--- title: "Q3 Market Insights Recap: Opportunity in a Changing Real Estate Market" description: Endure Athletics supports youth experiencing homelessness through mentorship, daily structure, and access to meaningful opportunities. image: https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hubfs/Page-001-Oct-23-2026-03-52-35-7983-PM.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/blog/q3-market-insights-opportunity-in-a-changing-real-estate-market#main-content) ![UnitedRE\_color-4](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/UnitedRE_color-4.png?width=200&height=61&name=UnitedRE_color-4.png "UnitedRE_color-4") ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Page-001-Oct-23-2026-03-52-35-7983-PM.jpg?width=2500&height=1308&name=Page-001-Oct-23-2026-03-52-35-7983-PM.jpg) # Q3 Market Insights Recap: Opportunity in a Changing Real Estate Market ![United Real Estate](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) United Real Estate October 28, 2026 Q3 Market Insights Recap: Opportunity in a Changing Real Estate Market 9:44 The central message of Q3 Market Insights is that today’s housing market is challenging but still contains more than enough opportunity for focused, disciplined Agents to achieve their business and personal goals. The session combined market realities, company momentum, mindset development and practical actions to help Agents finish 2026 strongly and build a clear plan for 2027. **1. The market is constrained, not closed** Existing-home sales remain at a below historical low annualized pace, hovering between 3.9 million and 4.3 million units over the last ten quarters. The September ’26 rate rose 1.5% from August to 3.99 million units, but affordability and financing costs continue to restrict transaction volume. ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-3.png?width=730&height=411&name=undefined-3.png) At the same time, this Quarter’s presentation reframes the market as approximately 8 million annual transaction-side opportunities to earn. The point is important: Agents do not need the entire market to recover. They need to capture a relatively small, intentional share of the business already occurring within each of their markets or area’s of specialization (first time buyers, Condos, empty nestors, new forming families and so on. **2. Sellers must adjust to a more price-sensitive market** Active listing inventory has risen to approximately 1.6 million homes, about 5% higher than the prior-year level, but it remains 33% below pre-pandemic norms. Pending sales are shown as having dropped by 7.4%from August to September due to a spike in interest rates while 42% of active listings have reportedly experienced a price reduction. ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-12-59-6551-PM.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-12-59-6551-PM.png) The practical lesson for Agents is clear: winning the listing is not enough. Agents must provide informed pricing guidance, monitor buyer response, communicate frequently with sellers, and make timely adjustments when a property is not generating enough buyer interest and offer activity. **3. Affordability and mortgage-rate lock-in are reshaping consumer behavior** Affordability is identified as the market’s primary constraint. The Q3 Market Insights presentation cites mortgage rates near 7.2%, housing finance costs rising approximately three-quarters of a percentage point during the year,( mostly in the month of September and median home prices increasing approximately 1.5% in 2026 (the slowest rate in past 5 years) and 54% since 2020. Many current homeowners remain reluctant to move because they hold mortgages well below prevailing market rates: - 20% have rates below 3%. - 50% have rates below 4%. - 68% have rates below 5%. - 78% have rates below 6%. - Sales units increased 3%, from 46,851 in 2025 to 48,115 in 2026. - Sales volume increased 8%, from $21.09 billion to $22.67 billion. - Agent earnings increased 7%, from $450 million to $480 million. - From January through August 2026, an average of 427 Agents per month joined the family of companies. ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-0734-PM.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-0734-PM.png) Average homeowner tenure is presented as increasing from 6.5 years to 13.4 years. The teaching point is that Agents must create a more compelling financial and lifestyle case for moving, rather than expecting consumers to transact simply because they have owned a home for several years **4. Life events continue to create durable demand** Even in a rate-constrained environment, housing demand is supported by the presentation’s six “Ds”: Diamonds, Diapers, Diplomas, Divorce, Death, and Debt. These events create needs that are often stronger than interest-rate concerns. The Agent opportunity is to deepen relationships and remain visible within the sphere of influence. When an important life transition occurs, consumers are most likely to contact the professional who has consistently provided value and maintained the relationship. **5. Homeownership remains a powerful wealth-building mechanism** 40% of American homes have no mortgages and these homeowners may well be a great source of sellers and buyers during the scale down period of their lives and can be an excellent resource for their children’s downpayment moneys to help them get on the road to homeownership and net worth development and illustrates a substantial net-worth gap between homeowners and renters. The intended lesson is you have a larger purpose than completing transactions: you help families pursue financial security and long-term wealth through homeownership. ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-12-59-2490-PM.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-12-59-2490-PM.png) This purpose gives Agents a stronger foundation for prospecting and client conversations. The work is not merely about selling homes. It is about helping people improve the financial trajectory of their lives. **6. The company is gaining momentum despite difficult conditions** The family of companies is presented as outperforming the broader environment: ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-4.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-4.png) Our organization is not simply enduring the market. It is growing, attracting Agents, increasing production and helping you earn more. Rick reiterated the companies Mission: “To improve our Brokers and Agents financial trajectory” **7. Mindset determines whether Agents see noise or opportunity** We challenge sensational market narratives and reminds Agents that the industry has survived 18% interest rates, the 2007–2008 financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and the dot-com cycle and many more significant events. Its central mindset statement is that every real estate market, including this one, contains enough transactions for a committed Agent to reach meaningful income and lifestyle goals. The teaching is not to ignore difficult facts, but to separate the **signal** of genuine market conditions from the **noise** that creates fear, paralysis, and inaction. One of the important moments in the Q3 meeting came when we learned about the power of commitment to not “let our heads hit the pillow” each day until we have me the day’s business development activities goals. Rick shared the story about being connected to a powerful “why” and raising over $2,000,000. for the cause affecting his son’s disability. Starting with a simple goal and being committed to the effort can produce great results for our Agents in any and all markets. **8. Success begins with a personal reason to perform** Agents are asked to reconnect with two questions: 1. What dream or goal motivated you to become a real estate professional? 2. What meaningful things would greater income allow you to do? The presentation connects production goals to personal outcomes such as investment property, savings, debt reduction, tuition, family experiences, and greater freedom. This reminds Agents that the business plan is not just a collection of numbers but rather a roadway to personally meaningful commitments and outcomes. **9. Sustainable performance requires four foundational principles** The presentation introduces four principles through a progressive visual sequence: - **Wisdom:** See the market accurately and distinguish facts from noise, while learning the techniques and strategies for delivering client success in buying and selling - **Courage:** Take action despite uncertainty and difficult conditions. - **Temperance:** Practice discipline, restraint, and consistency. Especially having the discipline to make and keep business development commitments daily to oneself and shielding mindset from the negative “noise” that derails productive activity. - **Justice:** Operate with honesty, fairness, and responsibility toward clients, real estate Agent colleagues and the community at large. - Build a personalized 2027 business plan using the **8 Arrows of Success on The Learning Academy or within each Agents office business planning session.** - Define sales goals, income goals, lead sources, daily activities, and a personal definition of financial freedom. - Use available company resources, including LeadBoost, Zillow Runway and Showcase, URESI, the Business Planning program, Marketing Hub, SOFIE (coming soon), and BullseyeAI Assistant. - Price listings correctly and address price reductions needed promptly. - Know your required business development activity numbers to hit production and income goals. - Deepen relationships within your sphere of influence make contact and provide expertise before they need to hire you. Do the tasks daily, magic happens over time. - Face to face time with our spheres of influence is very productive time in the world of algorithmic interruptions to making real relationships. - Communicate with office leadership and help attract productive and high-potential Agents. ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-4631-PM.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-4631-PM.png) Together, these principles provide the behavioral framework for navigating a market that rewards accurate advice, consistent activity, and professional trust. **10. The presentation ends with a practical call to action** Agents are encouraged to: ![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-9495-PM.png?width=768&height=432&name=undefined-Oct-28-2026-03-13-00-9495-PM.png) **Bottom-Line Leadership Message** The market is demanding, but opportunity has not disappeared, in fact it is now amplified as fewer Agents in the business and the amount of gross commission dollars (GCI) per Agent have increased dramatically. Agents who maintain an accurate mindset, reconnect their work to a meaningful personal purpose, price listings correctly, deepen relationships, use the company’s tools and execute a measurable business plan will grow their income and build a better life in this market.   ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Finfo.unitedrealestate.com%2Fblog%2Fq3-market-insights-opportunity-in-a-changing-real-estate-market](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Finfo.unitedrealestate.com%2Fblog%2Fq3-market-insights-opportunity-in-a-changing-real-estate-market) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GoodNews-34.jpg?width=2500&height=1292&name=GoodNews-34.jpg) Between the Deals: Back to the ’80s at Premiere Plus Realty](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/blog/between-the-deals-goes-back-to-the-80s-at-premiere-plus-realty) ### [![](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/United%20Spotlight-36.jpg?width=2500&height=1292&name=United%20Spotlight-36.jpg) How Consistency Helped Sydney Green Recruit 35 Agents in One Month](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/blog/how-consistency-helped-sydney-green-recruit-35-agents-in-one-month) ### Family of Companies ![white logos group\_URE](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_URE.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_URE.png) ![white logos group\_CRR](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_CRR.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_CRR.png) ![white logos group\_VPR](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_VPR.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_VPR.png) ![white logos group\_Leading Edge](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_Leading%20Edge.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_Leading%20Edge.png) ![white logos group\_Benchmark](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_Benchmark.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_Benchmark.png) ![white logos group\_TUR](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_TUR.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_TUR.png) ![Pearson Smith Logo white](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pearson%20Smith%20Logo%20white.png?width=243&height=156&name=Pearson%20Smith%20Logo%20white.png) ![white logos group\_Gallery](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_Gallery.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_Gallery.png) ![white logos group\_Platnum](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_Platnum.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_Platnum.png) ![white logos group\_PPR](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_PPR.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_PPR.png) ![white logos group\_MORE](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logos%20group_MORE.png?width=243&height=156&name=white%20logos%20group_MORE.png) ![Allison James\_white w crest](https://info.unitedrealestate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Allison%20James_white%20w%20crest.png?width=14928&height=2847&name=Allison%20James_white%20w%20crest.png) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2025 United Real Estate. 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