April Housing Market Sees Shrinking Seller-Buyer Gap
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 12 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Buyer Return Trend: In April, the estimated number of homebuyers reached around 1 million, marking a 2% increase from March, the largest rise in 13 months, indicating a rebound in buyer demand due to a stabilizing job market and reduced recession risks, which could further drive market recovery.
- Seller Count Changes: The estimated number of sellers in April was about 1.5 million, up 1.3% month-over-month, and while this represents the largest increase in a year, it still lags behind the growth in buyers, suggesting a gradual improvement in market supply-demand dynamics and a potential weakening of buyer market characteristics.
- Market Dynamics Analysis: Among 49 major U.S. metropolitan areas, 34 remain in buyer's market territory, but 19 are showing signs of weakening buyer market strength, particularly in West Palm Beach, where sellers outnumber buyers by 80.2%, indicating a shift towards a more balanced market.
- Impact of New Construction: The increase in new construction significantly influences the negotiating power of buyers and sellers, especially in Florida and Texas, where ample housing supply persists, contributing to the ongoing buyer's market, despite high housing costs pushing many potential buyers out of the market.
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Analyst Views on RKT
Wall Street analysts forecast RKT stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 14.400
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
Current: 14.400
Low
18.00
Averages
22.18
High
25.00
About RKT
Rocket Companies, Inc. operates a fintech platform including mortgage, real estate and personal finance businesses: Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Rocket Close, Rocket Money and Rocket Loans. Its suite of products empowers its clients across home search, mortgage finance and servicing, title and closing, financial wellness and personal loans. It operates in two segments: Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. In the Direct to Consumer segment, clients have the ability to interact with Rocket Mortgage digitally and/or with the Company's mortgage bankers. It markets to potential clients in this segment through various brand campaigns and performance marketing channels. It provides client service and leverages its brand to strengthen its wholesale relationships, through Rocket Pro, as well as enterprise partnerships, both driving growth in its Partner Network segment. Its enterprise partnerships include financial institutions and consumer-focused companies that value its client experience.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Cooling Impact: Rising home sale prices across most of the country have made it more expensive for investors to buy properties, thereby reducing the profitability of rental properties and flips, further exacerbating the cooling market.
- Strategic Investment Adjustments: Redfin Premier agent Tamara Mattox-Kabat noted that investors are being more strategic in their purchases, opting for less expensive materials and timing their projects to list during the stronger spring and summer seasons.
- Shift to New Home Construction: Large institutional investors are focusing more on building new homes rather than purchasing existing ones, aligning with the housing affordability bill's aim to prevent institutional investors from buying single-family homes.
See More
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- Price and Income Dynamics: Despite a 2.4% year-over-year increase in home prices in April, the average monthly mortgage rate fell from 6.73% to 6.33%, leading to a decrease in the percentage of income spent on housing from 42% to 40%, reflecting slight improvements in affordability.
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- High-Price Market Pressure: In San Francisco, buyers needed an income of $443,979, up 7% year-over-year, making it the city with the highest affordability pressure, reflecting trends of rising demand and prices that may impact overall market affordability.
See More
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See More
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See More
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- Buyer's Market Characteristics: In Atlanta and other Sun Belt regions, nearly 19.3% of home purchase agreements were canceled, reflecting a significant imbalance with sellers outnumbering buyers, giving buyers more leverage to withdraw from deals.
- Regional Disparities: San Francisco reported a mere 2.8% cancellation rate, highlighting the booming housing market where buyers are reluctant to back out due to intense competition, further emphasizing the supply-demand differences across markets.
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See More
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- Philanthropic Efforts: Through the Gilbert Family Foundation, Gilbert donates about $50 million annually to neurofibromatosis research and raised $12 million in one night, becoming a key partner of the Children's Tumor Foundation and facilitating the development of FDA-approved treatment options.
- Commemoration and Legacy: To honor Nick, Gilbert opened Gilly's Clubhouse in Detroit and initiated The Gilly Project, led by Nick's siblings, focusing on community service and charity to ensure Nick's spirit and vision live on.
- Personal Challenges and Resilience: After facing significant personal challenges, including a stroke and divorce, Gilbert emphasizes the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of life, continuing his fight for a cure for neurofibromatosis in Nick's honor.
See More
