The Quad City Area REALTORS (QCAR) recently announced that sales of single-family homes saw a modest decrease in sales activity in the first quarter of 2026.
In releasing the January-March results, QCAR said that while the Quad Cities region still has’ strong underlying demand, it is contributing to ongoing inventory challenges.
The Realtor association, based in downtown Bettendorf, said the quarterly statistics reflect all single-family residential properties listed or sold by Quad City Area REALTORS® within the greater Quad Cities market. The market area is made up of Scott, Clinton and Cedar counties in Iowa and Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties in Illinois.
QCAR recently reported these residential property statistics as compared to the same period last year:
Sold properties
- In 1Q 2026, a total of 916 single-family homes were sold (544 in Iowa, 372 in Illinois). That compares to 939 in the same period a year ago (530 in Iowa, 409 in Illinois). Sold properties decreased 2.5% as a total while sales rose 3% in the Iowa QC and declined 9% in the Illinois QC.
Contract properties
- Contract properties – those designated as pending or under contract – rose 5% in the first quarter to 1,128 vs. 1,076 for the same period in 2025. The number of contract properties was up 6% in Iowa and down 3% in Illinois in the first three months fo 2026.
Listed properties
- In 1Q 2026, total listed properties were up 9% to 1,224 across the QC region compared to 1,118 a year ago. The current quarter saw a 4.6% increase in Iowa (700 properties listed vs. 668) and a notable 14% increase in Illinois with 524 listings in 1Q 2026. It compared to 450 listings for the same period in 2025.
In its news release on Tuesday, April 28, QCAR offered some industry perspective from National Association of REALTORS Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “Contract signings rose in March nationwide despite higher mortgage rates, pointing to pent-up housing demand. A greater supply of inventory will help translate that demand into more home sales,” he said.
Mr. Yun added that first-time homebuyers, especially younger buyers, have the greatest demand sensitivity to mortgage rates. “As a result, boosting supply and new-home construction should focus on smaller, more affordable homes,” he said.
On the local front, Sharon Smith, the QC association’s CEO, said the recent results show encouraging momentum “as the first quarter of 2026 brings a noticeable increase in listed properties.”
She also noted that overall inventory remains historically low, but “signs of gradual improvement are emerging, offering more opportunities for buyers who have faced limited options in recent years.”
Ms. Smith pointed to proactive steps being taken by several area communities “to address inventory challenges through zoning adjustments and innovative development strategies aimed at expanding housing availability.”
“As the spring season approaches, real estate professionals are preparing to meet the growing needs of both buyers and sellers, supported by a rise in sales contracts year-over-year that is fueling optimism for a strong and active selling season ahead,” she said in the release. www.QCAR.Realtor.
