Miami Dominates, Los Angeles Fades, and Canadian Buyers Cautiously Return: Realtor.com® Tracks Global Home Shopping Trends

Rhea-AI Summary

Realtor.com (NASDAQ:NWS) reports shifting international home shopping trends for Q1 2026. Overseas buyers made 1.6% of site demand, up from 1.2% in 2020. Miami led with 10.3% of international views, while Los Angeles fell to 4.6% amid rising costs and competitiveness pressures.

Canadian buyers remained the largest group at 37.8% of international traffic, rebounding from 34.8% in 2025 but still below 41.8% in 2024 before U.S. tariffs. Canadians focused on Sun Belt and Southwest markets, especially Cape Coral and Naples, where over 70% of international demand came from Canada.

News Market Reaction – NWS

+0.91%

+0.91% Session close to close

In the May 26 session, NWS gained 0.91%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights shifting international housing interest, with Miami leading at 10.3% of...

Analysis

This announcement highlights shifting international housing interest, with Miami leading at 10.3% of global online views and Los Angeles down to 4.6%. Canadian buyers remain the largest source of international traffic at 37.8%, though still below the pre-tariff 41.8% share. Recent history shows multiple Realtor.com® data releases that produced relatively modest stock moves. Investors may watch whether continued reports of cross-border demand, particularly from Canada and Sun Belt markets, translate into sustained engagement on the platform.

Key Figures

Intl demand share: 1.6% Intl demand share: 1.2% Miami intl views: 10.3% +5 more

8 metrics

Intl demand share 1.6% International share of Realtor.com® online demand in Q1 2026

Intl demand share 1.2% International share of Realtor.com® online demand in Q1 2020

Miami intl views 10.3% Share of all international online views, Q1 2026

LA intl views 2020 7.9% Los Angeles share of international online views, Q1 2020

LA intl views 2026 4.6% Los Angeles share of international online views, Q1 2026

Canadian traffic share 37.8% Share of international Realtor.com® traffic from Canada, Q1 2026

Canadian traffic pre-tariff 41.8% Canadian share of international traffic in Q1 2024, before tariffs

Cape Coral Canadian share 71.0% Canadian share of international demand in Cape Coral, Q1 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 21 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
May 21	Housing activity report	Positive	+1.3%	Spring 2026 contract signings and listings showed broad housing market strength.
May 19	Down payment trends	Positive	+0.3%	Typical U.S. down payment fell with softer prices and rising inventory easing competition.
May 14	New home cost study	Positive	-2.0%	Study showed buyers of new homes save over ten years versus older homes.
May 13	Book lineup launch	Neutral	+0.9%	HarperCollins’ William Morrow Group promoted curated Father’s Day 2026 titles.
May 13	Rental market update	Neutral	+0.9%	Report highlighted 33rd straight month of annual rent declines in largest metros.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent Realtor.com data releases and corporate news have mostly seen modestly positive price reactions, with one notable divergence where shares fell on otherwise positive housing-cost findings.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, the company has released several Realtor.com® data reports and corporate updates. Housing-related releases on May 21 and May 19 highlighting stronger contract signings and lower typical down payments saw small positive moves (+1.28%, +0.33%). A May 14 study on long-term cost savings from new homes coincided with a -1.96% decline, while rental market data and a HarperCollins Father’s Day book lineup on May 13 each aligned with modest gains of 0.89%. This new international-demand report fits the pattern of frequent data-driven housing insights.

Key Terms

tariffs, ip geolocation

2 terms

tariffs regulatory

"Canadian buyers – still reeling from the effects of U.S. tariffs – showed signs..."

Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on goods imported from other countries. They increase the cost of those goods, which can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact international trade. For investors, tariffs matter because they can influence the profitability of companies, affect supply chains, and shift economic stability across different regions.

ip geolocation technical

"International traffic is identified using IP geolocation and excludes domestic U.S.-based traffic."

IP geolocation is the method of estimating the physical location of an internet-connected device by using its IP address, like turning a digital street address into a neighborhood on a map. For investors it matters because it helps companies target customers by region, prevent fraud, enforce local rules, and measure where users actually come from—factors that can affect revenue, risk and regulatory compliance.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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International Demand Shifts as Sun Belt Markets Surge, and Canadian Interest Partially Rebounds a Year after U.S. Tariffs Rattled Cross-Border Home Searching

AUSTIN, Texas, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Realtor.com^® reveals a shifting landscape for international home shopping demand across the United States. In the first quarter of 2026, international home shoppers accounted for 1.6% of online shopping demand on Realtor.com^®, up from 1.2% in the first quarter of 2020. Miami held its place as the top U.S. destination for international buyers, drawing 10.3% of all international online views. Meanwhile, Los Angeles continued a six-year slide in global interest, while Canadian buyers – still reeling from the effects of U.S. tariffs – showed signs of cautious re-engagement with the U.S. market.

International Buyers Are Turning Away from Los Angeles

Los Angeles has long been one of the most coveted addresses for international homebuyers, but its grip on global attention is slipping. International interest in the market has fallen steadily, with its share of international online views dropping from 7.9% in the first quarter of 2020 to 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026.

The beneficiaries are clear. Dallas, Texas has emerged as a rising destination, drawing growing interest from buyers in North America (excluding the U.S.), Oceania, and South America. North American interest in Dallas grew from 1.6% in 2020 to 2.7% in 2026; Oceania from 3.0% to 4.2%; and South America from 1.5% to 2.3%.

Miami captured gains from European buyers, with interest rising from 6.9% to 8.0%, while Asian buyers increasingly turned to New York, where their interest climbed from 6.2% to 6.6%.

"Los Angeles's declining global appeal is less about losing its allure and more about becoming less competitive," said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com^®. "Skyrocketing insurance costs from wildfires, and California's high tax burden, have made ownership increasingly punishing for wealthy international buyers. As high-net-worth residents relocate to Miami and Dallas, the social networks that once made Los Angeles a must-own address are thinning — and global interest follows. Sun Belt markets now offer a compelling combination of affordability, growth, and lower taxes that Los Angeles simply can't match. For today's internationally mobile buyer, Los Angeles is no longer the default choice."

Top U.S. Destinations for International Home Shoppers (2026Q1)

Market	Share of International Online Views
Miami, FL	10.3 %
New York, NY	4.7 %
Los Angeles, CA	4.6 %
Orlando, FL	3.0 %
Tampa, FL	2.8 %

Canadian Interest in U.S. Homes Is Recovering — But 2025 Tariffs are Not Forgotten

One year after the United States imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, the effects on cross-border housing demand remain measurable. Canadian home shoppers remain the No. 1 source of international demand on Realtor.com^®, accounting for 37.8% of international traffic in the first quarter of 2026. But that figure tells a story of disruption and incomplete recovery: Canadian interest plunged from 41.8% in the first quarter of 2024 — before tariffs took effect — to 34.8% in the first quarter of 2025 in the immediate aftermath. The partial rebound to 37.8% this year signals cautious re-engagement, but interest remains well below pre-tariff levels.

Rounding out the top five sources of international homebuying interest: Mexico (6.4%), the United Kingdom (5.9%), Germany (3.9%), and Australia (3.0%).

Canadian buyers showed the strongest affinity for Sun Belt and Southwest markets. Cape Coral, Fla., led all markets with 71.0% of its international demand coming from Canada, followed by Naples, Fla. (70.9%), Phoenix (66.9%), North Port, Fla. (66.2%), Tampa (58.8%), and Riverside, Calif. (56.0%). These same markets also recorded the largest year-over-year gains in Canadian interest between 2025 and 2026, led by Cape Coral, Fla. (+9.2 percentage points), Naples, Fla. (+8.8 ppt), and Phoenix (+6.7 ppt).

"Canadian buyers are re-entering the U.S. market, but cautiously," said Jiayi Xu, economist at Realtor.com^®. "The rebound in interest we're seeing in Sun Belt and Southwest metros reflects that the appeal of warm weather and relative affordability hasn't faded — but the full recovery of pre-tariff enthusiasm has yet to materialize. These trends underscore how geopolitical and economic policy decisions can have lasting ripple effects on real estate demand, even across borders."

Markets with Highest Share of Canadian International Demand (2026Q1)

Market	Canadian Share of Int'l Demand	YoY Change (2025Q1–2026Q1)
Cape Coral, FL	71.0 %	+9.2 ppt
Naples, FL	70.9 %	+8.8 ppt
Phoenix, AZ	66.9 %	+6.7 ppt
North Port, FL	66.2 %	+6.6 ppt
Tampa, FL	58.8 %	+4.6 ppt
Riverside, CA	56.0 %	+1.6 ppt

Methodology

This report analyzes international views of for-sale listings on the U.S. Realtor.com® marketplace from January to March 2026 and previous quarters, as noted. International traffic is identified using IP geolocation and excludes domestic U.S.-based traffic. This report is updated twice a year.

About Realtor.com^®

Realtor.com^® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance, and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.

Media Contact: Mallory Micetich, press@realtor.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miami-dominates-los-angeles-fades-and-canadian-buyers-cautiously-return-realtorcom-tracks-global-home-shopping-trends-302781357.html

SOURCE Realtor.com

FAQ

What did Realtor.com (NWS) reveal about international home shopping demand in Q1 2026?

Realtor.com reported that international buyers made up 1.6% of U.S. home shopping demand in Q1 2026. According to Realtor.com, this share increased from 1.2% in Q1 2020, indicating gradually higher global interest in U.S. for-sale listings on its platform.

Why is Miami leading U.S. markets for international home shoppers according to Realtor.com (NWS)?

Miami ranked as the top U.S. destination, capturing 10.3% of international online views in Q1 2026. According to Realtor.com, Miami also gained share from European buyers, where interest rose from 6.9% to 8.0%, highlighting its strong appeal among overseas purchasers.

How has international interest in Los Angeles changed in Realtor.com (NWS) data?

International interest in Los Angeles declined, with its share of online views dropping from 7.9% in Q1 2020 to 4.6% in Q1 2026. According to Realtor.com, factors include rising wildfire-related insurance costs, higher taxes, and growing competition from Sun Belt markets.

What does Realtor.com (NWS) report about Canadian buyers’ demand for U.S. homes after 2025 tariffs?

Canadian buyers accounted for 37.8% of international traffic in Q1 2026, up from 34.8% in 2025 but below 41.8% in 2024. According to Realtor.com, this partial rebound suggests cautious re-engagement following U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Which U.S. markets attract the highest share of Canadian demand in Realtor.com (NWS) research?

Cape Coral and Naples topped the list, with 71.0% and 70.9% of international demand from Canada in Q1 2026. According to Realtor.com, Phoenix, North Port, Tampa, and Riverside also showed high Canadian shares and notable year-over-year gains in interest.

How are Sun Belt and Southwest markets performing with international buyers on Realtor.com (NWS)?

Sun Belt and Southwest metros are drawing growing international and Canadian interest, including Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Tampa, and others. According to Realtor.com, these markets combine relative affordability, growth, and lower taxes, making them attractive alternatives to traditional coastal gateways.