NAR Predicts 2026 Housing Market Rebound as Sales and Prices Rise
Source: https://www.realtor.com/
The National Association of Realtors® expects the U.S. housing market to rebound in 2026, with a projected 14% rise in existing-home sales and a 4% increase in home prices. Economist Lawrence Yun attributes the improvement to solid job growth, ongoing housing shortages, and a modest drop in mortgage rates—expected to average around 6%. After years of historically low sales and affordability challenges, even slight rate relief may help more buyers close on homes.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the market remains uneven. First-time buyers continue to struggle with high rents, debt, and limited lower-priced inventory, pushing their share to a record low of 21%. Meanwhile, baby boomers and cash buyers—who now account for roughly a quarter of all purchases—continue to dominate, especially in higher price ranges.
Keith Griffith, NAR Predicts Double-Digit Growth in Home Sales in 2026 With Prices Rising 4%, realtor.com (Nov. 17, 2025), https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/2026-housing-market-forecast-nar/.
Tags: boomers, closing, first-time buyers, increase in home price, mortgage rates decline, NAR, Price, rebound, sales, U..S. housing market