The Surging Real Estate Market Continues to Climb

Dan May • September 16, 2020

The Surging Real Estate Market Continues to Climb

A man is running up a set of stairs.

Earlier this year, realtor.com announced the release of the Housing Recovery Index, a weekly guide showing how the pandemic has impacted the residential real estate market. The index leverages a weighted average of four key components of the housing industry by tracking each of the following:


  1. Housing Demand – Growth in online search activity
  2. Home Price – Growth in asking prices
  3. Housing Supply – Growth of new listings
  4. Pace of Sales – Difference in time-on-market


The index compares the current status “to the January 2020 market trend, as a baseline for pre-COVID market growth. The overall index is set to 100 in this baseline period. The higher a market’s index value, the higher its recovery and vice versa.”

The graph below charts the index by showing how the real estate market started out strong in early 2020, and then dropped dramatically at the beginning of March when the pandemic paused the economy. It also shows the strength of the recovery since the beginning of May.


A graph showing the housing market recovery index

Today, the index stands at its highest point all year, including the time prior to the economic shutdown.


The Momentum Is Still Building


Though there is some evidence that the overall economic recovery may be slowing, the housing market is still gaining momentum. Zillow tracks the number of homes that are put into contract on a weekly basis. Their latest report confirms that buyer demand is continuing to dramatically outpace this same time last year,

A graph showing the percent change in newly penned deals.

Clearly, the housing market is not only outperforming the grim forecasts from earlier this year, but it is also eclipsing the actual success of last year.

Frank Martell, President and CEO of CoreLogic, explains it best:


“On an aggregated level, the housing economy remains rock solid despite the shock and awe of the pandemic.”

Bottom Line

Whether you’re considering buying or selling, staying on top of the real estate market over the coming months will be essential to your success.


By Dan May February 12, 2026
Westside Sellers: Why Early Planning Matters More Than Early Listing For homeowners considering a sale this year, February is less about listing immediately—and more about strategic positioning . Sellers who start planning early often benefit from a clear pricing and marketing road map—learn more about our Seller services on the Westside . On the Westside of Los Angeles, homes that perform best in spring are rarely last-minute decisions. They’re the result of thoughtful planning that begins weeks—or even months—earlier.
By Dan May January 22, 2026
What Beverlywood Home Sales Show Over Time Each January, I step back and look at what actually happened in our local real estate market — not forecasts or headlines, but real, closed sales. Over more than a decade of reviewing this data, one pattern has stood out: the number of homes sold each year remains relatively consistent, while prices steadily rise. This January snapshot looks first at Beverlywood as a whole, then drills down into three key sub-markets where I have long-standing experience and market share: Beverlywood HOA, Castle Heights, and Reynier Village. All data referenced in the final version of this report are based on single-family home sales reported in the Combined LA/Westside MLS, using consistent boundaries year over year.
By KCM Crew January 12, 2026
Would-be homebuyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy. They’re sitting out because they think they can’t.
By KCM Crew January 8, 2026
Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one.
By KCM Crew January 7, 2026
If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options.
By KCM Crew January 5, 2026
Finding the right home feels exciting – but being pre-approved for your loan is what makes it possible.
By KCM Crew January 1, 2026
Momentum is quietly building in the housing market.
West Lost Angeles sunset and fog
By Dan May December 31, 2025
A year-end look at Westside Los Angeles real estate trends, pricing insights, and planning tips for homeowners and buyers heading into the new year.
By KCM Crew December 31, 2025
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind.
More Posts