The tide might be turning for homebuyers in 2026. How buyers and sellers can make real estate work in 2026

According to Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist, “Inventory levels are about 20% above one year ago, so there are more choices for consumers (6).” Meanwhile, Realtor.com’s 2026 housing forecast predicts an 8.9% year-over-year increase in existing home inventory for 2026 (7).The good news for homeowners is that housing inventory appears to be on the rise.One big reason home prices generally remain high has been limited inventory. When supply is scarce, prices tend to rise.Here’s a closer look at why thi ...