Weekly sales data from subdivisions across key Western and Sunbelt markets sends a clear signal for March: demand remains present but uneven.
The following takeaways reflect the four-week rolling averages from Zonda’s Weekly Sales and Traffic report for the week beginning March 1. The data reveals sharp contrasts between markets still benefiting from structural demand and those adjusting to affordability pressure and consumer confidence issues.
How Sales Are Shifting Compared to Last Year
The year-over-year comparison shows a housing market moving in different directions depending on the metro. Many markets recorded declines in sales per subdivision, but several notable standouts continue to outperform.
- San Diego outperformed with a 27.5% increase compared to early March 2025.
- Northern Virginia and Salt Lake City also posted healthy growth at 11.8% and 18.8%, respectively.
- On the weaker end, Colorado Springs and suburban Maryland faced sharper pullbacks, each dropping around 36% year over year. Southern California followed closely behind with a 25.3% decline.
A Long-Term View: Sales Relative to 2019 Norms
Looking beyond short-term swings, the comparison to 2019 highlights how the sales landscape has structurally shifted since the pre-pandemic era.
- San Diego once again outperformed, with sales sitting 45% above levels seen during the first week of March 2019.
- Southern California sales came in 7.6% higher.
- Some markets are experiencing significantly lower activity than in 2019. Denver showed a decline at 55.8% below its early 2019 benchmark, while nearby Colorado Springs is down 47.1%. Phoenix remains 34.3% below its 2019 levels.
Looking Ahead
Despite regional variation, one theme is clear: the market remains highly rate sensitive, and the gap between high-performing and slower-performing metros continues to widen. As 2026 unfolds, tracking weekly and monthly data will be critical to understanding turning points in buyer confidence and competitive positioning.
The insights in this article were taken from Zonda’s more in-depth Weekly Sales and Traffic report.
