Real REMAX Agent Optimism Has Declined
Real estate professionals report rising inventory and affordability hurdles in the latest August agent survey.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Residential
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The Real REMAX Group released its August 2026 Agent Survey, showing a drop in optimism and transaction growth among professionals in the United States and Canada. Agents reported that homes are taking longer to sell as buyer affordability remains a significant barrier.
Why it matters
The shift in sentiment reflects how sustained high mortgage rates and persistent price expectations from sellers are cooling market activity. These conditions have increasingly favored buyers while limiting transaction volumes.
The August Transaction Growth Index fell to 44.6, down from 52.5 in July. Additionally, 53% of agents noted higher housing inventory compared to a year ago, while 58% identified buyer affordability as the primary challenge in the current market.
The players
Real REMAX Group
This is a major real estate organization that maintains its corporate headquarters in Miami and tracks professional sentiment across North America.
The details
The survey, which collected responses from 455 agents between September 1 and September 11, found that 75% of respondents are seeing longer sale times than a year ago. Nearly half of the agents characterize their local markets as currently favoring buyers.
Timeline
August 2025 served as the baseline for transaction activity comparisons.
July 2026 provided the prior month metrics for the optimism and growth indices.
August 2026 is the primary period covered by the Real REMAX Agent Survey.
September 1, 2026 to September 11, 2026 was the window for survey data collection.
Culture Shift
The drop in agent optimism tracks closely with the Real REMAX Group Agent Optimism Index as it moves away from mid-summer peaks. This reflects a broader societal shift where the housing market is pivoting from seller-dominance toward buyer-favorable conditions.
Homebuyers may find more leverage in negotiations as 46% of agents indicate that markets are now favoring their side. For those looking to sell, the data suggests that adjusting price expectations is increasingly necessary to avoid longer timeframes on the market.
The takeaway
Prospective buyers should monitor local inventory levels to capitalize on the increasing market favorability. Sellers are encouraged to review recent local trends to better align their pricing with the current, slower-paced sales environment.
Further reading
Learn more about shifting homeownership trends by visiting the Residential section.
More information
View full details on the market survey findings on the Real REMAX Group investor relations website.
Live Poll
Is home affordability getting better or worse for your household in your current area?
