Real Estate News 03/13/2026

Mortgage rates are improving faster than early 2026 forecasts, with Freddie Mac reporting rates now dipping below 6%. Combined with about $30,000 more buying power for median-income households over the past year, this shift could start bringing sidelined buyers back into the market.

In The News:

Zillow –“Mortgage Rates are Improving Faster than Early Forecasts Expected in 2026.“ (02--26-2026)

“Mortgage rates are falling faster than expected, with Freddie Mac reporting rates below 6% and boosting buying power by about $30,000 for median-income households.”

Realtor –“February 2026 Monthly Housing Report: Inventory Rises as Prices Edge Down“ (03-05-2026)

“Active listings climbed 7.9% year over year—the 28th straight monthly gain—yet growth has slowed for nine consecutive months...”

CBS Hunting–“House hunting? Here's what to know as the spring buying season arrives.” (03-06-2026)

“Conditions are better because the mortgage rates are lower and home prices went up slower than wages in the last year.”

Realtor –“Four Years Into the High-Rate Era: How the Housing Market Changed and Why Prices Didn’t Reset” (02-23-2026)

“The housing market has seen a sharp contraction in sales and mobility, but there has been no broad price correction, even as inventory more than doubled nationwide.”

AP News –“Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks up to 6%, ending a three-week slide“ (03-05-2026)

“The modest increase ends a three-week slide in the average rate, which has been hovering around 6% this year..”