For the past couple of years, homebuying conditions have challenged the marketplace. From an ongoing housing shortage to high mortgage rates, buyers have not had the easiest time. However, in spring 2026 buyers were more engaged than they have been in the recent past. According to housing marketing platform Zillow, engagement from home shoppers was up 21% year-over-year in the spring.

Still, home sales aren’t seeing much activity

Engagement from home shoppers grew in the spring, with 4.8 shoppers per listing nationwide. However, actual home sales remained weak. Over the same time period, home sales grew by just 4.5%.

Which markets saw the most engagement from house hunters?

Some markets saw engagement from shoppers rise even further than the nationwide average. Buffalo, N.Y., saw the most competition, with 10.5 engaged shoppers per listing. Providence, R.I., followed with 9.5 engaged shoppers per listing, and then Hartford, Conn., with 8.5 engaged shoppers per listing.

Meanwhile, the South saw the least amount of competition

The South saw the least amount of competition from house hunters. Houston saw the least amount of competition, with just 2.2 engaged shoppers per listing, followed by Miami, with 2.9 shoppers per listing, and then Las Vegas and Austin, Texas, both with 3.4 shoppers per month.