09/23/2026
U.S. Housing Market Rebalances Slowly
The U.S. housing market is finding its rhythm at a slower tempo these days. Active inventory has edged up by about 4% compared to last year, but the pace of growth has cooled for the first time in five weeks—a sign that the market is rebalancing in buyers’ favor, though there’s no dramatic surge in available homes. Homes are spending about 61 days on the market, which is unchanged from last year and steady with recent trends. This lines up with the typical late-Q3 slowdown that follows a brisker start to 2026. New listings are down about 1% from last year, landing close to 2025 numbers as affordability challenges keep some buyers cautious and some sellers on the sidelines. The median listing price sits at $419,000, about 1% lower than last year, and the median price per square foot has dipped to $222—the lowest since early Q1 2026. As inventory grows and mortgage rates remain elevated, the environment continues to shift toward buyers. Still, the overall pace stays measured rather than seeing any sudden moves.