The Relationship Between U.S. Homeownership Rates and Legislation
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 30 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Legislation Drives Homeownership: U.S. homeownership rates have risen from 44% in 1940 to over 65% in 2026, with key legislation such as the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 playing crucial roles, demonstrating the direct impact of legislative action on homeownership.
- Historical Legislative Impact: The National Housing Act of 1934 created the FHA, reducing mortgage down payment requirements and reviving the housing market, although it also institutionalized redlining, affecting housing opportunities for minority communities.
- Current Housing Supply Gap: The U.S. housing supply gap reached 4.03 million homes in 2025, up from 3.8 million in 2024, with pent-up demand from younger households indicating a pressing need for policy intervention to meet housing needs.
- Future Legislative Outlook: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act aims to encourage local zoning reforms through federal funding conditions, gaining broad support in Congress, and could become a new legislative example that enables more Americans to achieve their homeownership dreams.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy NWS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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.
Home Price Growth Slows, Easing Buyer Burden
- Slowing Price Growth: Home price growth is now expected to slow to just 1.2% in 2026, falling behind inflation, which means that home prices are effectively declining in real terms, easing the financial burden on buyers and improving market affordability.
- Sales Forecast Downgrade: Realtor.com® has revised its 2026 existing-home sales forecast down to 4.10 million, although this still represents a 1.0% increase over 2025, reflecting a cooling market and the renewed negotiating power of buyers and sellers.
- Declining Rents: Rental prices are projected to fall by 1.2% in 2026, primarily due to an increase in multifamily construction, which further alleviates economic pressure on renters and enhances overall market affordability.
- Enhanced Buyer Negotiation Power: As sellers adjust their expectations and lower asking prices, buyers gain more negotiating power in transactions, which not only promotes an increase in sales volume but also lays a foundation for market stability.
See More
2026 Housing Market Outlook: Slower Growth Amid Economic Resilience
- Slower Price Growth: Home prices are projected to rise by only 1.2% in 2026, falling short of inflation, which effectively reduces the real cost burden for buyers and enhances market affordability.
- Sales Forecast Adjustment: Existing home sales are revised down to 4.10 million, reflecting a 1.0% increase from 2025, indicating market resilience amid high mortgage rates and geopolitical uncertainties, showcasing the staying power of buyers and sellers.
- Declining Rental Prices: Rental prices are expected to decrease by 1.2% in 2026, driven by increased multifamily construction, which alleviates economic pressure on renters and enhances market attractiveness.
- Rising Homeownership Rate: With the homeownership rate reaching 65.3% in Q1, the full-year outlook is revised upward, indicating that despite affordability challenges, more young households are opting for homeownership, signaling a gradual market recovery.
See More
Foreclosure Market Recovers with 27.2% Discounts
- Foreclosure Discount Analysis: According to a Realtor.com report, the median sale price of foreclosed homes is 27.2% below estimated values, indicating a gradual market recovery that is attracting more buyer interest.
- Foreclosure Listing Trends: In April 2026, foreclosures accounted for 1.3% of all homes for sale, nearing the 1.7% level seen in April 2020, showcasing a rebound in the foreclosure market.
- Increased Market Attention: Foreclosures received 26.5% more page views than typical listings in the first half of 2026, despite sitting on the market an average of 11 days longer, reflecting heightened buyer interest in discounted properties.
- Economist Insights: Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, noted that the rise in foreclosures is due to the winding down of pandemic-era forbearance and moratorium programs, suggesting that the market is returning to 2019 norms rather than entering a crisis state.
See More
National Holding Company Acquires Moving.com and MoveAI
- Strategic Acquisition: National Holding Company's acquisition of Moving.com and AI-powered MoveAI marks a significant investment in the moving industry, aiming to enhance customer experience through technology and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Technology Integration: MoveAI leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the moving process, allowing users to share move details for personalized recommendations and quotes, which will enhance efficiency and overall consumer satisfaction in selecting moving services.
- Market Leadership: This acquisition positions National Holding Company as a leader in the rapidly evolving moving industry, where increasing consumer reliance on digital platforms and AI tools will lay the groundwork for future growth through strategic investments.
- Long-term Commitment: National Holding Company plans to make strategic investments in the Moving.com platform, reflecting its long-term commitment to enhancing consumer experience and delivering greater value for moving partners, further solidifying its position in the industry.
See More
National Holding Company Acquires Moving.com and MoveAI to Enhance Moving Experience
- Strategic Acquisition: National Holding Company has acquired Moving.com, a leading online moving marketplace, and MoveAI, an AI-powered moving concierge, aiming to simplify the moving process through technology, thereby enhancing customer experience and strengthening market competitiveness.
- Technology Integration: With MoveAI's artificial intelligence, users can share moving details to receive tailored recommendations and quotes, which not only improves service efficiency but also provides consumers with more convenient options, reflecting the company's commitment to digital transformation.
- Market Positioning: This acquisition positions National Holding Company at the forefront of the rapidly evolving moving industry, where increasing consumer reliance on digital platforms and AI tools will drive the company's long-term growth through strategic investments.
- Customer Relationship Maintenance: Existing customer agreements, lead routing processes, and service relationships of Moving.com will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity for clients and laying a foundation for future business expansion, further enhancing the company's market credibility.
See More
Home Prices Drop 2.5% Year-Over-Year; Pending Sales Rise for Seventh Consecutive Month
- Price Decline: Realtor.com reports that the national median list price fell to $430,000 in June 2026, a 2.5% year-over-year decrease, marking the steepest decline since 2017, indicating significant market adjustments that may influence seller pricing strategies.
- Pending Sales Growth: Pending home sales rose 3.7% year-over-year in June, extending a seven-month growth streak, suggesting a recovery in market demand as buyers respond positively to price adjustments, potentially leading to further market stabilization.
- Inventory Levels: Active listings reached 1,102,615 in June, up 1.9% from last year, although still 11.3% below pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing supply-demand tension that could affect future price trends.
- Market Time Normalization: The median home spent 53 days on the market in June, unchanged from the previous year, ending a 26-month streak of longer selling times, suggesting a gradual return to pre-pandemic norms that may attract more buyers into the market.
See More
Home Price Growth Slows, Easing Buyer Burden
- Slowing Price Growth: Home price growth is now expected to slow to just 1.2% in 2026, falling behind inflation, which means that home prices are effectively declining in real terms, easing the financial burden on buyers and improving market affordability.
- Sales Forecast Downgrade: Realtor.com® has revised its 2026 existing-home sales forecast down to 4.10 million, although this still represents a 1.0% increase over 2025, reflecting a cooling market and the renewed negotiating power of buyers and sellers.
- Declining Rents: Rental prices are projected to fall by 1.2% in 2026, primarily due to an increase in multifamily construction, which further alleviates economic pressure on renters and enhances overall market affordability.
- Enhanced Buyer Negotiation Power: As sellers adjust their expectations and lower asking prices, buyers gain more negotiating power in transactions, which not only promotes an increase in sales volume but also lays a foundation for market stability.
See More
2026 Housing Market Outlook: Slower Growth Amid Economic Resilience
- Slower Price Growth: Home prices are projected to rise by only 1.2% in 2026, falling short of inflation, which effectively reduces the real cost burden for buyers and enhances market affordability.
- Sales Forecast Adjustment: Existing home sales are revised down to 4.10 million, reflecting a 1.0% increase from 2025, indicating market resilience amid high mortgage rates and geopolitical uncertainties, showcasing the staying power of buyers and sellers.
- Declining Rental Prices: Rental prices are expected to decrease by 1.2% in 2026, driven by increased multifamily construction, which alleviates economic pressure on renters and enhances market attractiveness.
- Rising Homeownership Rate: With the homeownership rate reaching 65.3% in Q1, the full-year outlook is revised upward, indicating that despite affordability challenges, more young households are opting for homeownership, signaling a gradual market recovery.
See More
Foreclosure Market Recovers with 27.2% Discounts
- Foreclosure Discount Analysis: According to a Realtor.com report, the median sale price of foreclosed homes is 27.2% below estimated values, indicating a gradual market recovery that is attracting more buyer interest.
- Foreclosure Listing Trends: In April 2026, foreclosures accounted for 1.3% of all homes for sale, nearing the 1.7% level seen in April 2020, showcasing a rebound in the foreclosure market.
- Increased Market Attention: Foreclosures received 26.5% more page views than typical listings in the first half of 2026, despite sitting on the market an average of 11 days longer, reflecting heightened buyer interest in discounted properties.
- Economist Insights: Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, noted that the rise in foreclosures is due to the winding down of pandemic-era forbearance and moratorium programs, suggesting that the market is returning to 2019 norms rather than entering a crisis state.
See More
National Holding Company Acquires Moving.com and MoveAI
- Strategic Acquisition: National Holding Company's acquisition of Moving.com and AI-powered MoveAI marks a significant investment in the moving industry, aiming to enhance customer experience through technology and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Technology Integration: MoveAI leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the moving process, allowing users to share move details for personalized recommendations and quotes, which will enhance efficiency and overall consumer satisfaction in selecting moving services.
- Market Leadership: This acquisition positions National Holding Company as a leader in the rapidly evolving moving industry, where increasing consumer reliance on digital platforms and AI tools will lay the groundwork for future growth through strategic investments.
- Long-term Commitment: National Holding Company plans to make strategic investments in the Moving.com platform, reflecting its long-term commitment to enhancing consumer experience and delivering greater value for moving partners, further solidifying its position in the industry.
See More
National Holding Company Acquires Moving.com and MoveAI to Enhance Moving Experience
- Strategic Acquisition: National Holding Company has acquired Moving.com, a leading online moving marketplace, and MoveAI, an AI-powered moving concierge, aiming to simplify the moving process through technology, thereby enhancing customer experience and strengthening market competitiveness.
- Technology Integration: With MoveAI's artificial intelligence, users can share moving details to receive tailored recommendations and quotes, which not only improves service efficiency but also provides consumers with more convenient options, reflecting the company's commitment to digital transformation.
- Market Positioning: This acquisition positions National Holding Company at the forefront of the rapidly evolving moving industry, where increasing consumer reliance on digital platforms and AI tools will drive the company's long-term growth through strategic investments.
- Customer Relationship Maintenance: Existing customer agreements, lead routing processes, and service relationships of Moving.com will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity for clients and laying a foundation for future business expansion, further enhancing the company's market credibility.
See More
Home Prices Drop 2.5% Year-Over-Year; Pending Sales Rise for Seventh Consecutive Month
- Price Decline: Realtor.com reports that the national median list price fell to $430,000 in June 2026, a 2.5% year-over-year decrease, marking the steepest decline since 2017, indicating significant market adjustments that may influence seller pricing strategies.
- Pending Sales Growth: Pending home sales rose 3.7% year-over-year in June, extending a seven-month growth streak, suggesting a recovery in market demand as buyers respond positively to price adjustments, potentially leading to further market stabilization.
- Inventory Levels: Active listings reached 1,102,615 in June, up 1.9% from last year, although still 11.3% below pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing supply-demand tension that could affect future price trends.
- Market Time Normalization: The median home spent 53 days on the market in June, unchanged from the previous year, ending a 26-month streak of longer selling times, suggesting a gradual return to pre-pandemic norms that may attract more buyers into the market.
See More
