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Walker River State Recreation Area, Nevada
In 2018, Nevada opened up a section of the East Walker River that had been closed to the public for 125 years. After the state of Nevada purchased the river’s water rights, the surrounding land was gifted by the Walker Basin Conservancy, and the Walker River State Recreation Area was born. Called a “lush, pristine river corridor” by a park ranger, Walker River is perfect for anyone looking to escape the dry desert of Nevada. Rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout can be caught on a fly line in a section of the park called the “Elbow” and there are several boat launches for paddlers looking to enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery.
Wolf Den Run State Park, Maryland
Purchased in 2017 by the state of Maryland, Wolf Den Run isn’t your average state park. The parcel of land, which includes varied terrain of mixed forest, rocky bluffs, and trout streams, was once used for coal mining on the West Virginia border. It also includes nearly three miles of riverfrontage on the Potomac’s North Branch. In addition to the traditional state park offerings such as fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, Wolf Den Run has recently become the only Maryland state park to offer access to off-road vehicles (ORVs). As of July 2019, ORV enthusiasts can enjoy 12.5 miles of rocky, bumpy, and wet terrain in the Huckleberry Rocks area of the park, although reservations and a small fee are required.
Nisqually State Park, Washington
As the newest Washington state park, Nisqually State Park has been in the works for nearly three decades. Although the park’s acreage was originally acquired in the 1990s, the state lacked the funds to build infrastructure. But after a recent increase in the state’s construction budget, Nisqually is officially the newest full-service Washington state park. The land’s historical and cultural significance to the Nisqually Indian Tribe has resulted in a state-tribal partnership — allowing for both entities to play roles in park management. Plus, the land’s unique location along the Nisqually River — with headwaters located in the nearby Mount Rainer National Park — makes it a prime location for adventure and nature enthusiasts.
Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park, Vermont
Vermont’s newest state park was originally envisioned by Carson “Kit” Davidson, who gifted 204 acres of land to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. An author and documentary filmmaker, Carson’s passion for conservation was the motivation behind building Taconic Mountains Ramble during his lifetime. The land includes meadows of wildflowers, numerous trails, and a pristine Japanese Garden built by Davidson himself. When he was alive, Davidson allowed the public to access his land if they obeyed three simple rules — no overnight stays, no smoking, and no fires. These three rules remain in effect under the state’s jurisdiction and although the park offers no water or facilities, it’s still a lovely place to spend an afternoon.
From Hot Market To Not: Surplus of Unsold Homes Grows Past 60% As High Costs Curb Buyer Enthusiasm
As mortgage rates remain near two-decade highs, the lion’s share of U.S. homes are lingering on the market, with over three in five listings remaining unsold for at least 30 days. This indicates the persistent slowdown in buyer activity due to escalating housing costs. According to data issued Tuesday, 61.9% of homes listed in May had not gone under contract after 30 days, an increase from 60% the previous year. According to Redfin, the rise in “stale” listings, fueled by high mortgage rates and soaring home prices, indicates a deepening challenge in the housing market as potential buyers are priced out despite what is typically a peak season for home sales.
n response, properties are accumulating mostly in regions like Texas and Florida where new constructions have bolstered supply but not demand, coupled with buyer hesitancy due to concerns over natural disasters.
In May, Dallas saw over 60% of its listings sitting idle for at least a month, a rise from 53% the previous year. Similarly, Florida metros including Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville are seeing stale inventory rates of 75.5%, 68.7%, and 69.2% respectively, all showing increases from the year before.
Conversely, cities like Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Jose are seeing a decline in the proportion of homes that linger on the market. In Seattle, only 41.2% of homes remained on the market for more than 30 days, down from 50.5% a year earlier.
Las Vegas and San Jose also saw declines, with homes sitting for prolonged periods at 55.9% and 34.4% respectively, suggesting stronger market conditions or more effective absorption of new listings.
The report found that 40.1% of homes listed had not found a buyer after 60 days, mirroring the stat from the previous year while marking an increase of 27.8% observed two years earlier. That persistence suggests that while the initial 30-day listing period saw a drop-off in buyer interest, many homes continue to face challenges in attracting buyers even as they linger longer on the market.
Redfin economists note that the static nature of the 60-day stale rate, consistent in both April and May, could indicate an upcoming rise if mortgage rates continue to hold. The trend reflects a deepening normalization of longer listing durations as the new market reality, set against high borrowing costs that deter potential buyers.
On borrowing costs, the typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained elevated at 6.98% as of Thursday, much higher than the pandemic-era low of roughly 3% and only slightly below the two-decade peak of 7.8% reached in October 2023.
The level of borrowing cost has substantially reduced affordability, pushing many potential buyers out of the market. According to the report, the median U.S. monthly housing payment is now nearing its historical peak, falling just $30 short of the record high, further complicating the financial equation for many households considering entering the housing market.
Allyn Maycumber Broker/Associate ERA Grizzard Mount Dora Florida 32757*** 407-467-3862
