Energy Prices Are Squeezing Homeowners
Gasoline prices have surged 25% since January, and diesel has jumped 40%, pushing inflation pressure back into the system.
Higher fuel costs hit trucking, construction materials, and household budgets all at once.
That keeps borrowing costs high while everyday expenses climb.
When owners start choosing between higher bills and higher loan payments, distressed property supply begins to build.
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Gasoline Prices Spike, Now up 25% since January, Diesel Prices 40%, Heating up Inflation
The three-and-a-half-year zigzag decline in gasoline prices was a substantial contributor to the cooling of overall consumer price inflation. That has now flipped: gasoline prices will cause inflation to accelerate rather than slow it.
Supply of Single-Family Homes Surges to Highest for February in 9 Years
But the supply of single-family homes jumped to 3.8 months in February, the highest supply for February since 2017, also 3.8 months. Also, sales of condos and co-ops plunged to an annual rate of 360,000 sales, a record low in the data shared from May 2020 to May 2025.
Home Sellers are Relisting Properties at the Fastest Pace in a Decade
Nearly 45,000 homes that were delisted last year were relisted for sale in January, according to Redfin. That is the highest January figure since Redfin began tracking this metric a decade ago and represents a record 3.6% of homes that were on the market in January.
Number of ‘Accidental Landlords’ Rises to Three-Year High
2.3% of homes listed for rent on Zillow were previously listed for sale. As bargaining power tilts toward buyers and homes take longer to sell, renting out a property is one way for homeowners to buy time rather than compete aggressively on price.
Highest Refi Demand in 4 Years After Last Week’s Rate Rally
Refi applications once again led the charge, jumping 14.3% from the previous week and 109% higher vs the same week one year ago. Conventional refi apps rose 20% for the week, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase and the strongest pace since 2022.
Top 10 Best Single-Family Rental Counties in 2026
ATTOM identified 18 “Single-Family Rental Growth” counties where average wages rose over the past year and projected rental yields for 2026 exceed 10%. The largest among them are Suffolk County, NY; Onondaga County, NY; Lucas County, OH; Mobile County, AL; and Collier County, FL.
