THE GUIDE
JANUARY HOME SALES
New year, new you—new thoughts about the housing market. The Fannie Mae Economic & Strategic Research Group, which offers forecasts of economic trends specifically in the housing and mortgage finance markets, predicts that mortgage rates will fall in 2026 and home sales will go up. Looking for more guidance? Check out the real estate statistics from the start of 2025 to guide you:
8,736
The number of single-family homes for sale, up 1.2 percent from 2024.
3,746
The number of single-family homes closed, up 11.3 percent from the previous year.
4,894
New listings for single-family homes, down 0.3 percent from January 2024.
$724,622
The average sale price of a single-family home, up 13.8 percent from 2024’s first month.
The average number of days on the market, up 10.3 percent from the year before. Source: New Jersey Association of Realtors
10
NJHome
43
NJH.1225.guide.indd 10
MUST-READS
Step into a world where every hue tells a story. In his debut book, My Life in Colors (Rizzoli, $65), interior designer Martin Brudnizki translates his signature maximalist style into a celebration of color, showing how shades shape mood, space and memory. Perfect for design lovers and visual dreamers alike, this book is a cordial invitation to readers to admire vivid interiors. Renowned architect Douglas Wright combines craftsmanship with timeless style in each of his residential projects, and now you can peek inside some of those homes. From Hand to Home: The Architecture of Douglas Wright (Rizzoli, $65) is a showcase of the architect’s work, from a Queen Anne-style home to a seaside shingle cottage to a modern beach house. Filled with photos, hand-drawn sketches and finished floor plans, this book is a visual journey for any design lover. Discover how tradition meshes with modern luxury in The Connaught (Assouline, $120), an inside look at the grand hotel in Mayfair, London. Written by journalist Bill Prince, this book is a compilation of interior-design highlights, legendary guests (from royalty to Hollywood icons), gastronomic milestones and the unsung artisans behind the scenes. It’s an ideal volume to thumb through before your next stay at London’s grandest address.
THE HIGH POINTS FROM HIGH POINT
With more than 2,000 exhibitors, High Point Market in North Carolina is the world’s largest home furnishing trade show. If you missed this past fall’s edition (or if you want to relive the excitement), we’re happy to share these highlights from the event: • Lights on. Hudson Valley Lighting debuted its latest designer collaboration with Augusta Hoffman Studio. The collection reflects vintage and minimalist inspiration, and each fixture displays natural materials with polished finishes. • Royal seating. A go-to brand for many interior designers, Currey & Company showcased its new Benin Throne chairs in brown and green hues. • Watch your step. Queens-based Rug & Kilim showed off its Scandinavian Exotic line, a new take on Swedish flatweave. The handwoven pieces feature a blend of wool and exotic yarns inspired by alpaca rugs, yielding a smooth and
soft texture that’s strong and weighty. • Island life. For those looking for kitchen solutions, Four Hands debuted several smart pieces. Its Divina Kitchen Island has plenty of space for countertop chores and includes a waterfall table that pulls out and tucks back into the main frame. • “Origen” story. Global furniture maker Adriana Hoyos Furnishings celebrates its 30th anniversary with its new Origen collection, featuring more than 30 upholstery and accent furniture styles such as the Origen Daybed 110 and the Origen Chair 301. Look for refined materials and custom offers, including raffia palm and diamondquilted leather, as well.
11/20/25 5:12 PM