Mortgage Research Network Podcast
Why Rising School Closures Matter for Homeowners
More than 1,000 schools closed in 2025, reflecting demographic and enrollment shifts that could have consequences far beyond the classroom. Because school quality can influence where families choose to live and how much they are willing to pay for a home, closures can also affect property values and neighborhood stability. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine why schools are closing, how changing demographics are reshaping enrollment, and what these trends could mean for homeowners. Connect with Mortgage Research Network: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews Website: MortgageResearch.com First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM Homebuyer Calculators: https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv Connect with a lender : https://bit.ly/426Gyaw In this episode you'll learn: Why school closures matter for housing: School quality is often closely tied to homebuyer demand, particularly among families with children. How much buyers may pay for better schools: Research has found that stronger school performance can translate into higher home prices in surrounding neighborhoods. What can happen when a school closes: Closures can reduce neighborhood appeal, hurt nearby businesses, and potentially put downward pressure on property values. Why declining birth rates are a major factor: The U.S. fertility rate has fallen sharply, leaving many school districts with fewer children to enroll. How immigration trends affect enrollment: Slower population growth from international migration can further reduce the number of school-age children in some communities. Why public school enrollment is falling: Millions fewer students are attending public schools than just a few years ago, and national enrollment is expected to decline further. How homeschooling and private schools fit in: Some families who left public schools during the pandemic never returned, contributing to continued enrollment pressure. Why lower enrollment creates budget problems: Many school districts lose funding when student counts decline, even though fixed expenses such as buildings and administration remain. How aging in place affects neighborhood schools: When older homeowners remain in family-sized homes longer, fewer properties turn over to younger households with school-age children. The big takeaway: School closures are not just an education issue. Demographic changes, declining enrollment, housing turnover, and school quality are increasingly interconnected, and homeowners may feel the effects through neighborhood demand, local businesses, and property values. Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/school-closures-could-hurt-home-values/
