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US Housing Market Shifts Buyer-Friendly: Falling Prices, Rising Inventory, and Rate Changes

US Housing Market Shifts Buyer-Friendly: Falling Prices, Rising Inventory, and Rate Changes

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 In the past 48 hours, the US housing market shows a buyer-friendly shift with falling prices and rising inventory, though economic unease and rising mortgage rates temper momentum. Median listing prices dropped 2.4 percent year over year for the week ending March 7, marking the 20th straight week of flat or negative growth, while active inventory climbed 6.2 percent year over year[1]. Homes now spend 58 days on market, 4 days longer than last year, but improving from recent highs[1].

New listings rose 1.5 percent year over year that week, though year-to-date they lag 2.5 percent behind 2025[1]. Redfin data for the four weeks ending March 8 confirms a slight 0.5 percent uptick in new listings, the first since November, amid resurfacing from late 2025[2]. Mortgage applications jumped 3.2 percent for the week ending March 6, with purchase volume up 10 percent year over year, per the Mortgage Bankers Association[2]. However, overall inventory dipped 2.2 percent in that period, and homebuyer demand fell 16 percent[2].

Nationally, February median home prices held nearly flat at 375,885 dollars, up just 0.2 percent from February 2025, with large markets split evenly between gains and declines[4][8]. Mortgage rates rose to 6.11 percent for 30-year fixed as of March 12, up from 6 percent, after briefly hitting three-year lows[2][5].

Compared to prior weeks, price declines persist but inventory growth slowed from 30 percent last year to single digits now[1]. Single-family housing starts fell 2.8 percent from December to January and 6.5 percent year over year[2]. Consumer behavior reflects caution amid geopolitical tensions and labor softness, with lock-in effects lingering despite better affordability[1][3].

Industry leaders like Realtor.com highlight a fertile spring for buyers, while Homes.com economists note normalization, not weakness, with balanced regional trends[1][4]. No major deals, partnerships, or regulatory shifts emerged in the latest data, but experts forecast 2 percent home price growth and 3 to 4 percent purchase volume rise in 2026, keeping prices range-bound[3].

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