“The year started with hopes for housing momentum growth, but risks with respect to the Iran war, energy costs and declines for consumer confidence have slowed the market,” said Bill Owens, chairman of NAHB.
“Purchase activity remained subdued as potential homebuyers remained hesitant given the current economic uncertainty,” said Joel Kan, a vice president and deputy chief economist at the MBA.
Agency MBS issuance declined on a quarterly basis in the first quarter of 2026 while non-agency MBS issuance hit the highest level since the financial meltdown of 2007.