Laurel Wamsley

Many had hoped that home sales would rebound during what's supposed to be the busy spring season. But instead, last month's existing home sales were the slowest April in 16 years. Still, the median existing sales price continued to climb to $414,000, an all time high for the month of April. Adding to the affordability challenges are high interest rates, which show no signs of falling.

Many had hoped that home sales would rebound during what's supposed to be the busy spring season. But instead, last month's existing home sales were the slowest April in 16 years. Still, the median existing sales price continued to climb to $414,000, an all time high for the month of April. Adding to the affordability challenges are high interest rates, which show no signs of falling.

Inventory is up more than 20 percent over a year ago. Many Americans want to buy a home but can't afford to. Some had hoped to buy a home this spring, but have been stymied by possible job loss, mortgage rates, and market volatility. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington.

Inventory is up more than 20 percent over a year ago. Many Americans want to buy a home but can't afford to. Some had hoped to buy a home this spring, but have been stymied by possible job loss, mortgage rates, and market volatility. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington.

For a long time, buying and selling a home was pretty straightforward. The seller paid a commission to both the buyer's and seller's agent, totaling 5% to 6% of the sales price. For Jim Hsiao, a homebuyer in Georgia, it was just too much money going to the realtors. When you try to negotiate, you're basically just told, nope, that's our rate.

For a long time, buying and selling a home was pretty straightforward. The seller paid a commission to both the buyer's and seller's agent, totaling 5% to 6% of the sales price. For Jim Hsiao, a homebuyer in Georgia, it was just too much money going to the realtors. When you try to negotiate, you're basically just told, nope, that's our rate.

But following the realtor's settlement, agents must now tell their prospective clients that their rates are fully negotiable. So Hsiao found an agent who agreed to a flat fee to help him buy a new home. And he got $14,000 back to put toward the closing. Despite the new rules, commissions for buyers' agents overall have barely budged.

But following the realtor's settlement, agents must now tell their prospective clients that their rates are fully negotiable. So Hsiao found an agent who agreed to a flat fee to help him buy a new home. And he got $14,000 back to put toward the closing. Despite the new rules, commissions for buyers' agents overall have barely budged.

Hsiao says consumers just need the confidence to ask for options beyond the status quo. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News.

Hsiao says consumers just need the confidence to ask for options beyond the status quo. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News.

I mean, it's hard as a company to know how much Things are going to cost you if these tariffs are going into place and they're going away or it's completely unclear at what level they're going to be. You know, all of that uncertainty can just make things more expensive and drive up costs for U.S. consumers.

I mean, it's hard as a company to know how much Things are going to cost you if these tariffs are going into place and they're going away or it's completely unclear at what level they're going to be. You know, all of that uncertainty can just make things more expensive and drive up costs for U.S. consumers.

I mean, it's hard as a company to know how much Things are going to cost you if these tariffs are going into place and they're going away or it's completely unclear at what level they're going to be. You know, all of that uncertainty can just make things more expensive and drive up costs for U.S. consumers.

Say you're weighing buying a washing machine that's built and manufactured in the United States or one that's built and manufactured in China. If with these tariffs in effect, that should raise the cost of the Chinese washing machine. But, you know, the U.S. manufacturer of the washing machine might also raise their prices, you know, because now they can't.

Say you're weighing buying a washing machine that's built and manufactured in the United States or one that's built and manufactured in China. If with these tariffs in effect, that should raise the cost of the Chinese washing machine. But, you know, the U.S. manufacturer of the washing machine might also raise their prices, you know, because now they can't.

Say you're weighing buying a washing machine that's built and manufactured in the United States or one that's built and manufactured in China. If with these tariffs in effect, that should raise the cost of the Chinese washing machine. But, you know, the U.S. manufacturer of the washing machine might also raise their prices, you know, because now they can't.

The other washing machine is more expensive.

The other washing machine is more expensive.

The other washing machine is more expensive.

So if there is a big ticket item that you've been eyeing and the price is something you can currently pay but wouldn't want to see a big price hike on, you know, maybe go ahead and get it sooner than later.