The Real Estate Roundtable’s (RER) First Quarter 2026 Sentiment Index registered 66 overall, down one point from Q4 2025, as respondents described a market in the early stages of a tentative, uneven recovery. Tariffs and interest-rate uncertainty continue to widen buyer-seller spreads and slow price discovery.
The Current Index rose two points to 66, while the Future Index decreased two points to 67, reflecting cautious optimism for improved conditions in 2026 despite ongoing volatility, according to RER. Fewer than 10% of respondents said general market conditions have worsened over the past year, while 78% pointed to increasing debt availability. Sentiment around equity availability was less positive, with 42% of respondents citing improved equity conditions.
“This quarter’s survey shows the market is stabilizing, with improving debt availability and growing optimism about the year ahead—even as uncertainty continues to keep transaction volume below potential,” said Jeffrey DeBoer, RER president and CEO. “The industry is positioned for a more constructive 2026, but sustained momentum will depend on a stable policy environment. That stability supports investment decisions that drive jobs, housing, and economic activity in communities nationwide.”
