What’s Ahead for the 2026 Housing Market and What It Means for You
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026. As we start fresh, one of the most common questions I hear from friends, neighbors, and past clients is this: What’s next for our local housing market? Whether you’re simply curious about your home’s value, thinking about a move this year, or wondering if it’s a good time to buy or sell in our area, this overview offers a thoughtful snapshot of what industry experts are expecting.
I’m here to share the 2026 Housing Market Outlook that highlights how the real estate landscape is evolving after several years of tight supply, rising prices, and limited mobility. The full report can be found HERE, but here’s a quick summary of what you should know:
• A More Balanced Market May Be Emerging:
After years of pandemic-driven extremes, the market is settling into something closer to “normal.” Inventory is expected to grow nationally, giving buyers more options and easing some pressure on competition. Compass
• Home Values Are Stabilizing
Instead of dramatic price increases, forecasters are predicting modest growth. Combined with rising incomes in many areas, that means affordability could slowly improve for interested buyers. Compass Investors
• Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Be More Favorable
While rates won’t be what we saw in the decades before 2020, experts think rates in 2026 could be more predictable and slightly lower than what we’ve become used to over the last few years. That gives both buyers and sellers more certainty when making plans. Compass
• Mobility Could Pick Up
Many homeowners have stayed put longer than they planned in recent years. With these conditions, more people may feel ready to make a move whether that means upsizing, downsizing, or relocating closer to family, work, or better schools. Compass Investors
This outlook isn’t a crystal ball, but it is a grounded, data-driven look at trends that could make 2026 a meaningful year for anyone thinking about their next chapter. The local details matter and I’m always happy to walk through what these national trends might mean right here in Northwest Indiana and the Southwest Chicago suburbs.
If you want to explore the full 2026 Housing Market Outlook and see where things stand as we kick off the year, click below:
Read the full 2026 Housing Market Outlook https://www.compass.com/research/market-outlook/agents/nicole-milford/
Whether you’re just curious or ready to make a move, I’m here to help you make sense of it all. Let’s chat about your goals and how the market may support them.
