Housing Market Hotness Index

The Housing Market Hotness Index increased to 99.09 for the week ending June 21, 2026, signaling a modest improvement in housing market activity. However persistent affordability challenges and fading expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts continue to limit buyer demand.

The U.S. housing market remains sluggish as the spring homebuying season comes to an end, with the Housing Market Hotness Index declining to 98.72 for the week ending June 14, 2026. Affordability constraints, economic uncertainty, and the ongoing lock-in effect are keeping both buyers and sellers on the sidelines.

The Housing Market Hotness Index edged lower for the week ending June 7, 2026, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the housing market. High mortgage rates, affordability constraints, and economic uncertainty are keeping many buyers and sellers on the sidelines.

After gaining momentum through much of the spring, the housing market showed signs of slowing during the week ending May 31, 2026, as higher mortgage rates and geopolitical uncertainty weighed on buyer and seller activity.

The housing market showed modest improvement during the week ending May 24, 2026. Lower mortgage rates compared to last year have helped bring more buyers into the market, but affordability constraints and uncertainty surrounding global events continue to limit a broader housing recovery.

The housing market showed further signs of stabilization in May 2026, with the Housing Market Hotness Index climbing steadily since February. While lower mortgage rates have helped bring buyers back into the market, affordability pressures, the lock-in effect, and economic uncertainty continue to keep overall activity subdued compared to the stronger housing markets of 2023 and 2024.

The housing market is showing signs of stabilization, with the Hotness Index rising above last year’s levels as buyers respond to slightly lower mortgage rates. However, demand remains uneven across regions, and affordability pressures continue to keep overall activity below peak levels.

The Housing Market Hotness Index ticked higher for the week ending April 19, 2026, supported by a recent decline in mortgage rates and typical seasonal momentum. While lower rates are bringing some buyers back, limited inventory and concerns around the labor market are keeping activity restrained. At the same time, housing conditions are diverging sharply across regions, highlighting an increasingly localized market.

The Housing Market Hotness Index ticked higher in mid-April, signaling resilient demand despite ongoing headwinds. While mortgage rates remain elevated, they are still lower than a year ago, offering slight affordability relief. At the same time, housing activity is becoming increasingly regional, with strong demand in some markets and softer conditions in others.