Housing Market

The U.S. Housing Market Hotness Index declined again as high mortgage rates and persistent affordability challenges slowed pending home sales and weakened overall housing demand. Discover which housing markets remain resilient despite the slowdown and where softer buyer demand continues to reshape local market conditions.

The U.S. housing market cooled further in early August as mortgage rates near 6.6% and affordability pressures constrained buyer demand. But local markets are moving in very different directions, with some counties remaining resilient while others experience significantly weaker housing activity

The U.S. Housing Market Hotness Index declined slightly to 98.11, reflecting continued weakness in the housing market as existing home sales remained below historical norms. Persistent affordability challenges, mortgage rates in the mid-6% range, inflation, and economic uncertainty continue to dampen buyer activity.

The Housing Market Hotness Index declined slightly to 98.84 for the week ending June 28, 2026, reflecting a housing market that remains constrained by affordability and broader economic uncertainty. Elevated mortgage rates, persistent inflation, and the lock-in effect continue to limit both buyer demand and housing supply.

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.