Is the spring market finally bringing more inspections with it?
March data suggests things are starting to move again.
Existing home sales reached 327,000 in March, up +26.3% from February and +3.8% YoY, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That jump lines up with the usual spring push, when more buyers and sellers enter the market.
Inventory is also increasing. There were 1.23 million homes on the market, up +9.5% from February and +4.2% YoY, according to Zillow. It’s the 28th straight month of annual inventory growth, which means more opportunities are opening up.
At the same time, things are moving faster. Homes went pending in a median of 19 days, which is nine days quicker than February. When the market picks up, timelines tighten, and inspections need to fit in quickly.
Home prices are steady overall. The national median came in at $408,800, up +1.4% YoY. The Northeast and Midwest saw stronger gains, while the South stayed mostly flat and the West dipped slightly.
Mortgage rates are still holding in a familiar range. Fannie Mae expects around 6.2% in 2026 and 6.1% in 2027, while the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) forecasts 6.1%-6.3%. Rates have moved slightly in April but are staying within that band.
Current Forecasts
Forecasts for 2026 Home Sales (April ’26 forecast)
- NAR: +4.0% (4.22 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million) – revised April 2026
- MBA: +3.7% (4.93 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million) – April ’26 forecast
- Fannie: +1% (4.80 million total home sales vs. 4.76 million) – April ’26 forecast
- Zillow: +1.6% (4.13 million existing home sales vs. 4.06 million) – April ’26 forecast
Forecasts for 2027 Home Sales (April ’26 forecast)
- MBA: +6.1% (5.23 million total home sales vs. 4.93 million) – April ’26 forecast
- Fannie: +7.6% (5.17 million total home sales vs. 4.80 million) – April ’26 forecast
MBA Forecast for Mortgage Originations (April ’26 forecast)
- 2026 Total Mortgage Originations: +5.5% (5.76 million loans vs. 5.46 million)
- Purchase: +3.1% (3.55 million loans vs. 3.45 million)
- Refi: +9.4% (2.20 million vs. 2.01 million)
- 2027 Total Mortgage Originations: -0.4% (5.73 million loans vs. 5.76 million)
- Purchase: +5.7% (3.76 million loans vs. 3.55 million)
- Refi: -10.3% (1.98 million vs. 2.2 million)
For solo and small inspection teams, this is where things can start to feel busier. More listings and faster timelines mean more calls coming in and less flexibility on scheduling. If the spring trend holds, staying efficient in the field and getting reports out quickly will make a difference.
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