US Housing Market Thaws Amidst Dipping Rates and Renewed Buyer Interest (140 characters) cover art

US Housing Market Thaws Amidst Dipping Rates and Renewed Buyer Interest (140 characters)

US Housing Market Thaws Amidst Dipping Rates and Renewed Buyer Interest (140 characters)

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 The US housing market shows early signs of thawing in the past 48 hours, driven by dipping mortgage rates and modest sales gains, though activity remains subdued compared to pre-2025 levels[2][4][5].

As of January 11-15, 2026, the median monthly housing payment fell to $2,413, down 5.5% year-over-year—the largest drop since October 2024—thanks to rates sliding from 6.21% to 5.99% last Friday, before ticking up to 6.07%[2][5]. President Trump's order for federal agencies to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds boosted buyer purchasing power by about $14,000 in the last month[5]. Mortgage-purchase applications surged 16% week-over-week, and Google searches for homes for sale rose over 20% from a month ago, signaling shifting consumer behavior toward renewed interest[2][5].

Yet, pending home sales dropped 5% year-over-year, new listings fell 4.7%, and active listings hit 996,087 with 5.1 months' supply—still a seller's market[2][4][5]. Median sale prices edged up 1% to $380,606, with days on market at 59, up 6 days[5]. December existing home sales climbed 5.1% month-over-month to 4.35 million annualized—the highest since February 2023—but full-year 2025 totaled just 4.06 million, a 30-year low matching 2024[3][4].

In Houston, single-family sales hit 7,456 units in December, up 2.8% annually and 17.5% from November, with days on market at 64[1]. Regionally, sales rose across all four major areas in December, led by 6.9% in the South[4].

Compared to late 2025, inventory is up slightly (3.5% YoY in December), easing pressure, but affordability lags—pre-pandemic levels may never return without rates near 2.65%[4][12]. Leaders like Redfin note buyers in Portland are hunting deals now, expecting spring competition, while sellers cut prices amid longer market times[5]. Zillow forecasts 1.2% home value growth and affordability in 20 major markets by year-end[7][9]. NAR predicts 14% sales rise in 2026 with more inventory[10].

Overall, relief from lower rates hints at momentum, but low volume and high prices persist versus prior years' stagnation[2][4]. (298 words)

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