Housing Market Pulse
Housing Trends Through a Community Association Lens
Housing conditions affect more than home prices and sales. They also influence association budgets, assessments, reserves, insurance, lending, development, and the financial decisions facing homeowners.
Housing Market Pulse examines timely housing and economic indicators and considers what changing market conditions may mean for community association homeowners, boards, managers, and industry professionals.
Latest Analysis
September 2026: More Choices for Buyers Put Association Finances in Sharper Focus
The number of homes available for sale continued to grow in August, even as existing-home sales declined. More choices may give buyers additional time to evaluate not only a home’s purchase price, but also an association’s assessments, reserves, insurance, special assessments, and overall financial condition.
%
Change in existing-home sales from July
Million homes available for sale
Supply of existing homes at the current sales pace (in months)
Source: National Association of REALTORS®, August 2026 Existing-Home Sales.
Why the Community Association Lens Matters
Community associations account for 35.2% of all U.S. housing, but most national housing indicators do not separately identify every condominium, homeowners association, and housing cooperative.
The Foundation adds context by connecting broader housing trends with the financial, operational, and governance issues facing community associations. That may include assessments, reserve funding, insurance availability, lending requirements, aging infrastructure, buyer expectations, and changing resident demographics.
Housing Market Pulse does not simply repeat the latest numbers. It considers what they could mean inside America’s community associations—and what may deserve closer research.
What We Follow
Housing Affordability
How mortgage rates, home prices, assessments, insurance, and other expenses affect the total cost of homeownership.
Condo and Cooperative Markets
Changes in sales, prices, inventory, and buyer demand for attached community association housing.
Lending and Project Eligibility
Developments that may affect condominium financing, transaction timelines, appraisals, and buyer access to credit.
Insurance and Ownership Costs
Market conditions affecting association insurance, homeowner coverage, operating budgets, and affordability.
Community Association Finances
The relationship between housing conditions and assessments, reserves, special assessments, collections, and long-term planning.
Buyers and Residents
Changes in buyer demographics, first-time homeownership, aging, household composition, and expectations for community living.
Explore Related Foundation Research
Assessment Trends Dashboard
See how average condominium and homeowners association assessments have changed over time.
Community Association Fact Book
Explore national and state estimates of associations, housing units, residents, assessment income, and volunteer leadership.
Reserve Studies and Funding
Learn how associations plan for major repairs, fund replacements, and communicate long-term financial needs.
Homeowner Satisfaction Survey
Explore what residents say about their community association experience, governance, rules, value, and connections.
About the Series
Housing Market Pulse is a periodic analysis from the Foundation for Community Association Research. Each edition draws on timely information from respected housing, economic, government, and industry sources and interprets it through a community association lens.
Unless otherwise noted, the underlying data may not be limited to homes in community associations. Community association implications represent the Foundation’s interpretation of broader housing trends. Each edition identifies and links to its original sources.