Homes Returning to Market: Why Relisted Listings Are Rising in 2026

The number of relisted homes in the United States reached the highest January level in nearly a decade, according to a new housing market report from real estate brokerage Redfin.

Data from the report shows that nearly 45,000 homes that were removed from the market in 2025 returned as new listings in January 2026. This represents the largest January total since records began in 2016.

Relisted homes accounted for about 3.6% of all properties listed for sale during the month, marking a record share for January.

The increase highlights how many homeowners who paused their selling plans last year are now trying again as the spring homebuying season approaches.

Why Many Homes Were Delisted in 2025

Last year’s housing market conditions played a major role in the rise of relisted homes.

Throughout 2025, many homeowners removed their properties from the market because buyer demand slowed while housing costs remained high. Rising mortgage rates, affordability concerns, and broader economic uncertainty caused many potential buyers to delay purchases.

With fewer buyers actively searching for homes, sellers faced longer listing periods and increased competition from other properties on the market.

In many areas, this created a buyer-favored market, where buyers had more negotiating power and were able to request price reductions or concessions.

Some buyers even purchased homes that had been sitting on the market for weeks or months at prices significantly lower than the original asking price.

Some Sellers Preferred Waiting Instead of Cutting Prices

While some sellers reduced their prices to attract buyers, others chose a different approach: they delisted their homes and waited for better market conditions.

This strategy was especially common among homeowners who were not in a rush to move.

In many cases, sellers needed to reach a certain price in order to cover the cost of purchasing their home during the peak of the pandemic housing boom. During that period, home values increased rapidly across the country, leading some homeowners to buy properties at higher prices.

Rather than accept lower offers, these sellers decided to wait and relist later when market conditions might improve.

As a result, the number of delisted homes reached a record 112,788 in December, the highest monthly figure on record.

Many Sellers Are Now Returning to the Market

Now, many of those homeowners are bringing their properties back to the market.

Real estate agents say that the beginning of the year is often when sellers start preparing for the spring homebuying season, which traditionally sees increased activity.

Some sellers who delayed listing their homes in 2025 are now hoping that improved conditions and slightly lower mortgage rates will attract more buyers.

In some cases, homeowners are relisting their current property while simultaneously preparing to purchase a new home.

This type of strategy allows sellers to secure their next home before finalizing the sale of their existing one.

Mortgage Rates May Help Boost Buyer Activity

Mortgage rates may also play a role in encouraging sellers to relist.

Recent data shows that average mortgage rates fell to around 5.98%, the lowest level in more than three years. Lower interest rates increase purchasing power for buyers by reducing monthly loan payments.

Even small decreases in mortgage rates can make a meaningful difference for buyers who are trying to qualify for a loan.

Housing analysts expect affordability conditions to improve gradually during 2026, particularly if income growth continues to rise faster than home prices.

If that trend continues, it could lead to more buyers entering the market during the spring and summer months.

Sellers May Need to Be Flexible on Price

Although sellers may feel more confident relisting their homes this year, market conditions still favor buyers in many regions.

Housing inventory has increased in several areas, which means buyers have more options to choose from.

If the number of relisted homes continues to grow, it could further expand the supply of homes available for sale.

When supply increases faster than demand, sellers often need to adjust pricing expectations to attract buyers.

Some sellers who previously removed their listings may now be more willing to negotiate.

For buyers, this could mean additional opportunities to request price reductions or concessions during negotiations.

Many Relisted Homes Now Have Lower Prices

The Redfin report shows that 36.1% of homes relisted in January were listed at a lower price than their original listing price.

This is the highest January share since the company began tracking the data in 2016.

The trend suggests that many sellers who previously pulled their listings are now returning to the market with more realistic pricing strategies.

Housing experts say buyers often review listing histories and price changes before making offers. If a home has been listed multiple times without selling, buyers may expect the seller to be flexible on price.

Because of this, relisting a home at a higher price than its previous listing may discourage potential buyers.

Cities With the Most Relisted Homes

Relisted homes were most common in several large metropolitan areas on the West Coast.

The San Jose, California housing market recorded the highest share among the 50 largest U.S. metro areas. In January, 257 homes that were previously delisted returned to the market, representing about 12.5% of all listings in the city.

Other metro areas with high levels of relisted homes include:

• San Francisco, California – 11.4%
• Oakland, California – 10.2%
• Seattle, Washington – 8.3%
• Denver, Colorado – 7.4%

These markets tend to have higher home prices and greater volatility in housing demand, which can lead to more frequent listing adjustments.

Cities With the Fewest Relisted Homes

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some housing markets recorded very low levels of relisted homes.

The lowest share among major metro areas was reported in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where 1.7% of homes on the market were relisted properties.

Other cities with low relisting rates include:

• Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 2.2%
• Montgomery County, Pennsylvania – 2.2%
• Virginia Beach, Virginia – 2.3%
• Kansas City, Missouri – 2.3%

Many of these areas are considered relatively affordable compared with other U.S. housing markets.

Affordable Markets Often Remain Seller Friendly

Some of the markets with fewer relisted homes continue to favor sellers.

For example, housing analysts say Milwaukee has remained one of the more stable housing markets in the country. Strong buyer demand combined with moderate housing supply has helped keep prices steady.

When sellers hold more negotiating power, they are less likely to remove their listings from the market or relist properties later.

However, even in these markets, pricing strategy still matters.

Real estate professionals say sellers should carefully evaluate local conditions, price homes realistically, and ensure properties are in good condition before listing.

What the Rise in Relisted Homes Means for the Market

The increase in relisted homes highlights how the housing market is still adjusting after the rapid price growth seen during the pandemic years.

Many sellers are testing the market again after waiting through slower conditions in 2025.

For buyers, the rise in relisted homes could mean more housing choices and greater room for negotiation.

As the spring housing season approaches, both buyers and sellers will be watching mortgage rates, affordability trends, and housing supply levels to see how the market develops throughout 2026. For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit 👉 Nadlan Capital Group.