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(NASDAQ: RDFN) — The median U.S. home-sale price rose just 3.5% year over year during the four weeks ending February 23, the smallest increase since September. That’s according to a new from Redfin (), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Mortgage rates have declined to their lowest level in more than two months, dipping from 7.13% to 6.78% in the last two weeks alone and upping buyers’ purchasing power by . Mortgage rates are coming down due to signals that the U.S. economy is slowing, and heightened recession fears.

In addition to a bit of cost relief, another factor is working in buyers’ favor. House hunters have a bit to negotiate on sale price and terms as supply piles up in some parts of the country. There are 4.6 months of supply on the market, up from 4 months at this time last year, and the typical home is selling for roughly 2% less than its asking price.

There are signs that slowing price growth, declining rates and more favorable conditions are bringing some house hunters back to the market. Redfin’s Homebuyer Demand Index—a seasonally adjusted measure of tours and other buying services from Redfin agents—has jumped to its highest level since the start of the year, and Google searches of “homes for sale” nationwide have hit their highest level since September.

But home sales have yet to improve. Pending home sales are down 6.2% from a year earlier, in line with decreases Redfin has seen since the start of the year. Even though mortgage rates have declined a bit, the typical monthly housing payment is just $32 shy of its all-time high. Sales could pick up in the coming weeks if the increase in home tours turns into more offers and/or mortgage rates continue coming down slightly.

Redfin agents in some parts of the U.S. are advising prospective buyers to jump in while they can because with today’s economic and political uncertainty, mortgage rates could rise above 7% again soon. And the pileup of supply could soon be depleted: New listings of homes for sale are up just 2.4% year over year this week, the smallest gain in a month.

“My advice to buyers: If you’re thinking of purchasing a home in the next six months, don’t wait until the flowers start blooming,” said , a Redfin agent in Sacramento, CA. “The market will heat up as we get closer to spring. Now is the time to potentially negotiate down the price of a home, save money on closing costs or get the sellers to cover issues uncovered in the inspection. There are bidding wars for relatively affordable homes, under $400,000 or so, and for upscale, fully renovated homes in popular neighborhoods. But for everything in between, buyers are looking online and touring, but not jumping on them. The buyers who are jumping are getting deals.”

For Redfin economists’ takes on the housing market, please visit Redfin’s “” page.

Leading indicators

Key housing-market data

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About Redfin

Redfin () is a technology-powered real estate company. We help people find a place to live with brokerage, rentals, lending, and title insurance services. We run the country's #1 real estate brokerage site. Our customers can save thousands in fees while working with a top agent. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Our rentals business empowers millions nationwide to find apartments and houses for rent. Since launching in 2006, we've saved customers more than $1.6 billion in commissions. We serve approximately 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 4,000 people.

Redfin’s subsidiaries and affiliated brands include: Bay Equity Home Loans®, Rent.™, Apartment Guide®, Title Forward® and WalkScore®.

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit . To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the . To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, email . To view Redfin's press center, .

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