Market Trends - The Most Comprehensive Update on the 2026 U.S. Housing Market and NAR Settlement

In this April 13th, 2026 episode of Market Trends, hosts Steve Kaempf and Matt Lombardi discuss the latest U.S. housing market data. Key topics include a 3.6% drop in existing home sales, record-high home prices of $800,000, and tight inventory. Lawrence Yun revised his 2026 sales growth forecast from 14% to 4%. The episode also covers a March inflation surge driven by energy prices, a $52.25 million NAR settlement on buyer agent commissions, homeownership trends by occupation, the proposed Fast Housing Act, and Zillow's expanding pre-MLS marketing platform.Episode Introduction (0:00) March 2026 U.S. Housing Market Snapshot (0:39) Drivers of Market Trends (1:56) Home Prices and Equity Gains (2:52) NAR Forecast Revisions (3:42) Property Type Breakdown (4:39) Affordability and Mortgage Rates (5:31) Key Market Takeaways (6:16) Market Resilience and Professional Conduct (6:52) Inflation and Consumer Prices (7:46) Whiplash Economy and Outlook (9:19) NAR Settlement Agreement Overview (10:47) Settlement Details and Impact (11:28) NAR Strategic Plan and Legal Position (14:33) Homeownership by Occupation (15:53) Geographic and Occupational Shifts (17:22) Middle-Income Squeeze and Affordability (18:26) Homeownership Priorities and Realities (19:04) Congressional Housing Initiatives (20:37) Key Reforms and Buckshot Strategy (22:00) Vacant Lots and Local Initiatives (24:20) Zillow Preview and Industry Adoption (24:45)www.peoplenottitles.com