Is 2026 Finally the Year the Housing Market Calms Down? Realtor.com Says… Yes.
Dallas Mortgage Girl graphic with teal background and white text about the 2026 housing market, featuring a minimalist house with a hot pink roof and a gold tree
After years of whiplash — record-low rates, bidding wars, sky-high prices, tightening inventory — the latest Realtor.com housing forecast for 2026 delivers something I think we could all use:
A sigh of relief.
For the first time in a long while, the market is showing signs of stability. Not a boom. Not a crash. Just… balance. And honestly? Balance is the healthiest thing this industry could ask for.
Let’s break down what’s coming and what it means for buyers, sellers, and my Realtor friends gearing up for a new year.
⭐ 1. Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Ease (Slightly… but importantly)
Realtor.com projects the average 30-year fixed rate to settle around 6.3% in 2026.
No, it’s not 2020-level magical.
But it is a meaningful shift that can lower monthly payments and open the door for more buyers who have been priced out.
Combine that with gradually rising incomes and steady job growth, and affordability starts to look a little brighter.
⭐ 2. More Homes Are Expected to Hit the Market
One of the biggest drivers of the past few years’ chaos has been painfully low inventory.
Homeowners clung to their 2%–3% mortgage rates like a family heirloom (and I get it!). But Realtor.com expects many of these owners to finally list in 2026 as life changes, job moves, and family needs outweigh the desire to keep the old rate.
More listings =
✔ Healthier competition
✔ More choices for buyers
✔ More predictable pricing
✔ Less of the frantic “write an offer in five minutes or lose it” energy
We love to see it.
⭐ 3. Affordability Finally Starts Moving in the Right Direction
For years, affordability has been the biggest roadblock for buyers. The good news? With modestly lower rates and more inventory, monthly mortgage payments are projected to fall back below 30% of the average household income — an important benchmark for long-term financial comfort.
That doesn’t mean homes will suddenly be “cheap.”
It just means the numbers will make more sense for more people.
⭐ 4. A Reality Check: No, This Isn’t a Price-Collapse Scenario
Let’s keep it real.
Realtor.com expects home prices to rise about 2.2% nationally in 2026.
That’s normal appreciation — not a spike, not a crash.
Anyone waiting for prices to tumble may end up disappointed.
Instead, we’re looking at a steady, sustainable market where buyers aren’t competing with 30 offers… but they’re also not snagging discounts on every corner.
And that’s actually a good thing for long-term housing stability.
⭐ 5. A Call to My Realtor Partners: Your Skills Matter Again
I’ve been saying it for months — when the market shifts from chaos to clarity, great agents start to shine.
2026 hands you the perfect environment to:
Educate buyers who feel overwhelmed
Strategize instead of scramble
Showcase negotiation skills that got buried in the frenzy
Rebuild relationships with clients who pressed pause
Partner with lenders (hi 👋) to create airtight, accurate pre-approvals
This is the kind of market that rewards professionalism, relationships, and expertise — not luck.
⭐ 6. Buyers: Now Is the Time to Prepare
The buyers who win in 2026 will be the ones who start planning now.
That means:
Cleaning up credit
Establishing stable savings
Understanding realistic price points
Exploring loan options early
Getting pre-approved before the next rate dip triggers a wave of competition
A slightly calmer market doesn’t remove urgency — it just shifts it to preparation instead of panic.
⭐ So… What’s the Bottom Line?
2026 won’t be flashy.
It won’t be dramatic.
It won’t be the “wild west” we’ve just lived through.
And that’s the best news of all.
A balanced market is healthier for buyers, for sellers, for agents — and for the long-term stability of the entire housing ecosystem. If you're thinking about buying or you're a Realtor planning your business strategy for the new year, now is the time to start those conversations.
I’m here to help you review numbers, understand your options, and plan your strategy with clarity and confidence — just reach out anytime.
