The National Association Of Realtors Releases Housing Market Predictions For 2026, 'We Will See A Measurable Increase In Sales'

Core Insights - The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts a significant rebound in the housing market for 2026, with a forecasted 14% increase in nationwide home sales and a 5% increase in new-home sales [2] - Home prices are expected to rise by 4% due to job growth and supply shortages [2] Group 1: Market Predictions - NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun anticipates a measurable increase in sales in 2026, driven by positive market conditions [2] - Early signs of market activity include an increase in mortgage applications and a decrease in mortgage rates [3][4] Group 2: Mortgage Trends - Mortgage applications have remained consistently above last year, indicating a strong desire among consumers to enter the market [4] - The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate has decreased from 7% in January to 6.24%, with expectations of averaging around 6% next year, improving affordability [5] Group 3: Market Disparities - The housing market rebound is expected to vary across different segments, with the upper end of the market performing better than the lower end [6] - There is a disparity between buyers with existing home equity and those attempting to enter the market [7]