Real REMAX Group Agent Survey Reveals Market Downturn
Higher mortgage rates are cooling housing market demand across the U.S. and Canada, according to new data.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Residential
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The Real REMAX Group released its September 2026 agent survey results on October 9, 2026, indicating a decline in market optimism and transaction activity. A significant majority of real estate agents report that high mortgage rates and affordability concerns are causing buyers to delay home searches.
Why it matters
The survey highlights how elevated mortgage rates continue to create significant barriers for buyers and force shifts in seller behavior. Nearly two-thirds of agents believe that interest rates must fall below 6% to effectively stimulate renewed buyer demand.
The Agent Optimism Index dropped to 45.8, while 67% of the 177 surveyed agents identified interest rates as the primary challenge for buyers. Additionally, 35% of agents reported that sellers are now more willing to reduce their asking prices.
The players
Real REMAX Group
This is a real estate organization that maintains a network of affiliated agents across North America.
The details
Real REMAX Group conducted the survey between October 1, 2026 and October 9, 2026, gathering insights from 177 agents across the United States and Canada. The findings reveal that 55% of the market now favors buyers, with 66% of agents noting that clients are pausing or delaying their home searches.
Timeline
The survey data was collected from October 1 to October 9, 2026.
The Real REMAX Group released the survey results on October 9, 2026.
Experts have forecasted market conditions for 2027.
Culture Shift
The decline in agent optimism reflects a broader societal shift toward caution as high interest rates challenge long-standing assumptions about housing affordability. This trend marks a departure from previous periods of high transaction volume as the market adjusts to persistent economic headwinds.
Prospective buyers may find sellers more open to price negotiations as 35% of agents report increased willingness to lower asking prices. However, those planning to move should anticipate continued market volatility if mortgage rates remain elevated throughout the coming year.
The takeaway
Potential homeowners should monitor interest rate trends, as a majority of agents expect prices to soften if rates remain above 7% through 2027. If you are currently house hunting, focus on properties that have been on the market longer, as sellers are becoming increasingly flexible with pricing.
Further reading
For more market insights, see the Residential section.
Live Poll
Do you believe current mortgage rates make this a bad time to buy a home?
