The picture of an American springtime usually looks something like this: sunny days, chittering birds, and, on many suburban streets, a congested driveway full of eager prospective homebuyers gathering for an open house.
Spring is usually when the U.S. housing market heats up, as potential buyers start shopping ahead of desired summer move-ins. But the 2026 housing market has gotten off to a rough start, as affordability concerns continue to weigh down activity and disrupt the industry’s seasonal rhythm.
The regional picture is mixed. The Midwest and parts of the northeastern U.S. have seen modest activity gains, while affordability constraints have been most acute in Western states. Yun said that adding between 300,000 and 500,000 homes for sale would help return the market “closer to normal conditions.”
