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Redfin reports new listings and pending home sales are improving. But the homes that do go under contract are taking a long time to do so.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2026-- New listings of U.S. homes for sale rose about 1% from a year earlier during the four weeks ending January 25, the first increase in more than two months. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket.

There are a few key reasons new listings are starting to improve:

• Homebuying demand is improving, too. U.S. pending home sales fell 1.6% year over year, the smallest decline in nearly two months, and mortgage-purchase applications are sitting near their highest level in three years. Some house hunters are coming out of the woodwork because housing costs are declining—the median monthly housing payment is down 6.6% from a year ago—and sellers are taking notice of the uptick in demand.
• Lower mortgage rates. The weekly average mortgage rate is 6.09%, up slightly from last week but still near the lowest level in three years. In addition to attracting some house hunters, lower rates are easing the mortgage rate lock-in effect and motivating some homeowners to sell.

While slightly more sellers and buyers are coming off the sidelines, homes are still taking a long time to sell. The typical home that sold in January took 63 days to go under contract—a week longer than last year and the longest span in six years. House hunters are able to take their time because it’s a buyer’s market, with hundreds of thousands more home sellers than buyers.

“Buyers are more serious than they were a few months ago; they’re looking at every listing and meticulously comparing the pros and cons of each one,” said Connie Durnal, a Redfin Premier agent in Dallas. “Buyers are able to take their time and be picky because there are a lot of listings; bidding wars are few and far between. Sellers who need to move know they need to be realistic; some are willing to negotiate prices down and make concessions like repairs, especially because they’re competing with builders of new construction.”

For Redfin economists’ takes on the housing market, please visit Redfin’s “From Our Economists” page.

Leading indicators

Key housing-market data

To view the full report, including charts, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-new-listings-increase-january

About Redfin

Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin’s clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.

You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at https://www.redfin.com/news. For more information about Rocket Companies, visit https://www.rocketcompanies.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260129023877/en/

Contact Redfin Journalist Services:
Tana Kelley
press@redfin.com

Source: Redfin