Is This the Year Housing Finally Rebounds?
For a moment, it looked like the housing market was ready to rebound. Mortgage rates had eased, inventory was rising, and affordability showed early improvement, but the surge never came.
Higher borrowing costs, economic uncertainty, and cautious consumers kept activity muted. Homeowners with low fixed rates stayed put and buyers hesitated at elevated prices. Existing home sales remained historically subdued.
Now, optimism is returning, supported by three measurable shifts: mortgage rates, inventory, and price growth.
Rates have moved down from recent highs into the low 6% range and while far from the 3% era, even modest declines meaningfully improve monthly payments and buying power. More importantly, buyers and sellers are adjusting expectations. The ultra-low rate environment is no longer the benchmark, and life events are bringing more people back into the market.
Inventory has also improved, with active listings meaningfully higher than during the tightest post-pandemic years, giving buyers more leverage and time to decide. Supply still trails pre-2020 levels nationally, but the added options have reduced urgency and bidding pressure.
Price growth has cooled to low single digits, with national median prices largely flat year over year. That moderation is healthy and avoids volatility while giving wages time to catch up. Regional differences remain, but nationally the trend points toward stability rather than surge or collapse.
Some economists describe this moment as a housing reset. Not a boom. Not a crash. A recalibration.
Sales volume may rise modestly, but not necessarily dramatically. The market feels quieter than the frenzy years, and that may be exactly what restores confidence.
If you are considering a move, preparation and timing matter. In a steady market, strategy wins. Reach out anytime to talk through your goals and position yourself thoughtfully for what comes next!
