Interest Rates, GDP, and the Housing Market: A Strategic Outlook for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon
Licensed in Alabama & Florida | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

In luxury real estate, timing the market is about more than just watching listing trends. It requires understanding the deeper relationship between macroeconomic forces—like GDP growth and monetary policy—and the local housing market. As someone who lives and works on the Gulf Coast, I watch these signals closely because they directly shape the behavior of buyers, sellers, and lenders alike.

This year, the conversation has turned sharply toward interest rates, inflation moderation, and political pressure to stimulate economic growth. And with President Donald Trump currently in office, there is renewed energy behind proposals to ease interest rates in tandem with economic slowdowns—a move that could have a profound impact on real estate.


The Link Between GDP and Housing Demand

Historically, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the housing market are closely correlated. When GDP grows, so does employment, disposable income, and consumer confidence—conditions that naturally drive real estate activity. Conversely, when GDP contracts, the housing market typically cools due to reduced affordability and tighter lending.

We saw this correlation play out in early 2025, when real GDP posted a 0.3% annualized decline in Q1, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That decline came amid elevated interest rates, cautious consumer behavior, and declining new home starts.

This kind of contraction often creates pressure on the Federal Reserve to recalibrate interest rate policy—particularly when it begins to constrain growth sectors like residential investment.

Contact Meredith Amon Gulf Coast Realtor


President Trump’s Policy Focus: Stimulating Growth Through Lower Rates

President Trump understands this relationship. His administration has made it clear that restoring GDP growth—and reviving the housing market as a core engine of that growth—is a top priority.

Public statements and economic messaging from his administration have emphasized the importance of reducing borrowing costs to unlock real estate, infrastructure, and consumer-driven expansion. We are already seeing signs that Trump is urging the Federal Reserve to act swiftly in lowering rates, framing it as essential to restoring economic momentum.

If those efforts are successful, they could realign monetary policy with a more growth-focused trajectory, which historically results in a drop in long-term interest rates—a scenario that could renew buyer activity across high-value markets like Ono Island, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key.


Current Rate Environment: Still Restrictive

As of May 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering around 6.81%, with jumbo and second-home loans frequently landing above 7%, depending on terms and credit.

This has been enough to suppress demand in several coastal second-home markets, particularly where cash buyers are holding out for improved leverage. In a normalizing environment, even a modest drop—say, from 6.81% to 6.00%—can recalibrate affordability by tens of thousands of dollars on a standard conforming loan.


My Forecast: A Target Rate of 6% by Fall 2026

Based on current economic signals, monetary policy trends, and the political will to support GDP expansion, I anticipate we will see rates fall to approximately 6% by Q3 or Q4 of 2026.

Here’s why:

  • GDP contraction will trigger pressure on the Fed to ease

  • Inflation appears to be stabilizing at levels that permit a softer stance

  • The Trump administration is signaling aggressive pro-growth policy alignment

  • Pent-up demand in real estate is ready to re-engage once financing becomes more attractive

This will particularly impact turnkey new construction offerings, vacant land sales, and premium resale properties across the Gulf Coast.

Final Thoughts

Rates aren’t just numbers—they are the product of national policy, global capital flow, and economic momentum. When you understand that, you can act proactively instead of reactively.

Whether you’re building, buying, or listing, I’d love to help you craft a strategy that aligns with both local market knowledge and the macroeconomic forces shaping our future.

Meredith Amon
Licensed in Alabama & Florida | Bellator Real Estate
Ono Island Homeowner | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor
????
meredith@searchthegulf.com
???? www.searchthegulf.com

Contact Meredith Amon Gulf Coast Realtor

Search Coastal Alabama Homes and Real Estate For Sale, $500,000 - $600,000

Sort by:
527 Beach Club Trail Unit 1006, Gulf Shores

$549,599

527 Beach Club Trail Unit 1006, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 986 SqFt Residential MLS® # 386308

Keller Williams - Mobile

1007 W Beach Boulevard Unit 91, Gulf Shores

$549,000

1007 W Beach Boulevard Unit 91, Gulf Shores

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,440 SqFt Residential MLS® # 385887

World Impact Real Estate

23502 Dundee Circle, Foley

$549,000

23502 Dundee Circle, Foley

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,030 SqFt Residential MLS® # 383887

Suncation Realty & Management

6061 Andhurst Drive, Gulf Shores

$549,000

6061 Andhurst Drive, Gulf Shores

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,305 SqFt Residential MLS® # 383513

Century 21 J Carter & Company 251-424-8072

517 E Beach Boulevard Unit 5d, Gulf Shores

$549,000

517 E Beach Boulevard Unit 5d, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 960 SqFt Residential MLS® # 381420

Wheeles Realty

25909 Canal Road Unit 202, Orange Beach

$549,000

↓ $20,000

25909 Canal Road Unit 202, Orange Beach

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,125 SqFt Residential MLS® # 379856

Ono Island Luxury Realty LLC

965 West Beach Boulevard Unit 2702, Gulf Shores

$549,000

965 West Beach Boulevard Unit 2702, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 780 SqFt Residential MLS® # 378947

RE/MAX of Orange Beach CELL: 251-978-5989

1010 W West Beach Boulevard Unit 1102, Gulf Shores

$549,000

↓ $26,000

1010 W West Beach Boulevard Unit 1102, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,042 SqFt Residential MLS® # 376622

Century 21 J Carter & Company CELL: 251-504-6604

1010 W Beach Boulevard Unit 302, Gulf Shores

$549,000

1010 W Beach Boulevard Unit 302, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,042 SqFt Residential MLS® # 375147

1st Choice Gulf Coast

949 W Beach Boulevard Unit 2205, Gulf Shores

$549,000

↓ $4,000

949 W Beach Boulevard Unit 2205, Gulf Shores

2 Beds 2 Baths 920 SqFt Residential MLS® # 372771

Coldwell Banker Reehl Prop Fairhope PHONE: 251-510-3246

5397 Bear Point Avenue, Orange Beach

$549,000

↓ $15,000

5397 Bear Point Avenue, Orange Beach

2 Beds 2 Baths 912 SqFt Residential MLS® # 372339

C Properties Sales & Managemen PHONE: 251-979-6011

2526 Bienville Avenue, Gulf Shores

$548,750

↓ $39,250

2526 Bienville Avenue, Gulf Shores

3 Beds 2 Baths 2,123 SqFt Residential MLS® # 384756

Dolphin Cove Realty LLC


Meredith Amon Gulf CoastNew Construction Meredith Amon Gulf CoastNew Construction
Boater’s Field Manual to Ono Island Canals — Bayou St. John Access, Depths & Dock Design
Meredith Folger Amon
By Meredith Folger Amon | October 15, 2025

Boater’s Field Manual to Ono Island Canals — Bayou St. John Access, Depths & Dock Design

THE BOATER’S FIELD MANUAL TO ONO ISLAND’S SIX CANALS



How boats actually reach these canals  If your dock is on the north side of Ono Island, your boat lives on water that empties directly into Bayou St. John. From there you run east or west—Perdido Pass, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, and the Perdido…

Ono Island’s Six Canals — Bayou St. John Waterfront Guide (Orange Beach, AL)
Meredith Folger Amon
By Meredith Folger Amon | October 15, 2025

Ono Island’s Six Canals — Bayou St. John Waterfront Guide (Orange Beach, AL)

Aragon Park Homes: Timeless Southern Architecture in the Heart of Downtown Pensacola
Meredith Folger Amon
By Meredith Folger Amon | October 14, 2025

Aragon Park Homes: Timeless Southern Architecture in the Heart of Downtown Pensacola

Orientation: Light, Breeze, and View — Living with the Elements on Ono Island
Meredith Folger Amon
By Meredith Folger Amon | October 13, 2025

Orientation: Light, Breeze, and View — Living with the Elements on Ono Island


Signup is free and takes only a few seconds

Ask A Question or Sign Up To See New Real Estate Listings Before Your Competition

When it comes to finding the home of your dreams in a fast-paced market, knowing about new listings as soon as they are available is part of our competitive advantage.Sign up to see new listings in an area or specific community. Contact Meredith with any questions you may have.

Provide a valid email address.
Newsletter consent

#searchthegulf #meredithamon #becausewelivehere



Posted by Meredith Folger Amon on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.