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
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
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- ‘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
- Anywhere rejects Batton plaintiffs’ ‘reverse auction’ claimsAnywhere’s attorneys are asking the judge in the Batton case to not intervene in a proposed opt-in settlement with a similar case known as Tuccori.March 2, 2026
- New pre-showing tool aims to quickly ID serious buyersA veteran real estate agent has rolled out an AI-assisted “buyer profile” site to help fellow agents avoid wasting time on clients who aren’t ready to act.March 2, 2026
- Have mortgage rates finally reached the magic number?The average weekly rate dipped below 6% for the first time in more than three years — a threshold that could unlock buyers (and sellers) this spring.February 26, 2026
- Home shoppers have more buying power heading into springWhile affordability remains a challenge, lower mortgage rates and increases in inventory are giving buyers some wiggle room as they search for their next home.February 25, 2026
- Revenue inches up as eXp focuses on efficiency, agent retentionWhile revenue beat expectations, losses increased in 2025 as the company worked to create "a boundary-less platform where technology and community converge.”February 25, 2026
- Zillow moves to dismiss RESPA case: ‘Thin on substance’The Taylor case, filed in September 2025, claims Zillow Flex agents are pushed to steer clients to Zillow Home Loans — allegations the home search giant denies.February 20, 2026
- Are mortgage rates about to drop below 6%?Rates fell to 6.01% this week, the lowest level in more than three years. But homebuying activity remains sluggish even as affordability steadily improves.February 19, 2026
- Builder confidence slips again amid cost pressuresThe National Association of Home Builders’ monthly sentiment score — which has hovered below 40 since April 2025 — dropped another point this month.February 18, 2026
- Down payments dip, cash buyers retreat in shifting marketThe typical down payment fell 1.5% year-over-year in late 2025 — a shift Redfin economists say may be a sign that buyers are seeking more affordable options.February 16, 2026
- NAR discrimination case appealed; FTC, Zillow squabbleThe lawsuit filed by a former NAR employee resurfaces after its January dismissal. Plus, a judge mulls whether to toss the FTC’s case against Zillow and Redfin.February 13, 2026
- Why the latest inflation data is good news for real estateCooling inflation gives the housing market an “incremental tailwind.” But economists warn that data released this time of year can be tricky to interpret.February 13, 2026
- Existing home sales slide even as affordability improvesWhile existing home sales tumbled 4.4% year-over-year in January, improvements in affordability and inventory offer hope for more market activity this spring.February 12, 2026
- Only about 1 in 10 households moved in 2024, study findsThe U.S. household mobility rate fell to 11.2% in 2024, Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found — and early 2025 data indicates not much has changed.February 12, 2026
- Surprising jobs data paints a ‘muddy picture’ of the economyThe latest employment report makes a case for “cautious optimism” ahead of the spring homebuying season — if job and wage growth continue.February 11, 2026
- Zillow beats investor forecasts with double-digit revenue gainsThe company’s mortgage and rentals divisions continued to drive growth at the end of 2025, with overall revenue up 18% year-over-year in Q4.Updated February 11, 2026
- Redfin brings its home search to ChatGPT through new appThe announcement comes 4 months after Zillow became the first portal to launch an app in ChatGPT — a move that stirred debate about AI’s wider industry impact.February 6, 2026
- Zillow can continue enforcing private listing ban, judge rulesIn a Feb. 6 ruling, a judge denied Compass’ injunction request, citing insufficient evidence of irreparable harm and skepticism of conspiracy, monopoly claims.February 6, 2026
- 5 more settlements approved in Gibson commissions caseThe formal approval granted in the Gibson case on Feb. 5 adds nearly $40 million to the larger settlement fund, which totals over $1 billion.February 5, 2026
