US Housing Market Poised for Spring Rebound, Zillow Says

03:05 PM EST, 03/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The US housing market looks set to rebound this spring after a three-year slump, as home values gained last month for the first time in seven months and existing home sales improved, Zillow (ZG) (Z, ZG) said Wednesday.

Zillow's (ZG) home value index ticked up 0.1% month over month in February, and rose 0.4% from a year earlier, it said in a news release.

Existing home sales jumped 13% sequentially and rose 1.8% year on year as affordability improved amid declining mortgage rates, Zillow (ZG) said, citing preliminary estimates.

As of Feb. 26, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped below 6% for the first time in about three-and-a-half years, Freddie Mac data showed.

"Zillow's (ZG) latest data suggests buyers and sellers are starting to regain confidence," Mischa Fisher, chief economist at the online real estate marketplace, said. "Existing home sales rose from a year ago, providing an early glimmer of hope that the housing market has turned a corner after three years bouncing along the bottom."

The typical mortgage payment has declined 7.7% year over year, excluding taxes and insurance, Zillow (ZG) said. If mortgage rates stay below 6%, more buyers and sellers may return to the market.

Active inventory increased 5% year over year in February, and was up 0.4% sequentially, it said.

"Buyers have more homes within reach to choose from to go along with these friendlier conditions," Fisher said. "Lower mortgage rates will also encourage more homeowners who have felt locked in to sell as they will be better able to afford their next home."

Price: 46.34, Change: +1.11, Percent Change: +2.45

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