Housing demand is still positive even with epic snowstorm
Despite a major snowstorm and Fed news, housing data stayed positive as mortgage rates held near 6% and purchase apps rose 18% year over year.
Purchase Applications
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Lower mortgage rates boosting demand early in 2026
Mortgage rates near 6% are driving higher home sales and applications, with inventory and new listings also rising in 2026.
Housing demand is off to a solid start in 2026
Mortgage rates and spreads stabilize, driving growth in home sales and inventory for the 2026 housing market.
The impact of lower mortgage rates on housing inventory
U.S. housing inventory growth slowed to 9.99% year-over-year last week as mortgage rates near 6% and price cuts reach 34.7%.
Why didn’t double-digit growth in purchase apps lead to more home sales in 2025?
Despite double-digit growth in purchase applications for much of 2025, existing home sales increased only modestly from 2024.
Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline
Despite steady mortgage rates, market trends like a softening job market and elevated inventories continue to impact application volumes.
Why did the growth rate of housing inventory drop by half this year?
Housing inventory growth slowed from over 30% to 13.54% in 2025 as new listings and sales trends shifted late in the year.
Weekly housing demand reaches multiyear high
Weekly pending home sales reach multiyear highs as mortgage rates stay near 6% and inventory growth slows.
December housing demand near 3-year high as spreads improve
Mortgage purchase applications hit a three-year high as improved spreads and lower rates drive 18 weeks of growth.
December housing data provides early signals for 2026 market
December’s housing data, especially purchase apps and inventory, will offer a preview of 2026 market conditions as rates hold steady.