Prospective home buyers always want to find the best deal. That’s true no matter what the current mortgage rate is or how high the median home price climbs. But that doesn’t mean today’s housing market isn’t particularly challenging. Mortgage rates and home prices are significantly higher than they were even just a few years ago and that has buyers laser focused on finding the best bang for their buck. According to the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, 2026 should help them get it.
Danielle Hale, the website’s chief economist, says the new year will be better for buyers, especially those willing to branch out. “We expect a more balanced housing market in 2026, leaning slightly in buyers’ favor compared with 2025, as modest improvements in affordability, driven by mortgage rate relief and slower home price growth, give incomes a bit more room to catch up,” Hale said. According to Hale, the new year’s top markets will be cities on the outskirts of larger metropolitan areas, where buyers can still find value, but price increases haven’t stalled.
[Source: PR Newswire]
