For the week of February 2, 2026

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”—George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and critic

The housing market is finding a comfortable early-year pace. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Existing Home Sales closed out the year on firmer footing, supported by growing inventory and steady buyer interest. More listings continue to give buyers added flexibility and help transactions move forward more smoothly.

On the new-construction side, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows New Home Sales remained resilient, with builders benefiting from improved affordability and an increased supply of completed homes. These conditions are helping meet demand from buyers looking for move-in-ready options.

Meanwhile, weekly data from Realtor.com indicates active inventory remains well above year-ago levels, reinforcing the shift toward a more balanced market. Analysts note that this environment — more options, steadier pricing, and consistent demand — supports a healthy start to 2026.

STEADY START TO THE YEAR… Markets closed January on solid footing as investors grew more confident the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its tightening cycle. Stocks responded positively to signs of cooling inflation and a gradually softening labor market. Consumer spending data also pointed to resilience, helping reinforce confidence in the broader economic outlook.

Despite some day-to-day volatility, the overall takeaway from last week was stability, with investors increasingly focused on longer-term fundamentals rather than short-term swings.

Bonds held their ground, with the 30-Year UMBS 5.0% ending the week little changed. Freddie Mac reported minimal movement in the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in its Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up-to-the-minute information.

DID YOU KNOW…Industry research shows that buyers who start their home search early in the year often face less competition and have more room to negotiate — one reason the first quarter is traditionally a strong planning period for serious buyers.

JOBS, SERVICES SECTOR, CONSUMER SENTIMENT…This week features several closely watched indicators, including Nonfarm Payrolls, ISM Services, and Consumer Sentiment. Economists expect labor conditions to remain steady and service-sector activity to continue expanding, reinforcing confidence as the housing market moves deeper into the first quarter.

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. Markets continue to expect the Fed to hold steady in the near term while monitoring inflation and employment trends. Futures pricing suggests growing confidence that policy support could come later in the year if progress continues.
Current rate is 3.50%–3.75%.

Probability of change from current policy:

February is a great month to refine your systems. Take time to tighten follow-up plans, refresh marketing touchpoints, and reconnect with referral partners. Small process improvements now can make the rest of the year run smoother — and more profitably.