Strong jobs report scores ‘small win’ for housing market
The U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, potentially bringing good news for household formation and mobility. But the momentum may not continue into April.
April 3, 2026
Consumer
Stories for and about homebuyers, sellers, the housing market and the forces that shape the real estate landscape.
- Housing market in a ‘holding pattern’ as rates hit 7-month highHomebuyers and sellers appear to be hesitating, with mortgage application activity stalling as weekly average rates hit 6.46% following five weeks of increases.April 2, 2026
- Pocket listings really do sell for more — at least in DallasNew research analyzing 20 years of metro-area transactions found that homes sold off-market earned a 1.7% premium — but the findings may not apply elsewhere.April 1, 2026
- Real estate stock prices have taken a big hit in the past yearSome companies have seen their share prices drop by 30% — or more — over the past year amid sluggish housing market conditions and ongoing economic uncertainty.April 1, 2026
More Consumer
- 1 in 2 homes spent at least 60 days on market in FebruaryWeak buyer demand and high home prices are contributing to the trend of listings lingering on the market, according to new Redfin data.March 30, 2026
- Dozens of industry groups take issue with housing bill provisionHousing advocates back most of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act but worry that its limits on institutional investors will impact the build-to-rent space.March 27, 2026
- The ‘primary barrier’ to this spring’s homebuying seasonWeekly average mortgage rates just hit another 2026 high — but not all of the latest economic data spells doom and gloom for real estate’s busiest time of year.March 26, 2026
- A spring without sub-6% mortgages? Blame the war in IranRates fell below a key threshold in February, setting the stage for a more promising home-shopping season. Now, we could be stuck in a familiar, anemic pattern.March 25, 2026
- Some homes are getting cheaper, creating an entry point for buyersWhile the median price of an existing home has remained relatively flat, prices of new and manufactured homes have fallen since the pandemic-era buying frenzy.March 24, 2026
- Sellers outnumber buyers by largest margin in over a decadeThere were 46.3% more homesellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in February, according to Redfin data — the largest gap since at least 2013.March 23, 2026
- Chair Powell has ‘no intention’ of leaving Fed until DOJ probe endsWith his replacement’s confirmation stalled, Powell could remain Fed chair for some time. Plus, “terrible timing” for mortgage rate surge; states sue HUD; more.March 21, 2026
- Hope for sub-6% mortgages evaporates as rates jump againThree weeks into the war in Iran, mortgage rates have climbed above 6.5% — the highest level in over six months — after dipping briefly below 6% in February.March 20, 2026
- Mortgage rates hit 2026 high as peak homebuying season beginsConcerns about inflation and the wider U.S. economy are driving up mortgage rates as the housing market embarks on what is typically its busiest time of year.March 19, 2026
- Fed holds rates steady, but inflation could stymie spring salesMortgage rates didn’t shift significantly after the Fed’s unsurprising announcement, but rising prices — not rates — could be a bigger concern for homebuyers.March 18, 2026
- Industry leaders mixed on Senate-backed housing billThe bipartisan legislation could face roadblocks in the House. Plus, the president signs two housing-related orders; DOJ to appeal Fed subpoena block; more.March 13, 2026
- Economic unease threatens early-year housing market momentumConcerns about the war in Iran are adding to widespread economic anxiety as mortgage rates — which recently hit three-year lows — start ticking back up.March 12, 2026
- What buyers are stressed about — and how agents can helpA recent survey reveals how emotions and economic pressures influence buyers, sometimes leading to poor decisions and post-purchase regrets.March 12, 2026
- Uptick in home sales could signal a modest reboundExisting home sales rose slightly in February, but lagged behind last year’s pace. How consumers react to economic uncertainty may be key to sales this spring.March 10, 2026
- Fed unlikely to change tactics despite weak jobs reportThe U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, but economists expect the Fed to stick to its wait-and-see approach while employment data remains “volatile.”March 6, 2026
- New legislation offers clarity on corporate home purchase banA bipartisan housing package advanced this week in the Senate. Meanwhile, another bill targets investor activity in areas hit by natural disasters.March 5, 2026
- Home sales off to a slow start in March as Iran war unfoldsThe Middle East conflict “just added to the anxiety pile” for buyers and sellers already concerned about economic uncertainty, dampening sales activity.March 5, 2026
- How will the war in Iran impact the US housing market?After hitting three-year lows last week, mortgage rates jumped in the war’s first few days — but the rise could be temporary if the conflict doesn’t last long.March 3, 2026
- ‘Deeply rooted’ housing shortage worsened in 2025The U.S. had a deficit of 4.03M homes in 2025 — up from 3.8M in 2024 and the third-largest supply gap of the past 14 years, according to Realtor.com data.March 3, 2026
- Lawmakers target ‘free money’ home equity finance modelA new bill focused on home equity investment contracts underscores a widening fight — and rising scrutiny of a model built around appreciation, not interest.February 28, 2026
