Scott Seltz, Mortgage Advisor

2026 may feel flat, not frenzied — modest price rise ~+2.2%, not boom territory.

Persistent ~6% rates, nudging slow improvement, not radical rebound.

So if you must buy, steadier rates and rising inventory help. 

NAR sees up to +14% sales growth if rates ease modestly.

What If 2026 Housing Is A Plateau, Not a Pivot?

Experts say the U.S. housing market will warm modestly in 2026.
Inventory to rise +8.9%, still below pandemic highs.
National gains remain slow (~0.9%-2.2%), and a true “boom” needs lower rates and more supply.
Some forecasts predict steady growth into 2027–2029, keeping a big surge just out of reach.