What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About the 2026 Housing Market
If you’re wondering what the 2026 real estate market has in store—especially after a few unpredictable years—you’re not alone. Buyers, sellers, and homeowners across New Hampshire and Massachusetts are all asking the same questions:
- Are mortgage rates finally stabilizing?
- Will home prices rise or soften?
- Is now the right time to buy or sell?
- What mistakes should I avoid this year?
In this month’s UPSIDE / DOWNSIDE Real Estate Report we break it down locally—so you can make smart, confident decisions in today’s evolving market here in the Northeast.
🔺 THE UPSIDE: What’s Working in the 2026 Housing Market
1. Mortgage Rates Are Lower—and More Predictable
We entered 2025 with rates hovering near 7%. Today, we’re seeing rates settle into the low 6% range, with forecasts suggesting they’ll remain relatively steady throughout 2026.
That stability matters.
Buyers can plan again. Sellers can price strategically. And homeowners who’ve been waiting on the sidelines finally have clarity.
What this means for buyers:
You don’t need “perfect” rates—you need a strategy. Well-prepared buyers are already securing homes and refinancing later.
What this means for sellers:
Buyer confidence is improving, which brings consistent demand—especially for homes that are priced and presented correctly from day one.
2. Affordability Is Improving (Yes, Really)
Affordability is shaped by three factors:
- Mortgage rates
- Home prices
- Wages
Here’s the good news: wages are projected to outpace home price growth in 2026, and home prices are expected to rise modestly—around 1–2% nationally.
That combination creates breathing room.
For the first time since 2022, the typical buyer’s mortgage payment is expected to fall below 30% of household income, a key affordability benchmark.
3. Inventory Is Growing—But Not Everywhere
Inventory rose steadily through 2025 and is expected to grow another ~10% in 2026, bringing many markets closer to pre-pandemic norms.
But here’s the nuance most headlines miss:
- The Northeast and Midwest (including NH & MA) remain relatively tight
- The South and West are seeing softer conditions and more price pressure
This is why local expertise matters more than national headlines.
🔻 THE DOWNSIDE: Where Buyers and Sellers Get Tripped Up
1. The Market Is Resetting—Not Rebounding
2026 is not a “back to frenzy” year.
Experts are calling it a reset year, meaning:
- Less emotional decision-making
- More negotiation
- Greater importance on preparation, pricing, and presentation
Homes that feel “average” will sit.
Homes that feel irresistible will still move.
2. Expired Listings Are at a Decade High
In the first week of 2026 alone, ~170,000 listings expired nationally—representing billions in unrealized home value.
Why homes fail to sell:
- Overpricing based on outdated expectations
- Weak marketing
- No clear strategy after going live
Here’s what the data shows:
- Sellers who relist with a new agent are far more likely to sell
- Homes that adjust price or strategy outperform those that don’t
- Nearly half of expired sellers haven’t relisted yet, waiting for the right plan
👉 Translation: Strategy—not luck—sells homes in 2026.
3. Buyers Are More Selective
With more options available, buyers are comparing:
- Condition
- Layout
- Systems
- Location
- Price vs. value
This means sellers can no longer rely on “just listing” and hoping for the best.
🧠 The Big Opportunity in 2026: Smart Strategy Wins
The agents—and homeowners—who win in 2026 are the ones who:
- Understand national trends
- Apply them locally
- Execute with precision
That’s exactly why I created my two signature programs.
🏡 For Sellers: The Seller Mastery Program®
If you’re selling in 2026, how you sell matters just as much as when you sell.
My Seller Mastery Program® is a proven, data-driven system designed to:
- Position your home as a must-have
- Eliminate guesswork with strategic pricing
- Maximize exposure through digital, video, and targeted marketing
- Reduce time on market and protect your equity
This is not a “list and wait” market.
This is a mastery market.
👉 Learn more about the Seller Mastery Program® here:
www.sellyourhousewithsteph.com/sellermasteryprogram
🔑 For Buyers: The Buyer Mastery Program®
Buyers who succeed in 2026 aren’t chasing listings—they’re prepared, strategic, and decisive.
My Buyer Mastery Program® helps clients:
- Buy smarter, not harder
- Compete confidently without overpaying
- Understand timing, negotiation, and financing strategies
- Secure the right home—often within their first or second offer
👉 Explore the Buyer Mastery Program® here:
www.sellyourhousewithsteph.com/buyermasteryprogram
🔁 For Expired & Canceled Listings: What to Do Next
If your home didn’t sell, it doesn’t mean it won’t.
Most expired listings fail because the strategy didn’t match the market—not because of the home itself.
My free guide helps you:
- Understand why your home didn’t sell the first time
- Identify what needs to change before re-listing
- Avoid repeating the same mistakes
- Re-enter the market with clarity and confidence
👉 Download the free guide “My Home Didn’t Sell… Now What?” here:
https://stephaniesaunders.foundationbrokeragegroup.com/expired
Final Thoughts: 2026 Is a Year for Confident Moves
The 2026 real estate market is:
- Steadier
- More balanced
- Highly local
- Full of opportunity—for those who understand it
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just planning your next move, the key is education + execution.
And if you want a clear plan—not guesswork—I’m here to help.
📩 Ready to talk strategy?
Visit www.sellyourhousewithsteph.com or reach out directly.
You don’t need perfect conditions.
You need the right plan.
‘Till next month,
Steph
Stephanie Saunders
REALTOR® | Senior Real Estate Specialist SRES®
Foundation Brokerage Group NH. MA. ME
M: (978) 641-1114
