Existing-home sales in Late-Q1 ↓3.6% MoM and ↓1% yearly, extending a multiyear slump as the usually busy spring market opened with weaker activity.
Median existing-home price hit a Late-Q1 record $408.8K, ↑1.4% yearly, marking 33 straight months of yearly gains despite sluggish sales.
Inventory stayed tight at ~4 mo of supply. An economist said a balanced market needs ~5 to 6 mo and inventory ↑20% to 30%.
The key buying season runs through Mid-Summer and may peak in Mid-Q2 or Late-Q2, but early activity this year failed to show expected momentum.
The group cut its 2026 existing-home sales forecast from ↑14% to ↑4%. New-home sales were expected to stay flat, with mortgage rates near mid-6%.
