looking forward to the pie, we’re grateful for you, and we hope this little break on CE makes the holiday even sweeter.
🧡 Save 20% During Our Thanksgiving Sale!Offer valid through November 26. Use promo code THANKS at checkout.
Helping Dreams Come True
At its heart, our work is about helping people achieve homeownership, which is an incredibly meaningful mission. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but Thanksgiving reminds us to step back and see the big picture. Every closed sale isn’t just a commission – it’s a family finding a place to call their own.
A new home means stability, memories, and pride of ownership for our clients. Owning a home brings a sense of belonging and security that can truly enrich someone’s life.
We’re thankful to play a part in that journey. Few things compare to handing keys to a first-time buyer and seeing the smile (and sometimes happy tears) that come with it. Or helping a growing family refinance into a better loan that frees up money for college or a rainy-day fund. These moments are why many of us got into this business.
We’re grateful to make a difference – to help our clients build wealth, put down roots, and create a space where holiday memories (like those Thanksgiving dinners) will unfold for years to come.
Future Optimism
Finally, we’re thankful not just for what’s behind us this year, but for what’s ahead. Despite the ups and downs, the fundamentals of our industry remain strong. Demand for housing isn’t going away – in fact, it’s poised to grow.
Huge waves of millennials and Gen Z buyers are coming of age and will be entering the market in the coming years. Over the next decade, millions of young households will shift from renting to owning, keeping us all busy helping them find the right home and loan. And according to the latest forecasts, the housing market is expected to pick up momentum.
The National Association of REALTORS® predicts sales will start rising again by the end of 2025 (around 3%) and then jump by double digits in 2026.
That’s something to look forward to! It means more buyers to serve, more families to help, and more business growth for those of us in real estate and lending. We know there will still be challenges – there always are in this business – but the outlook gives plenty of reason for optimism.
TLDR...
As we gather for Thanksgiving, let’s appreciate how far we’ve come and the opportunities on the horizon. Our industry has proven resilient, and we’ve adapted and learned so much over the past few years.
Now is the time to take a breath and count our blessings. Lower rates and higher inventory are making our jobs a little easier. New tech is saving us time.
Our clients and colleagues continue to inspire us with their loyalty and partnership. And every day, we get to wake up and help make someone’s homeownership dreams a reality. For all of that, we say: thank you.
Here’s to a Happy Thanksgiving and an exciting year ahead in 2026!
Sources
- Bankrate – Fed Cuts Rates Again, Impact on Mortgage Rates
- NAR – Existing-Home Sales Report, October 2025 (Lawrence Yun quote and inventory data)
- ResiClub Analytics – Housing Inventory Trends, July 2025 (+25% YoY active listings)
- Snapdocs/BusinessWire – 2025 State of eClose Adoption (90% of lenders offer digital closings)
- Old Republic Title – RON Update 2024 (44 states with Remote Online Notarization laws)
- NAR Member Profile 2025 – Repeat and Referral Business Statistics
- Wise Agent Blog – The Power of Gratitude in Real Estate (Gratitude fuels referrals)
- First Home Mortgage Blog – Thanksgiving Message 2023 (Homeownership provides stability and pride)
- North Shore Trust – Future Homeownership Projections (Millennials and Gen Z buyers by 2035)
- NAR Forecast – Housing Market Predictions (Sales increase by end of 2025 and surge in 2026)