08/04/2026
Housing Market Update: Pending Home Sales Holding Strong in 2026
One of the biggest stories in today's housing market isn't just inventory it's buyer activity.
This HousingWire chart shows that pending home sales in 2026 are running ahead of both 2024 and 2025, with nearly 396,600 homes currently under contract nationwide.
What does that mean?
• Buyers are still entering the market despite higher mortgage rates.
• Demand hasn't disappearedit's adapting.
• Homes that are priced correctly and marketed well are still attracting offers.
While affordability remains a challenge and many markets continue to see longer selling times, this data is another reminder that people are still buying homes.
As always, remember that real estate is local. National trends provide valuable context, but your neighborhood may be performing very differently.
Bottom Line:
The market has shifted from the frenzy of 2021–2022, but it's far from frozen. Serious buyers are still making moves, creating opportunities for informed buyers, sellers, and investors.