One Key Difference Shaping the Market as We Head Into 2026

At a glance, the market hasn’t changed dramatically through 2025. Conditions have remained relatively soft, with prices largely flat and only modest improvements in overall activity. That part hasn’t shifted much.

However, there is one key difference compared to early 2025 — and it matters.

Interest rates are meaningfully lower now than they were this time last year.

This is the potential trajectory changer. Lower rates don’t create a frenzy, but they do improve affordability, confidence, and decision-making. Historically, this is when markets begin to transition from stalled to steady.

That’s also why most economists are predicting 2026 to be a rebuilding year — one marked by slow, upward growth, rather than downward pressure. Not a boom, not a correction, but a more balanced and sustainable environment.

What This Means for Buyers

Markets like this often reward preparation and patience. When conditions stabilize and borrowing becomes more manageable, buyers tend to have more clarity and better negotiating leverage than they do in overheated or highly uncertain periods.

If you’d like me to keep an eye on the market and reach out when something genuinely fits, feel free to DM me on Instagram. There’s no pressure or commitment — just informed guidance as things unfold.