2025 may bring more homes but with familiar high prices.

Why it matters: Many people will remain locked out of homeownership. 

Zoom in: The San Antonio-New Braunfels area is expected to be a housing hotspot in 2025, per a National Association of Realtors report.

• That's because borrowers here have been able to secure mortgage rates well below the national average, and because the city has seen strong job creation that continues to bring new people to the area, the report says.

Here's what experts and industry pros predict is in store for mortgage rates, new builds, moves and more next year.

Rates will remain above 6%

U.S. mortgage rates are expected to be in the low- to mid-6% range at the end of 2025, according to Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale.

• Redfin's economists forecast rates to stay higher, near 7%.

Between the lines: "We're not going to see a big change in the affordability picture," Hale tells Axios.

• "It's still going to be challenging to get into the housing market," especially for first-time buyers, she says.

Fewer "locked-in" homeowners

The mortgage "lock-in" effect, which has contributed to the housing market's woes by discouraging homeowners from moving, won't disappear next year — but it will lessen, Hale says.

By the numbers: In mid-2024, 84% of homeowners with a mortgage had a rate under 6%, down from 89% a year earlier, per a Realtor.com analysis.

• Hale expects that share to fall to 75% by the end of 2025, as more people choose to part with their current home loan.

What else experts predict

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage was around 6.7% heading into the holidays, according to Freddie Mac.

The big picture: That's up from around 6% when the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in September.

• The central bank has continued to lower rates, while signaling fewer cuts are coming in 2025.

The bottom line: Mortgage rates hovered mostly between 6% and 7% this year.

Go deeper: Why mortgage rates are climbing

364 people died while homeless in the past year, an all-time high, per SAMMinistries. (Express-News 🔒)

🏈 The Smithson Valley Rangers from Comal ISD became the first big San Antonio-area school to win a state football championship since 2010. (KENS)

🌳 Plaza de Valero, a new community gathering space that's part of the Alamo expansion, is now open. (The Alamo)

😞 Vista Brewing will close its San Antonio taproom after Jan. 5. Its Hill Country headquarters will remain open. (MySA)

💸 The Alamo Colleges District is considering placing a $987 million bond on the May ballot, as its campuses have seen record enrollment. (SA Report)

🐘 President-elect Trump suggested Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who represents parts of San Antonio, should face a primary challenger in 2026. Roy opposed raising the debt ceiling without future spending restrictions. (Texas Tribune)

It may be winter now, but fall color has finally reached its peak in the San Antonio area.

Why it matters: We don't have the crisp definition of four seasons here like in other parts of the country, so there's an extra special feeling that comes with witnessing the changes.

• In Central Texas, look for changing colors on bald cypress trees — which typically grow along our rivers and lakes — red oaks, pecan trees and cedar elms.

Yes, but: The season here is fleeting. Blink and you might miss it.

The big picture: The leaves are changing later this year because the weather turned cooler much later than normal, Karl Flocke, program leader with the Texas A&M Forest Service, told KUT.

Zoom in: Fortunately, there's an easy way to preserve fall colors, inspired by 1000 Hours Outside, a book and digital platform with ideas for outdoor activities with kids.

What we did: Press some colorful leaves in a book for a couple of days — we skipped this step and still had stellar results — then melt beeswax tea lights in a double boiler until you have a pool of hot wax.

• Dip the leaves in the wax and let them dry on wax paper.

👋 Megan here, sharing one last holiday sip of the season. 

State of sips: San Antonio bars have been filled with themed drinks this month. While they're fun, the truth is — they can pack a lot of sugar. 

• I recently found one that won't leave your teeth in a sweet coating all night. 

What to drink: The Roasted Pecan Old Fashioned ($15) at Haunt, the bar at The St. Anthony Hotel downtown. 

• It's concocted with a housemade pecan bourbon that sets this drink apart from similar libations, and also features bitters and maple orange syrup. 
• The syrup adds that hint of sweetness you want without overpowering the whole thing. There's plenty of pecan bourbon flavor to go around. 

What's next: The holiday menu at Haunt is available through early January. Take your out-of-town guests for a drink while you can. 

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Your year-end gathering wouldn't be complete without your very own San Antonio bingo card.

• Play along with family and friends with sayings and sightings that will only be muttered and seen around San Antonio this time of year.