Key changes being reported in 2026
1. The market is slowly shifting toward buyers
-
Several reports say the balance of power is beginning to tilt away from sellers.
-
One analysis found 44% more home sellers than buyers, creating a near-record gap that gives buyers more negotiating power.
2. Inventory (homes for sale) is rising
-
More homeowners are listing properties compared with the tight supply during 2021–2023.
-
Rising inventory is giving buyers more choices and less bidding competition.
3. Price growth is slowing
-
Prices are still high, but growth has slowed significantly compared with the pandemic boom.
-
Some forecasts say prices could even dip in certain cities during 2026.
4. Mortgage rates are still shaping the market
-
Rates remain higher than the ultra-low levels of 2020–2021, which has cooled demand.
-
Even small rate changes can strongly influence affordability and sales activity.
5. Buyers are regaining negotiating leverage
-
Discounts, seller concessions, and price reductions are appearing more often.
-
Experts say the market is “tilting back in the buyer’s favor” compared with the extreme seller’s market of recent years.
