‘Low turn, slow burn’ housing market kept sales down in July
Existing home sales fell 1.7% from June, with sales on pace to match last year’s rate. One bright spot: affordability improved nationwide, according to NAR.
August 11, 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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- MLSs must hand over listing data in Sitzer; NAR, Umansky at oddsFlexmls had refused to release MLS data on its platform. Plus, a special master in Sitzer/Burnett is accused of bias; FTC, Zillow want witnesses nixed; more.Updated August 11, 2026
- Homeowner equity hits new high even as underwater mortgages riseMortgage holder equity reached $18 trillion in June, but a growing share of borrowers in Texas and Florida are either underwater, behind on payments, or both.August 10, 2026
- Cooling labor market changes the equation for interest ratesThough a lackluster jobs report and weaker wage growth may sap consumer confidence, these factors could prompt the Fed to hold off on raising interest rates.August 7, 2026
- Stumbling housing market may have already hit its 2026 peakWhile closed home sales perked up in July, pending sales and mortgage application data suggests another market slowdown is on the way.August 6, 2026
- Bolstered by the high-end market, Compass tops $4.3B in revenueCEO Robert Reffkin cited “the wealth effect” as a revenue driver. He also criticized MLSs and portals, and suggested Compass could become the No. 1 search site.August 4, 2026
- Fraudsters finding new ways to evade rental listing safety checksAs bad actors employ new tech to level up, “we’re finding that becoming human-centric is essential,” said Eric Taylor, head of trust and safety at TurboTenant.August 3, 2026
- Real estate goes through cycles — but this one is out of orbitSome economists say the four-phase housing market cycle has been consistent for decades. But the current market’s “correction” phase isn’t behaving as expected.August 1, 2026
- The housing market’s summer slumber intensifies as rates riseThe highest mortgage rates of the year are hitting at a time when home sales are already starting their seasonal slowdown, further suppressing activity.July 30, 2026
- US housing market drawing less interest from foreign buyersThe number of U.S. homes purchased by international buyers fell 14% year-over-year — the second-lowest level in NAR records dating back to 2009.July 30, 2026
- CoStar improves profitability but fails to wow investorsDespite again reporting year-over-year revenue growth, CoStar’s share price fell amid investor queries about Homes.com and headwinds in the rentals space.July 28, 2026
- Judge dismisses case alleging Zillow violated RESPA, RICO lawsThe Taylor case claimed Zillow incentivized partner agents to steer homebuyers to its mortgage division. The plaintiffs can refile, but must do so by Aug. 17.July 27, 2026
- Surging oil prices, T-bonds push mortgage rates closer to 7%The Iran war escalation is spooking financial markets and raising inflation concerns. And next week’s Fed meeting isn’t likely to “signal any immediate relief.”July 23, 2026
- Purchasing power is up, but that’s not helping homebuyersA report comparing the cost of living in 1974 to 2024 shows that rent burdens are relatively lighter today, but home prices have outpaced gains in buying power.July 21, 2026
- Where demographic shifts could impact home prices, supplyAs more baby boomers sell, localized “Silver Tsunamis” may improve affordability for some buyers, but overall effects will be modest, recent research suggests.July 14, 2026
- Market instability ‘putting a damper on sales’Existing home sales fell in June, cutting short the momentum seen a month earlier. Consumer caution — and elevated mortgage rates — are likely culprits.July 9, 2026
- Zillow Pro expands, pulling back the curtain on consumer searchNo search activity is shared without consent, a spokesperson said. Zillow Pro aims “to help agents deepen existing relationships, not prospect strangers.”July 9, 2026
- Home sale expectations tempered for second half of 2026The market should continue to plod along, with slight gains expected compared to last year as buyers and sellers continue “adjusting and showing up.”July 8, 2026
- Tech wealth reshaping San Francisco’s housing marketThe overbidding trend driving up luxury home prices is expected to continue through 2026 as the AI boom brings more high-salaried home shoppers into the city.July 6, 2026
- Mediocre jobs data is no cause for alarm — or celebrationJob growth was far more sluggish than expected in June — but probably not enough to panic a Federal Reserve that remains concerned about rising inflation.July 2, 2026
