Spring Home Buying Season Could Be Busy 2/18/26

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Money Minute (CNBC)
Episode Title: Spring Home Buying Season Could Be Busy 2/18/26
Host: Jessica Ettinger
Guest: Varun Krishna (CEO of Rocke, Parent Company of Redfin)
Date: February 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
This 60-second episode explores the shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market in U.S. real estate, highlighting recent trends in home sales, price discounts, and regional market dynamics as the spring buying season approaches.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Shift: Seller’s to Buyer’s Market

• Jessica Ettinger opens the episode by noting a significant shift:
  • “Real estate pros say they feel a turn in the market is happening from a seller's market to a buyer's market. And the spring home buying season could be very busy.” [00:00]
• This marks a notable transition after years where sellers held most of the power.

2. Expert Forecasts and Regional Trends

• Varun Krishna (CEO of Rocke/Redfin) provides data-driven context:
  • “There’s a lot of green shoots on the horizon. If you look at the forecast looking out to 2026, existing home sales are expected to increase by up to 10%. We’re starting to see markets like Florida and Texas starting to shift toward buyers.” [00:15]
• Indicates optimism in the real estate sector and early signs of increased buyer leverage, particularly in Florida and Texas.

3. Price Trends and Negotiation Power

• Jessica Ettinger shares new Redfin data:
  • “Nearly two thirds of sellers last year sold their home for less than their original listing price.” [00:31]
• Varun Krishna underscores the magnitude of discounts:
  • “Consumers are getting the highest discounts on existing home prices than they've seen in the last 13 years.” [00:46]
• Jessica Ettinger details the average buyer savings:
  • “Redfin says the typical home buyer got a 7.9% discount off of list prices. Last year.... The typical buyer saved about $30,000.” [00:53]
• The show connects price drops to two main forces:
  1. Sellers lowering prices due to lack of buyer interest
  2. Price reductions following home inspections uncovering issues

4. Practical Implications for Buyers and Sellers

• By highlighting discounts and emerging trends, the episode suggests spring is shaping up as a favorable period for prospective buyers, especially those willing to negotiate or look at markets trending toward buyer-friendliness.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jessica Ettinger:

  • “Real estate pros say they feel a turn in the market is happening from a seller's market to a buyer's market. And the spring home buying season could be very busy.” [00:00]
  • “Nearly two thirds of sellers last year sold their home for less than their original listing price.” [00:31]
  • “Redfin says the typical home buyer got a 7.9% discount off of list prices. Last year. ... Now the typical buyer saved about $30,000.” [00:53]

• Varun Krishna:

  • “There's a lot of green shoots on the horizon. If you look at the forecast looking out to 2026, existing home sales are expected to increase by up to 10%. We’re starting to see markets like Florida and Texas starting to shift toward buyers.” [00:15]
  • “Consumers are getting the highest discounts on existing home prices than they've seen in the last 13 years.” [00:46]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Market turning from sellers to buyers; busy spring buying season expected (Jessica Ettinger)
• 00:15 – Forecast for home sales increase and regional trends in Florida and Texas (Varun Krishna)
• 00:31 – Majority of homes selling below list price, according to Redfin data (Jessica Ettinger)
• 00:46 – Record discounts for buyers in the past 13 years mentioned (Varun Krishna)
• 00:53 – Typical 7.9% price discount and $30,000 savings for buyers; reasons for price drops (Jessica Ettinger)

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Conclusion

Takeaway:
The episode quickly but thoroughly covers the emerging shift in the U.S. housing market as 2026 approaches, with increased negotiation leverage for buyers, larger-than-usual discounts, and notable regional developments. For those considering entering or reentering the market this spring, the data suggests strong opportunities for buyer savings and a much more competitive environment for sellers.

More details and resources on home buying/selling topics can be found at CNBC.com.

Transcript

[Jessica Ettinger]

With a CNBC YOU Money minute, I'm Jessica Ettinger. Real estate pros say they feel a turn in the market is happening from a seller's market to a buyer's market. And the spring home buying season could be very busy.

[Varun Krishna]

There's a lot of green shoots on the horizon. If you look at the forecast looking out to 2026, existing home sales are expected to increase by up to 10%. We're starting to see markets like Florida and Texas starting to shift toward buyers.

[Jessica Ettinger]

That's Rocke CEO Varun Krishna on cnbc. It's the parent company of Redfin, which is out with some amazing data on home prices. Nearly two thirds of sellers last year sold their home for less than their original listing price.

[Varun Krishna]

A report from Redfin. Consumers are getting the highest discounts on existing home prices than they've seen in the last 13 years.

[Jessica Ettinger]

Redfin says the typical home buyer got a 7.9% discount off of list prices. Last year. It analyzed MLS data comparing a home's original list price with the final sale price. Now the typical buyer saved about $30,000. Sometimes home sellers lower their prices when they realize nobody's biting and the market ain't what it used to be. Other times, a home price comes down when problems are found during the inspection. There's a lot more on buying and selling a home. @cnbc.com I'm Jessica Ettinger, CNBC.

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