When the Market Zigs, Does Real Estate Zag?

The stock market has been on a rollercoaster lately. After a steep drop that began in late February, we saw a massive rebound on Wednesday—the biggest jump in the S&P (nearly +10%) in over a decade—driven by the President’s announcement of a temporary pause on tariffs. That said, the volatility may not be over. These tariff moves feel less like long-term policy and more like short-term negotiating tactics, especially with countries like China where retaliatory tit for tat tariffs are still ongoing. It’s starting to feel like a high-stakes game of chicken between two economic giants—and neither side is swerving.

This uncertainty has pushed interest rates to their lowest levels since October, as investors moved into safer options like Treasuries and bonds. But as the stock market rallied midweek, the 10 year treasury interest rate began to climb again. With volatility at extreme levels, some investors may seek to raise cash—whether through selling stocks or even real estate—to weather the storm.

So, what does this mean for real estate? We may be seeing the early signs of a shift—from a strong seller’s market to one that’s more balanced, or even starting to favor buyers. Homes for sale inventory is up in the Bay Area compared to recent years, and with continued tariff uncertainty, that trend may continue.

For buyers who’ve been waiting for the right moment, this could be it. Keep an eye on the 10-year Treasury and mortgage rates. If they continue to move downward in response to broader market weakness, it could boost purchasing power—and open the door to better deals and more room for negotiation.

Have questions about what this means for you? Let’s chat!

Market Perspectives with William Tang: Nin Tang Homes’ (Unofficial) Chief Investment Advisor*