Real Estate Balancing Act 7/17/26

Summary

CNBC's Jessica Ettinger reports on a housing market survey indicating a more balanced market, though real estate agents have become much less optimistic about future sales. Mortgage rates remain elevated above 6.5%.

• 44% of real estate agents in CNBC's survey see a balanced market, up from 30% last year.
• Agents report sellers are more realistic on pricing, which can speed up sales.
• Only 19% of respondents expect sales to improve, down sharply from 65% at the end of last year.
• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was still above 6.5% as of early July.