PR Newswire·Oct 19, 2026, 6:00 AM ET

Realtor.com® Market Clock® Report: Buyers Gain Ground as Mortgage Rates Top 7%

NWSA NWS

The national Realtor.com Market Clock reading shifted to 4 o'clock (late balanced loosening toward buyers) from 3 o'clock last quarter.
Approximately two-thirds of the 99 monitored metros now favor buyers outright or are moving in that direction.
Mortgage rates increased 74 basis points from 6.66% in late August to 7.40% on October 8.
Higher rates reduced purchasing power by 7.2% for a $2,000 monthly budget, equating to over $22,000 less in home price.
Buyers have gained negotiating leverage on price & terms, but rising financing costs continue to limit overall affordability.
Regional analysis shows the Midwest holds 16 of 18 seller's markets, while the South contains 14 of 17 buyer's markets.
The Midwest has the strongest seller presence, whereas the West moved three metros into buyer's market territory by September.
Austin, Seattle, Salt Lake City, & Portland moved two hours toward buyers over the past quarter.
Greenville, South Carolina & Nashville reached the peak-buyer position (6 o'clock).
Eleven metros have remained seller's markets for every month of the clock's history.
Atlanta, Denver, & San Antonio are among balanced markets likely to tip into buyer's territory as winter approaches.
Columbus & Indianapolis are the closest seller's markets to potentially end years-long seller dominance.
The report excludes Jackson, Mississippi, due to a county-level gap in transaction records.
Data combines inventory, recorded transactions, & sales projections based on contract activity through September 2026.