Pending Home Sales Just Sank to a Record Low
NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index fell 7.3% in September to 66.0, the lowest reading in its history, and every region pulled back.
12%Of buyers waiving inspections
Just 12% of buyers are skipping inspections in 2026.
Due diligence is back in style. Buyers are playing it smart, not fast.
What it means
- Buyers: keeping the inspection contingency protects your earnest money if the inspection turns up a major issue.
- Sellers: expect inspection requests. A pre-listing inspection can surface problems before a buyer's inspector does, and on your timeline.
- Agents: build inspection time into contract timelines and line up trusted inspectors before you write offers. With sellers paying concessions on most deals, inspection findings often turn into credits.
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