Spring 2026 arrived with a jolt of urgency for homebuyers. According to the REMAX March 2026 National Housing Report, the market came alive in March in a big way. In several cities, homes were gone almost as fast as they hit the MLS. If you have been waiting for the “right time” to buy, the data from last month might change your thinking.
The Spring Surge Was Real
Across the 50 metro areas surveyed, March home sales jumped 31.6% from February, the strongest monthly increase since March 2023. New listings climbed alongside that demand, but inventory remained historically tight in many markets. The national median sales price landed at $440,000. Buyers paid an average of 99% of the asking price.
In the most competitive markets, that number was even higher. “March’s increase in sales is a signal that buyers and sellers are re-engaging as the spring market gets underway,” said REMAX President and Chief Growth Officer Chris Lim. The message from the data was clear: the window for deliberating closed quickly in the fastest-moving markets.
Manchester, NH: One of the Fastest Market in the Country
No metro area moved faster in March than Manchester, New Hampshire. Homes in Manchester spent an average of just 20 days on the market, and the months’ supply of inventory sat at just 0.9, the lowest of any metro area in the report. Buyers in Manchester were not browsing. They were competing. The close-to-list price ratio in Manchester came in at 100.8%. This meant homes routinely sold above asking price.
Sales were also up 19% compared to March 2025. That’s even as the median sales price dipped slightly year over year to $478,750. That combination of falling prices and fast-moving inventory made Manchester one of the more interesting opportunities of the spring, but only for buyers who were ready to move.
Hartford, CT: Lightning-Fast and Over Asking
Hartford was the other standout. Homes in Hartford sold in an average of just 24 days in March. The close-to-list price ratio was 102.7%, the second-highest in the entire report behind San Francisco. That meant the typical home in Hartford sold for more than it was listed for.
Hartford’s months’ supply of inventory tied with Albuquerque at 1.0. Active inventory was actually down 8.7% from the year before. With fewer homes available and buyers paying above list price to win deals, Hartford was not a market where hesitation paid off in March.
Albuquerque, NM: Tight Supply, Fast Decisions
Albuquerque rounded out the trio of ultra-competitive markets. The city reported 46 days on market in March, a months’ supply of just 1.0, and a median sales price of $350,000.
For buyers priced out of coastal markets or looking for relative affordability with strong demand fundamentals, Albuquerque checked a lot of boxes. The catch was that inventory was not waiting around. With supply at just one month, any serious buyer needed to be pre-approved and prepared.
Other Markets Worth Watching
Manchester, Hartford, and Albuquerque grabbed the headlines for tight supply, but several other metros also posted standout numbers in March. Richmond, Virginia came in with 29 days on market and a close-to-list ratio of 100.8%, matching Manchester’s above-asking performance. Chicago logged an average of just 29 days on market as well, with a close-to-list ratio of 100% and months’ supply of only 1.2.
Both cities showed that the competitive conditions were not limited to New England. Anchorage, Alaska posted the second-fastest days-on-market figure at 35 days, while Baltimore, Cleveland, and San Diego all came in under 40 days. Across the country, buyers who waited to schedule a second showing or slept on writing an offer were often too late.
What the Data Tells Buyers Who Are Still “Thinking About It”
The March numbers carried a consistent message: the buyers who won in the fastest markets were the ones who showed up ready. Nationally, homes averaged 49 days on the market in March, down seven days from February. But in markets like Manchester and Hartford, the timeline was less than half of that. Waiting for prices to drop in these markets was a tough bet.
The national close-to-list price ratio held at 99% in March, up from 98% in February, meaning sellers were holding firm. In the tightest markets, they were getting more than they asked for. For buyers who have been watching from the sidelines, spring 2026 offered both opportunity and a clear warning. Inventory remained historically low in the most competitive cities, and the buyers who hesitated often watched their target homes go under contract within days, sometimes over asking.
Work With an Agent Who Knows the Market
In a market where 20-day sales cycles are the norm, having an experienced agent in your corner is not optional, it is essential. A knowledgeable REMAX agent can help you understand local inventory conditions, craft a competitive offer, and move quickly when the right home comes along.
Whether you are targeting a fast-moving market like Manchester or a growing one like Albuquerque, the best time to start the conversation is before the listing goes live. Find a REMAX agent near you and get ready before the next wave of spring listings hits the market.
