Spring Housing Market Activity Surges as Contract Signings Rise 4.5%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 21 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Contract Signings Surge: In April 2026, contract signings rose 4.5% year-over-year, marking the highest level in three years, indicating a significant increase in market activity as sellers priced homes competitively to attract buyers, driving market dynamics.
- New Listings Rebound: New listings increased by 1.4% year-over-year and are 22% above the 2023 trough, reflecting a recovery in seller confidence and an improving supply-demand relationship, suggesting that sales data will show improvement in the coming months.
- Market Activity Disparities: Among the top 50 metros, 34 have seen year-over-year increases in contract signings, particularly in Midwestern cities like Kansas City and Louisville, showcasing strong market momentum and reflecting the potential for regional economic recovery.
- Impact of Price Adjustments: Despite a 2.4% year-over-year decline in the national median price per square foot, sellers have reduced the need for subsequent price cuts by pricing realistically from the outset, indicating market recognition of pricing realism and encouraging buyer re-engagement.
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Analyst Views on NWS
About NWS
News Corporation is a diversified media and information services company. Its Digital Real Estate Services segment consists of the Company's interest in REA Group and Move. REA Group is a digital media business specializing in property and property-related services on its Websites and mobile apps. Move is a provider of digital real estate services in the United States and primarily operates Realtor.com, a real estate information, advertising and services platform, its referral-based services, online tools and services to do-it-yourself landlords and tenants. Its Dow Jones segment includes Dow Jones, a global provider of news and business information, which distributes its content and data through a variety of media channels. Its Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins, a consumer book publisher with operations in 15 countries. Its News Media segment consists of News Corp Australia, News UK and the New York Post and includes The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, among others.
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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