Homebuyers Find Hope as Housing Forecast Shows Improvement

WHO:

Fast Company - Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com

CNBC - Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors

WHAT:

Fast Company - Home prices increased by 1.2% this year, which is half of the projected growth for 2026.

CNBC - Sales of previously owned homes in June dropped by 2.4% from May to 4.09 million units on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis.

CNBC - The median price of an existing home sold in June was $440,600, an increase of 1.8% from the previous year, marking the highest price on record.

Fast Company - The average monthly home payment in 2026 is expected to be 1.9% lower than the previous year.

CNBC - Inventory at the end of June was 1.56 million units, down 0.6% from May but up 1.3% from June 2025.

WHERE:

CNBC - The data pertains to the U.S. housing market, specifically referencing top metro areas.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The report discusses projections for the year 2026.

CNBC - The sales data is for June, with comparisons to May and June of the previous year.

WHY:

Fast Company - The slower growth in home prices is attributed to softer sales and asking prices.

CNBC - High mortgage rates and record-high prices are causing homebuyers to pull back.

HOW:

Fast Company - The report indicates that the drop in home price forecast is based on trends in sales and inventory levels.

CNBC - The sales count represents closed sales, likely influenced by contracts signed in May when mortgage rates were rising.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 19:28 UTC)

Home prices in the U.S. have increased by 1.2% this year, which is only half of the projected growth for 2026, according to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com. Meanwhile, sales of previously owned homes in June fell by 2.4% from May, totaling 4.09 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, while the median price for an existing home reached a record high of $440,600, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Experts attribute the slower growth in home prices to high mortgage rates and record prices, which are causing homebuyers to pull back, and the drop in sales is likely influenced by contracts signed in May when mortgage rates were rising.