US housing market poised to crash ‘worse than 2008,’ expert warns. And 50% plunge could start in 2026. Protect yourself

Market Outlook - The U.S. housing market is expected to undergo a significant correction, potentially starting as early as 2026, with a large historical price decline anticipated over several years [1][5][6] - Zillow reported that 53% of U.S. homes lost value over the past year, the highest share since 2012, with an average drawdown of 9.7% [2][3] Price and Income Discrepancy - The median sales price of a U.S. home reached $410,800 in Q2 2025, a 42% increase over the past decade, while the median household income is only $83,730, creating a significant gap [3][4] - Realtor.com estimates that a typical household now needs to earn approximately $118,530 annually to afford a median-priced home, highlighting the disconnect between home prices and household income [3][4] Investor Behavior - During the last housing crash, large investors intervened to buy homes, which halted the price decline; however, this time, it is argued that such intervention may not occur [4][5] - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the housing market is already in a "recession" due to Federal Reserve policy, with warnings from various analysts about a potential severe downturn [7]