Realtor.com Prepares Week of Housing Market Data Releases

The Realtor.com economic research team is set to release a comprehensive suite of market reports and economic indicators throughout the upcoming week, offering insights into various facets of the U.S. housing market. Senior economists Hannah Jones and Anthony Smith will initiate the week on Monday morning with the unveiling of the Summer 2026 Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Housing and Luxury Market Rankings. These rankings are anticipated to provide a detailed overview of market performance and luxury segment trends across different regions. Anthony Smith will further contribute to the week's analysis on Wednesday by debuting his "Low-Key Luxe" series, which will focus specifically on the high-end residential properties in Delaware. This series aims to explore the unique characteristics and dynamics of luxury home markets in specific geographic areas. Economist Jiayi Xu is scheduled to present findings on second-quarter rental trends, with dedicated reports for New York City on Tuesday and Los Angeles on Thursday. These reports will likely detail shifts in rental prices, vacancy rates, and tenant demand in two of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. Key economic data releases are expected to shed light on underlying market fundamentals. On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey is projected to indicate that homeownership rates are remaining notably stable, even in the face of affordability challenges. The survey is also expected to show rental vacancies moving closer to their pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a normalization in the rental market. Also on Tuesday, the Case-Shiller home price index is anticipated to report modest national home price growth. This growth is expected to be primarily driven by strength observed in the Midwest and Northeast regions, while the South and West may experience declines. Monetary policy will be a significant focus on Wednesday when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convenes to vote on interest rate policy. The benchmark federal funds rate is widely expected to remain unchanged, holding steady within the current range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Following the FOMC's decision, Senior Economist Joel Berner will be closely monitoring Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's press conference to provide immediate analysis and insights into the Fed's economic outlook and future policy intentions. Looking ahead to Thursday, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, will be released. This report, along with ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, are identified as the primary factors that could influence mortgage rates. Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage rate report, also due on Thursday, will reveal whether the recent three-week trend of rising mortgage rates will continue or if potential buyers will experience some relief. For comprehensive access to these reports, the Market Clock, and raw housing data, interested parties can visit realtor.com/research.