Google Searches For “Mortgage Help” Skyrocket to Highest Point Since 2009
Summary
Rising mortgage help searches and increasing foreclosure-related legal inquiries signal potential distress in the housing market, which could affect local short-term rental markets. Hosts should monitor regional foreclosure trends and consider expanding their market research to adjacent areas to find distressed properties.
Key Insights
- •Google searches for “mortgage help” have increased to levels not seen since 2009, indicating potential financial distress in the residential home market.
- •Foreclosure-related legal inquiries jumped nearly 30% year over year in Q2 2025.
- •Nationwide foreclosures increased by 13% from the same period a year ago in July.
Action Items
- ✓Track early indicators locally by monitoring Google Trends and legal inquiries service data in regional markets.Effort: lowImpact: medium
- ✓Stay ahead of the curve by looking at distressed-adjacent zones to find properties that might become available.Effort: lowImpact: medium
Tools & Resources
- →ATTOM: According to data analytics firm ATTOM.
Related News
KB Home bets on built-to-order strategy amid a spec-heavy market
KB Home is shifting its focus to a built-to-order (BTO) strategy, aiming for higher margins in a challenging market. Hosts should pay attention to this trend as it may impact competition and pricing in their local markets, especially if private builders react to the changes.
![An Overview of Dynamic Pricing for Hosts [+5 Tools Included]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.igms.com%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2Fwordpress%2F2022%2F10%2FDepositphotos_dynamic_pricing.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
An Overview of Dynamic Pricing for Hosts [+5 Tools Included]
This article discusses dynamic pricing for short-term rentals, explaining how it works to optimize revenue and occupancy by adjusting rates based on market conditions. Hosts should consider implementing dynamic pricing, using tools that automatically adjust rates, to stay competitive and maximize profits.
United Real Estate CEO Dan Duffy on the roadmap for competitive advantage
This article highlights the importance of data and AI in gaining a competitive edge in the 2026 housing market, emphasizing that hosts who prioritize data-driven decisions and adapt to market changes will thrive. Hosts should focus on leveraging data and AI to make informed decisions about their STR business to capture market share.
Foreclosure Starts Fall 7.6% Nationally, But These Key Counties Show Rising Distress
Foreclosure starts are down nationally, but certain counties are seeing a rise in early-stage filings, which can indicate future pre-foreclosure opportunities. Hosts in Florida, California, Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas should monitor county-level data to anticipate potential distressed property sales and consider how this might affect their local markets.