The “National Housing Market” Doesn’t Exist | Dr. Jessica Lautz

What if the national housing market everyone talks about doesn’t actually exist? Dr. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®, explains why housing conditions can look completely different from one local market to another and why today’s market is increasingly K-shaped. Lisa Parenteau, host of Lifting Others As We Rise and a top-producing luxury REALTOR® on Cape Cod with eXp Realty, explores both the data and the personal experiences behind Jessica’s career. Jessica shares how early research in Cle Elum, Washington, public policy work, unconventional role models, and unexpectedly taking responsibility for her younger sister helped shape the empathy she now brings to housing research. From understanding local market differences and buyer affordability to putting today’s conditions into a longer historical perspective, Jessica shows why real estate professionals need to look beyond headlines and understand the people behind the numbers. For real estate professionals, buyers, and sellers, the takeaway is simple: understand your local market, ask better questions, and never assume the headline tells the whole story. 🎤 Host & Guest Host: Lisa Parenteau Lisa Parenteau hosts Lifting Others As We Rise and is a top-producing luxury REALTOR® on Cape Cod with eXp Realty. Her conversations explore real estate leadership, professional growth, mentorship, and the experiences behind successful careers. Guest: Dr. Jessica Lautz Dr. Jessica Lautz is Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®. Her work connects housing research, consumer behavior, and real estate data with the experiences of buyers, homeowners, professionals, and policymakers. 🔑 What You’ll Learn Understand local housing conditions more accurately instead of relying on broad national real estate headlines. Recognize a K-shaped housing market by seeing how affordability and opportunity can affect buyers and homeowners very differently. Turn real estate research into meaningful action by communicating data in ways consumers, professionals, and policymakers can understand. Build stronger leadership through empathy by understanding the real-life experiences behind housing statistics. Avoid misleading market comparisons by looking beyond the unusual conditions of 2020–2023 and using a longer historical perspective. Recognize buyer and agent fatigue as part of understanding highly competitive housing markets. Build a real estate growth mindset by asking questions, staying curious, and being willing to take opportunities you did not originally expect. ❓ Key Questions Answered Q: Why does Jessica Lautz say there is no national housing market? A: Housing conditions vary dramatically by location. Inventory, competition, negotiating power, and buyer behavior can look completely different from one local market to another. Q: What does a K-shaped housing market mean? A: Jessica Lautz describes a market where different groups are experiencing very different financial realities. Some homeowners are benefiting from accumulated equity and strong financial positions, while many first-time buyers continue to face affordability challenges. Q: What advice does Jessica Lautz have for young professionals entering real estate? A: Ask questions and remember that you belong at the table. Jessica’s career shows how curiosity, research opportunities, and unexpected experiences can lead to meaningful professional growth. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 0:30 - Meet Dr. Jessica Lautz of NAR 3:24 - The Role Model Who Shaped Jessica’s Career 5:03 - Learning From Women Who Break the Mold 6:36 - Growing Up in Cle Elum, Washington 8:01 - Resort Development and Community Change 10:01 - How Research Influences Public Policy 11:28 - Taking Responsibility for Her Younger Sister 12:51 - Building Empathy Behind Housing Data 15:05 - What Is Surprising About Today’s Housing Market? 16:00 - Understanding the K-Shaped Housing Market 17:29 - Why Long-Term Housing Data Matters 19:08 - Career Advice, Books and Legacy 📇 Connect with Dr. Jessica Lautz: 🌎 Website → https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-... 📷 Instagram →   / jessica.lautz   🔗 LinkedIn →   / jessica-lautz   📇 Connect with Lisa Parenteau: 📘 Facebook →   / lisaparenteaucapecodrealestate   📷 Instagram →   / lisaparenteaurealtor   🔗 LinkedIn →   / lisaparenteau   🌎 Website → https://lisasellscapecod.com/ 📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! ⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com/ #️⃣ #LiftingOthersAsWeRise #LisaParenteau #CapeCodRealEstate #LuxuryRealEstate #eXpRealty #LisaSellsCapeCod #RealEstatePodcast #WaterfrontHomes #TopProducer #RealEstateMentor