April 10, 2026 Economic and Housing Market Update

April 10, 2026

Overview

The Realtor.com® economics team video update gives you the relevant economic and real estate information you need to know each week, every Friday, to navigate the housing market as a homebuyer, home seller, or industry professional.
For the week ending April 10, Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale discusses the latest mortgage rate data and how the conflict in Iran is squeezing homebuyers.
She then covers the latest weekly housing data from Realtor.com, showing fewer new sellers in the last week as early-spring holidays and rising mortgage rates slowed activity. Danielle discusses the Best Time to Sell and highlights which local markets already show favorable conditions.
Finally, Danielle digs into three recent Realtor.com Economics reports: a look at the Hottest Housing Markets for March 2026; a review of the March Luxury report, digging into ‘pure luxury’ markets; and finally, a look at the brand new tool we just launched, the Realtor.com Market Clock, which makes it easier for buyers and sellers to understand the housing market.
Find all the details, including full reports and our housing data for download at realtor.com/research. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates. And Instagram @realtordotcomecon for graphics.

Reports and articles referenced

Housing data for download

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

The situation in the middle east continues to dominate headlines, but a ceasefire has already had an impact on mortgage rates. I’m Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com ® and I’ll share what buyers and sellers need to know to navigate the spring housing market.
Following the ceasefire in Iran, we have 2 different indicators to consider. The most recently released–Consumer Price Index–tracks inflation. Importantly, it covers the month of March and does not reflect any post ceasefire data. Not surprisingly, the data showed an increase in overall prices largely driven by rising energy costs. But even core inflation picked up, underscoring the strain consumer budgets have endured.
After 5 weeks of increases, mortgage rates dropped 9 basis points, a housing-friendly move and quick reaction to the ceasefire. In order to see mortgage rates drop further, markets need to see more progress toward a longer-term resolution of the conflict that keeps the Strait of Hormuz open.
Weekly housing data showed fewer new sellers in the last week as earlier spring holidays higher mortgage rates cut into activity. I expect some rebound next week, so it will take a few weeks to see the underlying trend. Active listings growth continued, but at a slower pace and the typical asking price continues to hover roughly 2% below where it was at this time last year.
We’re approaching the seasonal best time to sell with homeowners in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seeing peak conditions right now and 12 major metros plus the U.S. average pointing to ideal selling conditions next week.
Homeowners contemplating a sale in the Hottest Housing markets may not need to focus on lining up with seasonal trends. Data show that homes continue to sell quickly and buyer demand is strong in the Northeast and Midwest where many of the country’s hottest housing markets are found.
In addition to tracking monthly trends, the March Luxury report dug into ‘pure luxury’ markets, where million dollar listings are the majority. The data shows that coastlines, mountains, and resort-areas are home to some of the country’s priciest enclaves.
Finally, this week we launched a new tool to make it easier for buyers and sellers to understand the housing market and for professionals to help communicate the vast amount of information available on the housing market in a simple indicator. It’s called the Realtor.com Market Clock. Right now, the U.S. Market Clock reads 3 o’clock indicating that the market is balanced, but moving in a buyer-friendly direction. Across the 50-largest markets however, we see just about every hour on the clock represented, reflecting just how fragmented the U.S. housing market is right now. Put simply, your local market may or may not be a match for national housing trends, and the Market Clock will help you assess that in a glance.
You can find all the details including the Market Clock, full reports and our housing data for download, at realtor.com/research. You can also follow us on X (formerly twitter) for real time updates. And instagram for graphics.