After a few years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of renewed activity. Real estate experts forecast that more people will be ready to move, creating new opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, this could be the year to make your move.
More Homes Expected To Sell in 2026
Over the past few years, affordability challenges—rising mortgage rates and high home prices—kept many would-be movers on pause. But that pause won’t last forever. Life events, job changes, and family needs continue to drive demand, and experts predict an increase in home sales in 2026 as indicated by graph below.
Two key factors are behind this expected shift:
- Mortgage rates are easing
- Home price growth is stabilizing
Let’s take a closer look at both trends.
Mortgage Rates May Gradually Decline
For buyers, the top priority has been clear: lower mortgage rates. After peaking near 7% earlier this year, rates have started to ease—and forecasts suggest this gradual decline could continue throughout 2026.
While the path down won’t be perfectly smooth, experts expect rates to move toward the low 6% range and possibly the high 5s. Think of it like this: when rates rise, they take the escalator; when they fall, they take the stairs. The process will be slower and a bit bumpy, but the overall trend points lower.
Even a modest dip in rates can make a real difference in monthly mortgage payments. Compared to when rates were at 7%, today’s slightly lower rates could already save buyers hundreds of dollars each month, improving overall affordability and buying power.
Home Price Growth Will Be Steady and Sustainable
What about home prices in 2026? National forecasts project that prices will continue to rise, but at a more moderate and sustainable pace. Lower mortgage rates are likely to bring more buyers back into the market, keeping some upward pressure on prices without the dramatic spikes of previous years.
While some markets may experience small price declines, a housing market crash is not expected. In fact, even in areas seeing slight dips, home values remain significantly higher than they were just a few years ago.
Price trends will vary by location, depending largely on local inventory levels. But overall, experts expect modest home price appreciation nationally, which gives buyers more predictability and helps with budgeting.
Bottom Line: 2026 Could Be Your Year To Make a Move
After a slower couple of years, 2026 is forecast to bring more movement and opportunity in the housing market. With home sales projected to increase, mortgage rates trending down, and home price growth leveling out, the stage is set for a healthier, more active real estate environment.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the 2026 housing market.
Let’s connect to talk about your goals and create a strategy to make your move next year.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Megan Ringhoff is a licensed loan officer at Jet Direct Mortgage who prides herself in helping people change their lives for the better, helping them build wealth, and putting people and their families into a home with a backyard to call their own. Megan strives to find ways for her clients to get the best possible deal to fit their situation and will do anything to make their dreams come to reality. NMLS#2040719