Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Homebuyer Agreement Cancellations Hit 8-Year High in July

9/3/2025

37 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In July 2025, 15.3% of homebuyer agreements were canceled, the highest rate since 2017.
Contributing factors include high prices, rising mortgage rates, and concerns about a financial crash.
San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale report the highest cancellation rates at 22.7% and 21.3%, respectively.
Increased housing inventory enables buyers to negotiate better terms.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. housing market has faced volatility since the 2008 financial crisis, which triggered a significant downturn. In 2017, homebuyer cancellations peaked at 14.5% as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25%. Today, a 15.3% cancellation rate reflects ongoing challenges, including high prices and rising mortgage rates, suggesting potential instability in the housing sector and broader economic implications.

1 of 2

Story summary

In July 2025, 15.3% of homebuyer agreements were canceled, the highest rate since 2017.
Contributing factors include high prices, rising mortgage rates, and concerns about a financial crash.
San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale report the highest cancellation rates at 22.7% and 21.3%, respectively.
Increased housing inventory enables buyers to negotiate better terms.

1 / 2