The Growing Gap: Vanishing Buyers vs. Surging Sellers

For the first time in history, sellers now outnumber buyers by over half a million. While this alone doesn’t guarantee an immediate crash, it signals a dangerous imbalance. Homes are taking longer to sell—averaging 47 days, triple the time seen at the peak of the 2021 frenzy. Buyers are backing away, but sellers remain anchored to past expectations of bidding wars and price surges. This disconnect is one of the clearest signs that the housing bubble may be entering its final stages.

It’s Bigger Than Real Estate

What makes this moment so precarious isn’t just housing. It’s the broader economy—one built on decades of cheap credit and relentless borrowing. From household debt to federal deficits, the entire system is teetering under unsustainable weight. The U.S. is now shouldering over $18.2 trillion in household debt, and more Americans hold credit card balances than mortgage loans. This is not a sign of prosperity. It’s a sign of survival.

A third of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings. As delinquencies and defaults rise, we must ask: how much longer can this debt-fueled bubble continue before it bursts?

What’s Really Driving Mortgage Rates

Many believe the Federal Reserve dictates mortgage rates. But in truth, mortgage rates are more directly tied to the 10-year Treasury yield. When demand for Treasuries drops, yields rise—and so do mortgage rates. And today, despite economic uncertainty, demand for Treasuries is dropping. This isn’t normal. It’s a red flag.

Foreign nations are backing away from U.S. debt, questioning the dollar’s stability in light of America’s ballooning deficits and recent credit downgrades. If the U.S. keeps printing dollars to cover its obligations, repaid debt may be worth less in real terms—a risk more countries are no longer willing to accept. This flight from Treasuries translates into higher mortgage rates, making homes even less affordable for everyday Americans.

Housing Shortage vs. Affordability Crisis

Much of the media chatter centers around a housing shortage. But the real issue is affordability. The median home price now stands at 10 times the median income. With current mortgage rates, 80% of Americans cannot afford a single-family home. Meanwhile, investors continue to snap up real estate, and rental developments proliferate. For many, rent is no longer a stepping stone—it’s the only option.

This shift is eroding the American Dream. Not because people don’t want to own homes, but because the dollar no longer stretches far enough. We are witnessing the direct consequences of inflation and monetary debasement.

Inflation: The Hidden Tax Crippling the Middle Class

Prices and interest rates are only part of the story. The deeper threat is inflation—the invisible tax that robs your purchasing power. With every dollar printed, the value of existing dollars declines. It’s simple math: more supply equals less value. And with inflation eating away at savings, many Americans are unknowingly losing ground.

This silent theft explains why today’s homebuyers are struggling more than ever before. Not because of a personal failure, but because the financial system itself is stacked against them.

Gold: The Historic Safe Haven

In times of systemic risk, history has shown there is one true store of value: gold. It cannot be printed. It does not default. It does not depend on the promises of a government with mounting debt and vanishing credibility.

That’s why central banks are buying gold at record levels. They see what’s coming. And they’re preparing.

Gold is not crashing with the system; it is exposing the cracks in the system. In fact, it’s up nearly 40% this year alone. It’s sending a message loud and clear: the time to prepare is now.

What Can You Do?

If you’re holding cash, waiting for the market to stabilize, or unsure how to protect your retirement, consider this your wake-up call. The dollar will not be worth more tomorrow than it is today. The longer you wait, the more purchasing power you may lose.

At ITM Trading, our mission is to help you protect and grow your wealth with a strategy centered around physical, tangible assets like gold and silver. Whether you’re just starting out or already own precious metals, now is the time to ensure you have a customized plan in place.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Schedule a free strategy session with our expert team today. Let us help you take control of your financial future—outside of a system that was never built to protect you.

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