US Housing Market Stabilizes Amid Easing Rates and Rising Inventory cover art

US Housing Market Stabilizes Amid Easing Rates and Rising Inventory

US Housing Market Stabilizes Amid Easing Rates and Rising Inventory

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 In the past 48 hours, the US housing industry shows signs of stabilization amid easing mortgage rates and rising inventory, though activity dipped slightly due to weather. Mortgage rates fell to a three-year low of 6.16 percent for 30-year fixed loans as of February 11, down from 6.63 percent in March 2025, driven partly by President Trumps directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy 200 billion dollars in mortgage-backed securities.[9][8]

Active inventory slipped 1.2 percent week-over-week to 687,697 homes but remains up 8.8 percent year-over-year, signaling more buyer options.[6] In Houston, active listings rose 15.7 percent from January 2025, with homes averaging 66 days on market, the longest since February 2020; total sales fell 2.2 percent year-over-year but pending sales jumped 8.5 percent, indicating sustained demand.[2]

Multifamily rents grew modestly in top markets like San Jose at 2.8 percent to 3,073 dollars per unit and Minneapolis at 2 percent to 1,497 dollars, buoyed by reduced supply pressures.[1] Single-family rentals hit a seven-year high with a 1.7 percent household increase in 2025.[1] Home prices dipped in half of the 50 largest metros over the past year, especially in Sun Belt areas like Texas, where financial stress prompts investor sales and deflationary trends.[5][9]

Compared to prior weeks, inventory growth slowed from sharper prior gains, but forecasts predict a buyer-friendly shift in 2026 with 5.2-plus months supply versus 4.7 mid-2025, existing sales up 1.7 percent to 4.13 million, and median prices at 428,000 dollars with 3 percent growth.[3][4]

Leaders respond with optimism: Realtor.com notes ringing phones from buyers, while builders offer incentives amid a 1.5 to 4 million unit shortage.[7][8] No major deals, partnerships, or regulatory shifts emerged in the last 48 hours, but lower rates spur spring activity despite no imminent Fed cuts.[9] Consumer behavior tilts toward caution in hot markets but quickens on better affordability.

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