Latest Jobs Report: What Does It Mean for You & the Housing Market?
Appfolio Websites • April 12, 2021
Latest Jobs Report: What Does It Mean for You & the Housing Market?
Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a very encouraging jobs report. The economy gained 916,000 jobs in March – well above expert projections of 650,000 to 675,000. The unemployment rate fell again and is now at 6%.
What does this mean for you?
Our lives are deeply impacted by our nation’s economy. The better the economy is doing overall, the better most individuals in the country will do as well. Here’s a look at what four experts told the Wall Street Journal after reviewing last week’s report.
Michael Feroli, JPMorgan Chase:
"The powerful tailwind of the reopening of economic activity appears to be gathering force; while the level of employment last month was still 8.4 million positions below that which prevailed before the pandemic, it is reasonable to expect that a majority of those lost jobs will be recouped in coming months."
Mike Fratantoni, Mortgage Bankers Association:
"We fully expect that this pace of job gains will continue for months, and anticipate that the unemployment rate, now at 6%, will be well below 5% by the end of the year."
Paul Ashworth, Capital Economics:
"With the vaccination program likely to reach critical mass within the next couple of months and the next round of fiscal stimulus providing a big boost, there is finally real light at the end of the tunnel."
Jason Schenker, Prestige Economics:
"People are getting back to work and the vaccine isn't just inoculating the population, it's clearly inoculating the economy."
What does this mean for residential real estate?
Today, the biggest challenge for homebuyers is the lack of homes currently for sale. With listing inventory down 52% from a year ago, bidding wars are skyrocketing. As a result, home prices are climbing.
One answer to this challenge is to build more homes to satisfy the demand. The latest jobs report gives hope for new housing construction, and therefore brings hope to buyers as well. Here’s what three industry economists said about the increase in construction jobs revealed in the report:
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors:
"Construction jobs boomed in March, one of the largest monthly gains ever. This raises the prospect for more home building and more inventory reaching the market in the upcoming months. The housing market has been hot with fast rising home prices but has been constrained by a lack of supply. By hiring more workers and building more homes, home prices will move to a manageable level to give more Americans a shot at ownership.”
Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist, First American:
“Great jobs report for a housing market in an inventory crisis. Residential construction building jobs increased 3.9% from pre-2020 recession peak in Feb. 2020. The construction industry remains a labor-intensive industry. We need more hammers at work to build more homes.”
Robert Dietz, Chief Economist, National Association of Home Builders:
“Good job numbers in March for residential construction. 37,000 gain from Feb to March. 3.03 million total employment for home builders and remodelers, and up 49,100 from Jan 2020.”
Bottom Line
An improving economy with a falling unemployment rate will benefit households across the country, as well as the overall housing market.
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A recent Realtor.com article explored whether single-family or multifamily homes build wealth faster. Spoiler alert: it’s single-family homes. At least, that’s what the data suggests. But if you take that at face value, it can make buying a multifamily property sound like a bad decision. The truth is, there’s no way to say that’s absolutely true. Real estate values depend on too many variables to base such a big decision on a headline—or even on solid data that might be right most of the time. The right property, at the right price, in the right market could easily turn that claim on its head. The bigger question isn’t which property type performs better on average. It’s which one makes the most sense for you. For plenty of buyers, a multifamily property can actually help them build equity faster than if they bought a single-family home. In fact, it could be a smarter financial and lifestyle decision for you even if it doesn’t build more equity as quickly. Because for a growing number of buyers, it’s not just about which type of home builds equity faster. It’s about which one fits the needs of their family, or simply makes owning a home at all possible. Is a Multifamily Home Right for You? There are plenty of reasons someone might choose a multifamily property over a traditional single-family home, and it doesn’t always have to be about chasing rental income or investment returns. Of course they’re often owned by investors who are using them to generate income and build wealth, but here are a few types of buyers that also could benefit from buying one: Buyers who can’t quite make the numbers work on a single-family home. For many people, buying a single-family home just isn’t realistic right now. A duplex or triplex can make the math work by generating income from the other units. That rental income can help cover a big portion of the mortgage, sometimes bringing monthly costs down to what they’d pay in rent—or even less. First-time buyers who want to get into the market sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting and saving for years to afford a single-family home, buying a small multifamily property can be a faster entry point. Living in one unit allows you to qualify for a primary residence mortgage, which often comes with better terms than an investor loan. Multigenerational families who need both space and proximity. More families are living together these days, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to share the same kitchen. (Or more importantly…bathrooms!) Multifamily homes let extended families live under one roof while still having privacy and independence. Buyers who want to turn their first home into a long-term investment. A multifamily home can be a stepping stone. Live in one unit for a few years, build equity, and when you’re ready to move into a single-family home, you can keep the multifamily as an income-producing property. People who simply like the flexibility. Life changes. Maybe you’ll rent out a second unit now, and in the future use it for aging parents, college kids, or a home office. Owning a property with built-in options gives you more ways to adapt as your needs evolve. Making the Best Choice Starts With an Open Mind… And Some Advice Whether you thought owning a house at all was out of the question, or buying a single-family home has been your goal, it’s worth keeping multifamily properties on your radar. They’re not just for investors or people chasing rental income—they can be a practical solution for buyers who want to own now, manage costs, and maintain flexibility for the future. The key is exploring your options thoughtfully. Every property and every market is different. What makes sense for one buyer might not for another, and the “right” choice isn’t always obvious from a quick search or a headline. That’s where a local real estate agent can make a big difference. An experienced agent can help you assess your personal situation, run the numbers on different properties, and identify which type of home aligns with your goals and lifestyle. They can also point out opportunities you might not have considered—like duplexes or triplexes in neighborhoods you already like, or properties with flexible layouts that can accommodate extended family or generate rental income. Thinking broadly and consulting an agent early on can turn what feels like a daunting decision into a clear, practical plan. Instead of limiting yourself to single-family homes, exploring multifamily options could reveal a path to homeownership you didn’t realize was available. The Takeaway: Recent data suggests that buying a single-family home will help you build equity faster than you would if you bought a multifamily. However, choosing between the two isn’t just about which one builds equity faster. It’s about what makes the most sense for your personal situation, your family’s needs, and your path to homeownership. For many buyers, multifamily properties can offer a practical, flexible, and even more attainable way to own a home today—while also creating opportunities for rental income, long-term investment, and adaptable living arrangements. The key is keeping an open mind and exploring your options. A local real estate agent can help you navigate the possibilities, run the numbers, and identify the right property for your goals.
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Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months , it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market. But when you look at the full picture, a few simple truths become clear: Today’s foreclosure numbers are in line with what’s considered normal High home equity is keeping most homeowners in a strong financial position None of the data points to a big wave of distressed sales that’ll crash the market Foreclosure Filings Are Up 32%, But That Doesn’t Mean the Market’s in Trouble If you peel the layers all the way back, what everyone is actually worried about is that we’re headed for a repeat of what happened in 2008. Back then, riskier lending practices and an oversupply of homes for sale brought home prices down and led to a significant increase in foreclosures. A lot of people felt the impact. But this isn’t the same situation. Yes, ATTOM data shows foreclosure filings are up 32% year-over-year. And that increase is going to sound dramatic. But context matters, and it doesn’t mean we’re headed for another crash. And the numbers prove it. Take a look at where we were during the last crash (the red in the graph below). And where we are now (the blue): Even with the uptick lately, we are still nowhere near crash levels – far from it. This isn’t a return to crisis levels. What it is, is a return to normal. The graph below shows foreclosure filings going all the way back to early 2005. The lead up to, and the aftermath of, the crash is there in red. Those are the years when foreclosure filings went above the 1 million mark each year. Now, look at the right side and scan back to the 2017–2019 range (the last truly normal years for housing). You’ll see we’re actually just starting to fall back in line with what’s typical for the market, even with the increase lately: Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, explains it well: “ Foreclosure activity increased in 2025, reflecting a continued normalization of the housing market following several years of historically low levels . . . While filings, starts, and repossessions all rose compared to 2024, foreclosure activity remains well below pre-pandemic norms and a fraction of what we saw during the last housing crisis . . . today’s uptick is being driven more by market recalibration than widespread homeowner distress, with strong equity positions and more disciplined lending continuing to limit risk.” The word “normalization” in that quote is extra important. While economic and financial pressures are putting a strain on some homeowners, this isn’t a flood of distressed homes. No matter what the headlines may have you believe, this isn’t a large-scale crisis. Today’s increase isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a return to normal. Why This Isn't a Repeat of 2008 Even though the last housing crash still shapes how a lot of people interpret today’s news, the reality is, this is a different market: Lending standards are stronger Borrowers are more qualified And homeowners have far more equity And that equity piece is especially important. Over the last five years, home prices have risen significantly. For many people, their house is worth far more than they paid for it. That means most homeowners have a strong financial cushion to fall back on, if needed. Basically, if someone faces hardship today, they often have the option to sell, and maybe even walk away with money in their pocket, instead of going through foreclosure. That’s a major contrast to 2008, when many homeowners owed more than their home was worth. Bottom Line Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important. When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all).
