After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year real estate shifts back into gear. Experts predict more movement, more listings, and a stronger balance between buyers and sellers, opening the door for you to make your move, too.
More Homes Will Sell in 2026
Over the past few years, affordability challenges and higher mortgage rates caused many would-be movers to hit pause. But that’s changing. According to Freddie Mac and Realtor.com forecasts, 2026 is expected to bring a steady rise in home sales as economic conditions improve and pent-up demand returns to the market.
What’s driving the change? Two main factors:
- Lower mortgage rates
- Stabilizing home prices
Let’s take a closer look.
Mortgage Rates Could Continue To Ease
The #1 thing nearly every homebuyer has been waiting for: lower mortgage rates. After peaking near 7% earlier this year, rates have finally started to ease — and forecasts suggest that trend may continue into 2026.
According to Fannie Mae’s Economic and Housing Outlook, mortgage rates are projected to dip into the low 6% or possibly high 5% range next year.
It won’t be a straight drop — expect small ups and downs along the way as new economic data comes out. But the overall trajectory is good news for buyers.
Even a modest reduction can make a real difference: dropping from 7% to 6% can save hundreds per month on your mortgage payment. That improved affordability is what’s expected to re-energize the market in 2026.
Home Price Growth Will Be Moderate (and More Sustainable)
After years of rapid appreciation, home price growth is expected to moderate in 2026 — a healthy sign for the real estate market.
Nationally, experts like Zillow Research and CoreLogic predict that home prices will continue to rise slightly, supported by lower rates and renewed buyer interest.
But this time, the growth will be steady and sustainable, not the double-digit jumps seen during the pandemic housing boom.
Even in markets seeing small price corrections, values remain significantly higher than they were just a few years ago. For buyers, this means more predictable pricing and less competition. For sellers, it means continued equity growth and solid demand.
What This Means for You
The 2026 housing market outlook points toward opportunity on both sides:
- Buyers can benefit from easing rates, better affordability, and more listings.
- Sellers can leverage steady prices and growing buyer demand to make confident moves.
Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or relocating, 2026 could be the right time to act.
Bottom Line
After a quieter couple of years, 2026 is expected to bring more movement and opportunity. With home sales projected to rise, mortgage rates trending lower, and price growth slowing to a sustainable pace, the stage is set for a healthier, more balanced housing market.
📍 Ready to make 2026 your move year?
Let’s connect today — the Diamond Real Estate Group team can help you navigate the market with confidence and clarity.
📲 Call or text 407-797-2931
📧 Email tiphany@dregorlando.com
🌐 Visit www.dregorlando.com to start your home-selling journey.
Meet Tiphany
Orlando Real Estate Pro
Buying a home is one of the most important purchases one can make, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. I’m Tiphany Weeks, the founder and broker of record for Diamond Real Estate Group. While traveling the world as a baseball wife we moved around a lot; and it wasn’t always easy. I realized the search to find a realtor that knows exactly what you need can be a very daunting task, so I decided it was time to create a new solution for helping people find their way home.
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