Buying a home hasn't gotten any simpler over the past few years. Higher housing costs and broader economic uncertainty continue to influence how people shop, leading many buyers to spend more time comparing communities and weighing their options before making a move.
Even so, NewHomeSource search data suggests buyers haven't stepped away from the market. Instead, they're becoming more selective about what they're looking for. During the second quarter of 2026, shoppers remained focused on affordability, practical floor plans, and communities that support their lifestyle.
Price continues to play a major role in where buyers focus their search. During the second quarter, the median price of homes viewed on NewHomeSource was $506,000. At the same time, homes priced between $300,000 and $500,000 attracted the largest share of shopper interest, highlighting the continued demand for more attainable price points.
That said, this doesn't mean buyers are willing to compromise on the home itself. “Three- and four-bedroom homes continued to dominate searches, suggesting many shoppers are still looking for enough space to accommodate growing families, home offices, or changing household needs,” said Ali Wolf, chief economist for NewHomeSource.
Some Markets Continue to Stand Out
While national housing conditions remain challenging, buyer interest continues to vary by market.
Several Western metros, including Riverside/San Bernardino, Sacramento, and Los Angeles/Orange County, ranked among the strongest markets for shopper interest during the second quarter. These markets have remained near the top of the rankings for much of the year, suggesting demand has held up relatively well despite the broader slowdown.
For buyers, it's a reminder that real estate remains highly local. National headlines may paint one picture, but market conditions can look very different depending on where you're searching.
Buyers Are Still Taking the Next Step
Although overall shopping activity remained below year-ago levels, many buyers who are actively searching continue to move beyond browsing.
Houston, Phoenix, and Tampa recorded some of the strongest tour request rates during the second quarter, meaning a larger share of shoppers viewing homes on NewHomeSource took the next step by requesting a tour of a home or community.
The trend suggests that while some households remain on the sidelines, buyers who are actively searching are continuing to move forward when they find homes that fit their needs.
Homebuyers are searching for the right house, but they're also paying attention to the surrounding community and amenities. Pools remained the most popular amenity on NewHomeSource during the second quarter, accounting for more than half of all amenity-related searches. Interest in pool communities has grown steadily over the past two years, while searches for gated and golf-oriented communities have declined.
