Angela Martin

Slide 1
Buyers: 2026 quietly shifts power as incomes finally outrun home prices.

Slide 2
Affordability improved 7 straight months; longest streak since 2019.

Slide 3
Hidden driver: 2.8% income growth beats price growth, boosting buying power even with high rates.

Slide 4
That math alone adds ~3% affordability by late 2026, last seen summer 2022.

Slide 5
Mortgage rates aren’t crashing—~6.2% early 2026, maybe sub-6% by year-end.

Is 3% Home Buying Power the 2026 Turning Point?

The Federal Reserve cut rates by a quarter point, the third cut since September 2024, likely the last before year-end.

Economists say the Fed is balancing risks, prioritizing rising unemployment concerns while judging inflation sufficiently controlled for now nationwide today.

Despite expectations, average consumers will see minimal changes in credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans following the rate cut announcement.

Small businesses should benefit most, as lower short-term borrowing costs may stimulate investment, economic activity, and employment growth nationwide overall.