Sellers Are Pricing to Sell — And Inventory Is Rising. Here’s What That Means for Buyers Right Now.
For the week of June 1, 2026
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The problem with the future is that it keeps turning into the present.”—Bill Watterson, American cartoonist
NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE
Inventory continued to build, with the number of homes for sale remaining above year-ago levels. New listings also increased compared to last year, giving buyers more choices as the summer market begins.
Listing prices declined year over year for the 19th consecutive week, the longest streak on record. Sellers appear to be adjusting pricing expectations upfront rather than relying on later price reductions, creating more realistic opportunities for buyers.
Mortgage demand continues to show signs of resilience despite affordability challenges. Consumer credit conditions improved in spring, delinquency trends eased, and mortgage demand strengthened as buyers selectively reentered the market.
REVIEW OF LAST WEEK
RECORD RUN CONTINUES…stocks reached fresh record highs last week as investors welcomed signs of easing energy-market pressures and continued confidence in the underlying strength of the U.S. economy.
Bond markets also improved as oil prices moved lower and optimism grew around a potential long-term reopening of key global shipping routes. Investors increasingly focused on economic fundamentals rather than geopolitical headlines.
Economic growth continues to show surprising resilience. Consumer spending remains solid, business investment is accelerating, and corporate profits continue supporting confidence across financial markets.
The week ended with the Dow up 0.7%, to 51,032, the S&P 500 up 0.2%, to 7,580, and the Nasdaq up 0.2%, to 26,973.
Bond yields moved modestly lower as investors responded to improving energy-market conditions and signs of stabilizing inflation expectations. Mortgage rates remain elevated but have generally stabilized in recent weeks.
DID YOU KNOW…Sellers are increasingly pricing homes more competitively from the start, with fewer price reductions occurring after listings hit the market. This trend suggests the recent softness in listing prices reflects changing seller expectations rather than weakening housing demand.
THIS WEEK’S FORECAST
JOBS DATA, PMI, PRODUCTIVITY…Markets will focus on Friday’s jobs report along with manufacturing and services activity data for clues about economic momentum. Labor market strength remains one of the most important factors shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations. Housing markets continue to benefit from improving inventory and more realistic seller pricing, but mortgage rates remain a key affordability hurdle. Strong economic data could support buyer confidence while also reinforcing expectations for steady Fed policy.
FEDERAL RESERVE WATCH
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. Investors see the Fed holding rates steady for now, with any policy changes likely dependent on future inflation data. Note: In the lower chart, the 0.7% probability of change means there’s a 99.3% probability the rate will stay the same. Current rate is 3.50%–3.75%.
AFTER FOMC MEETING ON: CONSENSUS
Jun 17th 3.50%-3.75%
Jun 29th 3.50%-3.75%
Sep 16th 3.50%-3.75%
Probability of change from current policy:
AFTER FOMC MEETING ON: CONSENSUS
Jun 17th 0.7%
Jun 29th 4.9%
Sep 16th 21.0%
BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK
Write down clear goals for your business. Then break them down into the actionable steps it will take to achieve them—all the activities that drive your pipeline, from finding leads to closing deals. Above all, keep tracking your progress.
Ready to Make Your Move? Let’s Talk Strategy.
The market is shifting — and the buyers who win are the ones who show up prepared. Whether you’re trying to figure out your buying power, eyeing a refinance, or just want to understand what these numbers actually mean for you, a quick conversation can go a long way.
Schedule a Mortgage Strategy Call with Kevin Brierton and we’ll walk through where rates are, what the market looks like in your area, and what your best next step looks like — no pressure, just a real conversation.
📅 Schedule Your Call Here = https://kevinbrierton.com/call/
Kevin Brierton | Your No Excuse Lender | Branch Manager, SVP of Mortgage Lending | NMLS 599873 | Luminate Bank NMLS #1281698
