This episode of The Triniyah Podcast explores Connecticut's current rental market trends, the effects of slow job growth and high mortgage rates on home sales, Governor Lamont’s recent housing bill veto, and broader national real estate trends including buyer leverage and home flipping profitability.
In this week's Connecticut Real Estate Market Weekly Insights, we start with an in-depth look at how the rental market is performing across the state. In May, Connecticut saw 1,123 residential leases signed—a 6.7% increase year-over-year—showing strong demand despite rising prices. The median rent is now $2,200, up 2.3% from last year, and renters are paying near the asking price, suggesting slightly improved negotiation leverage. Median days on market increased slightly to 25, while luxury rentals over $4,000/month are still leasing above asking.
We break down rental trends by unit size, pricing tiers, and lease types, noting that one- and two-bedroom units dominate the market, but demand for larger rentals is rising. Local spotlights include Stamford with high prices but dropping activity, and towns like Middletown, Madison, and South Windsor with significant spikes in demand and pricing.
On the mortgage front, interest rates dipped slightly, with 30-year fixed averaging 6.72%. We discuss how slow job growth and high rates are discouraging homeowners from listing, thereby tightening inventory and keeping prices high despite broader economic headwinds.
The episode also covers Governor Lamont's veto of HB5002, a major housing bill aimed at expanding affordable housing through mandates and zoning reforms. Lamont's veto was aimed at protecting local control while retaining support for key components like transit-oriented development. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the bill in a special session this fall.
Nationally, we examine how rising inventory and moderating price growth are giving buyers more leverage. Despite record median home prices, many homes are selling below asking. Home-flipping activity has slowed to its lowest point since 2018, and investor returns are shrinking—especially in high-cost markets—due to tighter margins and longer flip cycles.