Expert Forecasts Say: 2026 Is the Year Affordability Finally Improves
Wondering what to expect from the housing market this year? You’re not alone! Over the last few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge holding back both buyers and sellers. But good news is finally on the horizon — 2026 is bringing a clear path toward better affordability and more balanced opportunities.
According to housing experts and data sources like Realtor.com, Fannie Mae, and the National Association of Realtors, this year’s market outlook is brightening thanks to three key factors:
💰 Lower mortgage rates
🏡 Continued improvement in housing supply
📈 More manageable home price growth
1. Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here 💸
Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen by nearly a full percentage point, bringing buyers much-needed relief. Forecasts from both Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association project that rates will hover in the low 6% range throughout 2026 (source).
Wondering what to expect from the housing market this year? You’re not alone! Over the last few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge holding back both buyers and sellers. But good news is finally on the horizon — 2026 is bringing a clear path toward better affordability and more balanced opportunities.
According to housing experts and data sources like Realtor.com, Fannie Mae, and the National Association of Realtors, this year’s market outlook is brightening thanks to three key factors:
💰 Lower mortgage rates
🏡 Continued improvement in housing supply
📈 More manageable home price growth
1. Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here 💸
Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen by nearly a full percentage point, bringing buyers much-needed relief. Forecasts from both Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association project that rates will hover in the low 6% range throughout 2026 (source).
That means:
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For buyers: More options and negotiating power. 🙌
-
For sellers: Pricing your home correctly is key to standing out in a busier market. 📊
More listings have already slowed price growth to a healthier, sustainable rate, and that’s great news for creating long‑term market balance.
3. Home Prices Will Rise Slowly — and Sustainably 📈
Rapid price surges are a thing of the past. Experts from Realtor.com and NAR forecast that home prices will grow by about 1.6% nationwide in 2026 — steady enough to preserve home equity while preventing affordability from slipping further.
This shift toward normalcy is a win‑win:
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For buyers: Predictable, steady price growth makes budgeting easier and reduces fear of missing out.
-
For sellers: A stable market keeps your home equity strong while creating a more balanced environment for success.
As Realtor.com explains, “The shift signals a more balanced market—one where price growth steadies, rate relief offers breathing room, and negotiating power tilts slightly toward buyers.”
4. What It All Adds Up To: A Healthier Market for Everyone ⚖️
With rates down, inventory up, and prices stabilizing, experts expect 2026 to bring more overall home sales. As Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow, notes:
“Buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and consistent demand. Each group should have a bit more breathing room in 2026.”
This means more people will finally be able to make their move — whether that’s buying their first home, upsizing, or downsizing into something new.
Bottom Line 💬
Affordability is improving step by step, and momentum is building for a more balanced, predictable, and encouraging year in real estate. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to move, 2026 might just be it.
Ready to talk about what this means for your local market?
Call Krista Klause, your trusted realtor serving San Antonio, Bandera, Helotes, and surrounding areas, for expert insight and personalized guidance into 2026’s changing opportunities. 🏡📲
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