Updated about 11 hours ago on .
2026 Spring Housing Market is the 4th Dud in a Row
2026 Spring housing market is the 4th dud in a row.
Mortgage purchase applications came in 34% below the same week in 2019.
Pending home sales are still 30% below March 2019 levels, hovering near record lows.
Inflation is re-accelerating. The Fed is now talking rate HIKES as the next move .
The story heading into 2026 was that falling rates would finally unlock demand. That didn't happen. Inflation didn't cooperate.
The Fed forced mortgage rates below 3%, triggering the worst inflation in 40 years. Home prices exploded 2020–2022. Now we're living with the consequences.
Buyers can't afford the prices. Sellers won't move. Four years and no resolution in sight.
Who blinks first ? Buyers, sellers, or the Fed?