Realtor.com Pro

The housing market is shifting in buyers' favor. Active inventory is up 8.9% compared to last year, home prices have fallen 2.4%, the biggest weekly drop on record since Realtor.com started tracking in 2018, and homes are taking six days longer to sell.

It's the third straight week of price declines, and Realtor.com economists say the slowdown "goes beyond normal seasonality." Mortgage rates are also lower than they were a year ago, with the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.11% for the week ending Feb. 5, according to Freddie Mac.

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Your garage door covers nearly 40% of your home's front exterior, and neglecting it can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more to replace, while also hurting curb appeal and turning off buyers.

A worn or misaligned door can get stuck, collapse, invite pests and water damage, create security vulnerabilities, and reduce energy efficiency. Experts recommend cleaning and waxing steel doors with car wax at least twice a year, washing windows with dish soap or vinegar and water, and scheduling a professional inspection after any major storm.

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One home upgrade that always helps a home sell faster 🗣️👇

Buyers have more negotiating power than they have had in years across much of the country, according to Realtor.com's inaugural Market Clock Report.

Eight of the 50 largest metros have fully shifted into buyer's market territory, including Atlanta, Austin, Miami, Nashville, and Tampa, while 23 more are balanced but loosening. Sellers still hold the upper hand in at least 13 metros, making the market the most fragmented since at least 2018. Key signs of the shift include rising inventory, slower sales, and longer days on market. The typical home sat on the market for 57 days in March, four days longer than a year ago. Still, conditions vary widely by location, price range, and property type, and buyers should focus on local trends rather than national averages.

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The 2026 spring housing market is showing more momentum than any spring since 2022, with new listings up 1.1% year over year and contract signings up 2.9%, according to a new Realtor.com analysis.

Economists say realistic pricing from the start, rather than repeated price cuts, is emerging as a key driver of buyer activity in markets like Austin, Phoenix, and Jacksonville.

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Pending home sales rose 1.4% month over month and 3.2% year over year in April, according to the National Association of Realtors, as buyers cautiously returned to the spring market.

For-sale inventory improved 4.6% from a year ago, and new listings climbed 1.1% annually while asking prices fell year over year for the sixth consecutive month. Mortgage rates ended April around 6.3%, roughly half a percentage point below a year ago, preserving some buying power.

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Buyers may not need as much cash upfront as they once did.

The median down payment fell 19% year over year to $23,400 in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest level in four years, according to a new Realtor.com report. The average down payment was 12.8% of the purchase price, down 1.2 percentage points from a year earlier.

Rising inventory, slower price growth, and a median of 52 days on market have shifted leverage toward buyers, reducing the pressure to lead with an outsized down payment. FHA and VA loans, which require little to no money down, now account for more than a third of all purchase mortgages. Nearly 40% of potential sellers also expect to make concessions to close deals, up from 30% in 2025.

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If you're planning to sell your home this summer, flowering annuals are one of the quickest and most affordable ways to improve curb appeal.

Unlike perennials, which can take two to three years to fully bloom, annuals provide color and texture the same season you plant them. Horticulturist Justin Hancock of Costa Farms recommends petunias for sunny spots, impatiens for shade, and zinnias for low-maintenance color that attracts pollinators. Snapdragons add vertical interest and fragrance, heliotropes offer a vanilla-like scent near entryways, and vincas thrive in heat with blooms that last all season.

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Agents, your clients are asking the right questions before hiring a listing agent. Make sure you have great answers ready. From pricing strategy to marketing plans to communication style, here's exactly what buyers and sellers should be asking, and what separates a good agent from a great one.

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Agents, here’s a must-share reminder for your clients:
The agent you choose can make or break your experience, and your bottom line.

🏠 Buyers: The wrong fit could mean overpaying or missing out.
💰 Sellers: It could mean leaving thousands on the table.

The truth is, your agent matters more than you think.

Work with someone who knows the market, communicates clearly, and puts your goals first!