NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 0.3% Increase in August

NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 0.3% Increase in August: NAR's Pending Home Sales Report shows contract signings increased 0.3% in August 2026, with gains in the South and West offset by declines in the Northeast and Midwest. Compared to a year ago, pending sales were down 4.7% across all regions. Higher mortgage rates continued to weigh on buyer activity despite job growth, rising incomes, and improved purchasing power.

NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.0% Decrease in August

NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.0% Decrease in August: Existing-home sales declined 2.0% month-over-month and 1.2% year-over-year in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, NAR reported. Inventory rose to 1.62 million units, a 4.9-month supply and the highest in over a decade, giving buyers more room to negotiate.

There’s No Single “Data Center Effect” on Housing Markets, NAR Report Finds

There’s No Single “Data Center Effect” on Housing Markets, NAR Report Finds: A new NAR report finds data centers affect housing markets very differently depending on location. While 92% of U.S. counties have no mapped data centers, high-concentration counties tend to have higher home values, incomes and job growth. But NAR cautions correlation isn't causation, as these were already affluent tech hubs. Energy and water costs top REALTORS®' client concerns.

Home Prices Increased in 80% of Metro Areas in Second Quarter of 2026

Home Prices Increased in 80% of Metro Areas in Second Quarter of 2026: NAR's Q2 2026 report found home prices increased in 80% of metro areas, with the national median existing single-family home price rising 1.5% year over year to $434,900. Sales improved in most regions despite higher mortgage rates, while affordability benefited from income growth. The report also highlights top-performing, most expensive, and most affordable housing markets.

Foreign Buyers Purchased $45.3 Billion Worth of U.S. Homes from April ‘25 to March ‘26

Foreign Buyers Purchased $45.3 Billion Worth of U.S. Homes from April ‘25 to March ‘26: Foreign buyers purchased 67,100 U.S. homes worth $45.3 billion from April 2025 to March 2026, according to NAR's latest report. Purchases fell 14% and dollar volume declined 19.1% from the prior year. Canada led in buyer share, while China generated the highest dollar volume. Florida remained the top destination for international buyers.

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance. 

Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it's become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that's especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.

The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here's what buyers should know.

Home Insurance Costs Have Gone Up

You've probably heard stories from friends or family about their premiums going up. And that’s not really a surprise when you consider data from the Pew Research Center shows 71% of homeowners say their insurance costs have gone up over the past few years.

While no one likes rising costs, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead. Your first insurance payment is typically included in your closing costs, but after that it'll become part of your monthly housing expenses.

Getting an insurance quote early can help you build a more realistic budget and avoid surprises later.

Premiums Are Rising, But Not as Fast as They Were

Most of the headlines focus on how home insurance is getting more expensive. And that's true. But here’s the part that’s easy to miss.

Insurance premiums are still rising.

But they're not rising as fast as they were.

According to the latest report from Rate Insurance, 2025 saw the first slowdown in annual premium increases since 2019 (see graph below):

 

That doesn't mean premiums are getting cheaper. It simply means the rapid increases of the past several years may finally be starting to ease – a small but welcome step in the right direction.

But what you’ll pay in one part of the country can look very different from what someone pays somewhere else.

Where You Buy Can Make a Big Difference

Insurance costs vary because some parts of the country experience more claims than others. That's why it's important to look at what's happening locally.

Your premium will depend on things like where you're buying, the home itself, and the coverage you choose.

Forbes data can give a rough idea of your state’s typical premiums. Check out the map below – the darker the blue, the higher the costs tend to be in that state:

Ways To Lower Your Costs

While you can't control every cost that comes with buying a home, you can control how prepared you are. If you’re crunching the numbers and trying to find ways to save, Insurify and NerdWallet offer these tips that can help you get the best insurance price possible:

• Shop Around – Compare quotes from multiple companies.

• Bundle Policies – Combine home and auto to see if a bundle price is cheaper.

• Ask If There Are Discounts – Don’t miss out on savings you may qualify for.

• Highlight Upgrades – Features like a new roof or storm windows can cut costs.

• Improve Your Credit – A stronger credit score can mean better premiums.

One of the smartest things you can do is get an insurance quote before you make an offer. That way, you'll know what your monthly housing costs are likely to be before you commit.

An insurance professional can walk you through your options and help you find coverage that fits both your needs and your budget.

Bottom Line

Homeowners insurance has become a bigger part of the homebuying conversation. But it doesn't have to become a bigger source of stress.

The key is knowing what to expect before you buy. Get an insurance quote early, factor it into your budget, and lean on trusted local professionals to help you make the most informed decision possible.

The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You

 

The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You

Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too. 

That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive.

• A concession is something a seller agrees to during negotiations to get a deal done.

• An incentive is a perk a builder (or a seller) advertises upfront to attract buyers.

Let’s run through what you need to know about both and how they could play a role in your move.

More Sellers Are Agreeing to Concessions

Almost half (46%) of homeowners who sold recently gave the buyer a concession, according to Redfin. That’s the highest share on record for this time of year. And roughly 1 in 7 (16%) sellers went a step further, cutting their asking price and offering a concession on top (see chart below):

 

So, what kind of concessions are we talking about?

A seller might cover part of your closing costs, take care of a repair, or offer a credit that trims your upfront costs. It’s how they keep a deal on track when buyers have more options to choose from – and homeowners aren’t the only ones compromising.

Builders Are Cutting Prices, Too

Newly built homes are seeing the same push and pull. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 62% of builders are offering incentives right now. And about 35% are cutting prices outright (see chart below):

Those incentives often look like:

• Price adjustments

• Mortgage rate buydowns

• Free upgrades, like nicer finishes or appliances

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains why:

"New construction has been one of the steadiest parts of the housing market over the past few years, but builders are clearly responding to today's affordability pressures and higher levels of existing-home inventory."

Even builders, who many people think rarely negotiate, are competing on price and perks. They have been for over a year now. The same data shows this is the 15th straight month where more than 60% of builders have offered incentives to sweeten the deal. And that’s significant.

What This Means for Your Move

If you're buying, this is a good time to ask. Whether you have your eye on an existing house or a newly built home, there's a chance the seller or builder will meet you partway on price, terms, or both.

If you're selling, expect buyers to ask. Even builders of brand-new homes are making concessions more often than not right now. Holding firm on every term could mean more time on the market, or a lost sale altogether.

Bottom Line

Sellers and builders are both giving buyers more to work with this year. Want to know what’s realistic to expect in concessions and incentives in our market? Let’s connect.