House hunting? Here's what to know as the spring buying season arrives.

March 7, 2026

TL;DR

Home price appreciation has slowed to 1.1% annually, down from 4.1% a year ago.
Mortgage rates have risen to 6% but are still lower than the 6.6% seen in March 2025.
Sellers now outnumber buyers by approximately 600,000, indicating a loosening market.
Despite improvements, housing inventory remains tight, with a shortage of affordable homes.
New listings decreased by 6.1% in February compared to the previous year.
Inventory is most limited in the Midwest and Northeast, while the South and West have more available properties.
Cities like San Jose, Seattle, and Portland have seen the largest growth in new inventory.

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