Pending home sales lift, but momentum could be ‘cut short’
Though mortgage rates climbed in March, pending sales increased 1.5% compared to February — but what happens next will depend on how the war in Iran progresses.
April 21, 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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- Pandemic ‘permanently transformed’ land market, new study saysLot inventory has fallen nearly 24% since 2019, just before the Covid-era construction boom began, Realtor.com found — “and the market is still paying for it.”April 21, 2026
- Buyers have an advantage this spring — but will they show up?Sellers outnumber buyers nationally, but with mortgage rates and inflation up from February, the “spring housing market is still a bit of a toss-up.”April 20, 2026
- Homeownership varies by job type — but affordability still a factorWhile business professionals and people in management still have the highest rates of homeownership, service occupations have seen big gains in recent years.April 17, 2026
- eXp drawn into Zillow RESPA case“We will vigorously defend against these claims which we believe have absolutely no merit,” eXp said. The judge, meanwhile, took issue with the amended filing.Updated April 18, 2026
- ‘Increasingly worse vibes’ hampering spring housing marketThough mortgage rates are ticking down and home price appreciation has dropped year-over-year, widespread economic uncertainty continues sapping demand.April 16, 2026
- Realty One, The Agency settle in homebuyer commissions caseThe firms are the latest to opt into Tuccori, a settlement NAR also joined — but that deal is now under fire. Plus, Veterans United pushes back in RESPA case.Updated April 16, 2026
- Builder confidence wanes as material costs riseNAHB’s April survey found that higher construction material costs — stemming from surging fuel prices — and the slow housing market are weighing on builders.April 15, 2026
- Share of first-time buyers sinks to record lowOnly 21% of recent homebuyers were first-timers, according to a new NAR report, with younger millennials accounting for the biggest year-over-year drop.April 15, 2026
- Spring market ‘fragile’ as existing home sales hit 9-month lowThe rise in mortgage rates seen since the war in Iran began prompted NAR to revise its 2026 forecast, with only a 4% uptick in existing home sales now expected.April 13, 2026
- Florida franchise claims E&V tried to ‘destroy’ its operationsEngel & Völkers Florida, which operated dozens of shops in the state, has sued E&V Americas over the early termination of its master franchise agreement.April 13, 2026
- NAR, Elliman opt into Tuccori homebuyer settlementThe association will pay more than $52 million to resolve claims brought by homebuyers. Elliman, Anywhere, Real and others also chose to settle via Tuccori.April 10, 2026
- 5-week rate climb ends — but sustained drop is ‘unlikely’Though the housing market had some momentum earlier this year, economists now say a “fog of uncertainty” has settled over the spring homebuying season.April 9, 2026
- Iran ceasefire may not quell mortgage rate volatilityRates fell today, but even if the situation in the Middle East improves, it will take time for the U.S. economy — and the housing market — to get back on track.April 8, 2026
- Tariffs ‘on track to exacerbate’ US housing shortageA new congressional report estimates that there are nearly 60K fewer home construction jobs now than before the president introduced “Liberation Day” tariffs.April 8, 2026
- Housing market may have finally ‘turned a corner’Zillow reports an uptick in web traffic for home listings, while ICE finds that today’s market is “better supplied and more balanced than in recent years.”April 6, 2026
- Batton plaintiffs file appeal after Anywhere opt-in dealThe plaintiffs are trying to block Anywhere’s opt-in settlement in another commissions case known as Tuccori. The deal received preliminary approval in March.April 3, 2026
- Strong jobs report scores ‘small win’ for housing marketThe 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
- 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
- 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
