Each month, the Research Update report provides a summary of the data, reports, blog posts, and instant reactions produced by NAR's research team.
March 2026
Data
Existing-Home Sales
Existing-home sales decreased by 3.6% month-over-month in March, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales report. Month-over-month sales fell in all four regions. Year-over-year sales rose in the South and West and fell in the Northeast and Midwest.
Pending Home Sales
Pending home sales in March increased by 1.5% from the prior month and declined 1.1% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Pending Home Sales report. Month-over-month pending home sales rose in the Northeast and South, and declined in the Midwest and West. Year-over-year pending home sales rose in the South, and declined in the Northeast, Midwest and West.
Housing Affordability Index
The Housing Affordability Index fell slightly to 113.7 in March, down from 117.5 in February and up from 104.2 a year ago.
REALTORS® Confidence Index
41 days was the median time on market for properties, down from 47 days last month and up from 36 days in March 2025. 32% of sales were first-time homebuyers, down from 34% in February and unchanged from one year ago. 27% of transactions were cash sales, down from 31% a month ago and up slightly from 26% in March 2025. 18% of transactions were individual investors or second-home buyers, up from 16% last month and 15% one year ago.
How REALTORS® Can Use This
REALTORS® can use existing-home sales and pending home sales data to gauge current demand trends and anticipate market shifts. They can also utilize the affordability and quarterly data to identify pricing patterns and assess buyer capacity across different regions to adapt strategies for their clients.
Videos
- Ask the Economist: What Can Communities Do To Address the Housing Crisis?
- Ask the Economist: What Loan Options Exist for First-Time Home Buyers With Less Than 20% Down Payment?
- Ask the Economist: How Does Consumer Confidence Impact Real Estate?
How REALTORS® Can Use This
“Ask the Economist” is a new video series that gives REALTORS® a quick, easy-to-digest update on new economic trends and market activity, straight from NAR's Research Team. REALTORS® can use this in listing appointments to show buyers/sellers they’re up-to-date on interest rates, housing inventory, etc.; buyer consultations to explain why now might be a good time to act or wait based on real data; email follow-ups: “Here’s what NAR’s latest economist update says about local trends.”
Reports
- Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends
- March 2026 Commercial Real Estate Market Insights
- Health Insurance Survey (member login required)
How REALTORS® Can Use This
REALTORS® can leverage NAR reports to provide clients with data-driven insights on specific market conditions and equip themselves with important knowledge about the market. This empowers members to assist buyers and sellers in making informed decisions regarding timing, pricing, and location.
Articles on the Economy
- A New Look at Housing Affordability: The Insurance-Adjusted HAI
- All Real Estate Is Local: Commercial Real Estate Market Trends by Metro Area
- Instant Reaction: Jobs, April 3, 2026
- Market Dynamics to Expect in April: Sales, Inventory, and Buyer Trends
- Where Single Women Are Leading the Market
- Who Owns Homes Across America? It Often Depends on What People Do for a Living
- Housing Shortage Tracker: Stabilization at the End of 2025
- Renters Are Staying Longer, and It’s Not Just Homeowners Who Are Feeling Locked In
- Industry Powerhouses & the Economics of Empowerment: Celebrating Women in the Housing Market
How REALTORS® Can Use This
REALTORS® can use the Economists’ Outlook blog to stay updated on experts’ commentary, economic forecasts, housing market outlooks, and regional trends, and then use these insights to help clients on timing purchases or sales based on anticipated market movement. By sharing analysis of the housing market and translating it into consumer-friendly guidance, agents can build credibility and empower their clients to navigate the housing market with confidence.