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What the latest mortgage data tells us about home sales in 2026

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  Published in House and Home on Monday, October 20th 2025 at 23:59 GMT by HousingWire
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Mortgage Data Signals a Gradual Home‑Sale Rebound in 2026

HousingWire’s latest analysis, “What the Latest Mortgage Data Tells Us About Home Sales in 2026,” dives deep into current mortgage statistics to forecast the trajectory of U.S. home‑sales over the next year. The piece pulls together data from a range of industry sources—including the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR)—to paint a picture of an economy that is stabilizing after a tumultuous 2024‑2025 period marked by aggressive rate hikes and inventory shortages.

1. Current Mortgage Landscape

The article opens by noting a dramatic shift in mortgage rates over the past twelve months. While the 30‑year fixed‑rate surged above 7% in early 2024, the most recent figures (April 2025) show a modest decline to around 6.5%. This easing is attributed to the Fed’s decision to pause further rate increases in March after reaching a peak policy rate of 5.25%. The median monthly payment for a $300,000 purchase—using the current 6.5% rate—now sits near $1,800, a 9% drop from the same period last year, according to the MBA’s “Monthly Mortgage Market Survey.”

HousingWire also highlights that the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) has risen to 0.73, up from a low of 0.47 in the summer of 2024. An MCAI above 0.50 indicates that lenders are moderately willing to extend new mortgages, a sign that credit conditions are becoming less restrictive.

2. Housing Supply and Demand

While lower rates improve affordability on paper, the article stresses that supply constraints remain a critical factor. The NAR’s “Existing‑Home Sales” report for Q1 2025 shows that inventory remains a 2.4‑month supply, far below the 6‑month level deemed healthy for a balanced market. Consequently, home prices have continued to climb, with the median listing price in the U.S. up 14% year‑over‑year.

The piece also cites a “Housing Affordability Index” published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For the first time since 2018, the index has edged up by 2.3 points, reflecting a modest improvement in affordability as mortgage rates eased. Yet the index still indicates that 70% of buyers are priced out of the market, underscoring the persistence of affordability challenges.

3. Economic Indicators That Matter

HousingWire weaves in macro‑economic data to give context to mortgage trends. Employment figures, with a 3.1% unemployment rate in March 2025, point to a resilient labor market, which supports consumer confidence. Meanwhile, the GDP growth of 2.4% in Q1 2025 provides further evidence of economic strength that could buoy housing demand.

The article also brings attention to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) “Home Price Index,” which indicates a 9% rise in home prices from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025. Though growth is slowing relative to the pandemic‑era surge, it remains a positive sign for sellers and could spur an increase in housing starts.

4. Forecast for 2026

Putting the pieces together, the author presents a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2026. Key points include:

• Mortgage Rate Expectations: Should the Fed maintain its pause and the economy stay robust, mortgage rates are likely to hover around 6% in early 2026. This would sustain the affordability momentum seen in the latter half of 2025.

• Supply‑Side Stimulus: An uptick in construction is projected, with the NAR’s “Housing Starts” forecast showing a 3% increase over 2025 levels. This could begin to ease the inventory shortage, especially in suburban markets.

• Home‑Sale Volume: Combining the above factors, the MBA’s “Projected Home‑Sale Volume” model suggests a 4–6% rebound in home‑sales relative to 2025. This is still below pre‑pandemic peaks but represents the strongest growth seen since 2020.

• Affordability Outlook: The Housing Affordability Index could improve modestly by 3–4 points in 2026, assuming rates do not rise sharply. However, price growth in the high‑demand urban centers may still outpace affordability gains, keeping a segment of buyers out of the market.

5. Links and Data Sources

The article references several external reports and datasets that add depth to its analysis:

• Fed’s “H.15” Statement – Provides the most recent policy rate decisions and forward guidance.
• MBA’s “Monthly Mortgage Market Survey” – Details loan volume, delinquency rates, and rates across loan types.
• NAR’s “Existing‑Home Sales” and “New‑Construction” Reports – Offer quarterly insights into inventory and price trends.
• HUD’s Housing Affordability Index – Gives a nationwide view of affordability relative to median income.
• FHFA’s “House Price Index” – Tracks price changes across metropolitan areas.

Each of these links offers up‑to‑date figures that underpin the article’s conclusions. By synthesizing this data, HousingWire presents a coherent narrative that connects mortgage market dynamics with the broader housing ecosystem, offering readers a clear picture of what to expect in 2026.

6. Takeaway

In sum, the latest mortgage data signals a softening of the hard‑balled housing market of 2024. Lower rates, improved credit availability, and a modest uptick in construction suggest that home‑sales will begin to recover modestly in 2026. However, persistent inventory shortages and price pressures—particularly in major urban centers—will keep affordability a central hurdle for many prospective buyers. The article urges stakeholders to monitor Fed policy moves closely, as any shift could ripple through mortgage rates and, by extension, home‑sales volume in the coming year.