Housing Report for Sep 21, 2026

The national housing market in mid-2026 is rebalancing after years of scarce inventory and elevated prices. Active for-sale listings have climbed to their highest levels since late 2019, giving buyers more choice than during the pandemic-era shortage, while existing-home sales have hovered in a relatively narrow band and price growth has slowed or turned negative in many listings series. Affordability remains the binding constraint: 30-year fixed mortgage rates near the mid-6% range keep monthly payments high, locking in many existing owners with lower-rate mortgages and muting both purchase and refinance activity.

That combination—more supply, sticky rates, and uneven regional price paths—produces very different outcomes by market. Some Midwest and Northeast metros still show firmer price support, while other areas are absorbing higher inventory with longer marketing times and more frequent price reductions. For banks, the practical questions are whether local collateral values remain supported, whether builders are still starting homes, and whether inventory gains are orderly or becoming a clearance event. This report reviews nationwide inventory, starts, and related housing indicators to frame those credit and market-risk judgments.

Nationwide Housing Inventory

Y/Y % Chg in Nationwide Housing Inventory

Nationwide Single Family Housing Starts

Nationwide Multi-Family Housing Starts

Nationwide Median Home Price

Y/Y % Chg in Nationwide Median Home Price