If a move is on your radar for 2026, there is more working in your favor than there has been in quite some time.
After a period when many people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with greater balance, more options, and clearer opportunities for those planning a move. This is not because the market has suddenly become easy, but because several key conditions are beginning to shift.
Here is what experts say you can look forward to in the year ahead.
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:
“After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.”
The National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open up the housing market . . . something the real estate industry and potential home buyers and sellers have been waiting for, following three years of stagnation.”
Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:
“. . . for the first time in several years, the underlying forces are finally aligned toward gradual improvement. Mortgage rates may drift down only slowly, but income growth exceeding house price appreciation will provide a boost to house-buying power — even in a higher-rate world. Affordability won’t snap back overnight, but like a ship finally catching a steady tailwind, it’s now sailing in the right direction.”
Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow:
“Buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and more consistent demand. Each group should have a bit more breathing room in 2026.”
Why Local Insight Matters More Than Ever
While the national housing outlook is improving, market conditions will continue to vary by location. Some areas will move faster, others may see stronger price growth, and some markets could remain relatively flat. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:
“Market performance will hinge on local economic conditions, making 2026 one of the most geographically divided markets we’ve seen in years.”
This is why understanding what is happening in your specific area matters. National trends help set the direction, but local dynamics determine how those trends affect you. That is also why working with an experienced local agent is so important.
Bottom Line
If you want to review what is expected for our local market and identify the trends that could benefit you, let’s connect.
