Across the Buyer’s Market, a growing imbalance between home sellers and buyers is shifting negotiating power firmly toward buyers. In January, there were an estimated 600,000 more sellers than buyers, giving house hunters unprecedented leverage in pricing discussions. This dynamic is reshaping the housing market in most regions. Only five metro areas are considered seller’s [...]

The latest data shows mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level since 2022, giving homebuyers more purchasing power and stronger negotiating leverage as sellers outnumber buyers. This improvement could help buyers find more affordable options in an increasingly competitive market. On February 23, the daily average mortgage rate fell to 5.99%, matching levels briefly [...]

The National Association of REALTOR® NAR is rolling out its 2026 consumer ad campaign, More Than Opening Doors, on Feb. 24, highlighting the expertise and dedication of the REALTOR® brand. The campaign gives consumers an inside look at the work you do to bring buyers and sellers to the closing table. Matching buyers with the [...]

Rising costs have made home affordability a top concern for buyers who want to understand the true price of owning a home. But does the 30% income benchmark still hold in today’s market? For decades, housing affordability has been measured by the simple rule that households should spend no more than 30% of their income [...]

U.S. housing demographics are playing an increasingly important role in shaping household growth, as older owners hold onto homes longer while younger households enter the market primarily as renters, influencing inventory, turnover, and rental demand. CHICAGO – Once households form, their starting point in housing matters just as much as the total number of new [...]

Florida real estate policy 2026 takes center stage this week as Great American Realtors Days kicks off, bringing industry members to Tallahassee to focus on housing, property rights, and tax priorities for the upcoming legislative session. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Realtors® from across the state have gathered at the Capitol to deliver a unified message to [...]

Builder sentiment 2026 is beginning the year on softer footing as affordability pressures persist, even as lower mortgage rates, price cuts, and buyer incentives increase negotiating power. WASHINGTON – Builder confidence declined at the start of the year as affordability challenges continue to weigh on buyers, while builders face ongoing increases in construction and regulatory [...]

The swift closing of the Compass–Anywhere acquisition on Jan. 9 caught much of the industry off guard and reignited discussion around brokerage consolidation, competition, and the long-term structure of residential real estate. In an in-depth conversation with Real Estate News, Howard Hanna President and CEO Howard “Hoby” Hanna IV explained why he wasn’t shocked by [...]

While easing mortgage rates and incremental affordability gains are offering some optimism for buyers, home builder sentiment suggests the construction industry is entering 2026 with far less confidence. Builder sentiment declined again this month, falling from 39 in December to 37, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) latest Housing Market Index (HMI), [...]

A growing number of major U.S. markets are inching closer to a key benchmark used to measure affordability, according to a new housing affordability forecast that suggests modest but meaningful progress ahead. This year, the mortgage payment for a typical home is expected to meet the affordability standard — costing no more than 30% of [...]