If you’ve been feeling discouraged by today’s high home prices and painful mortgage rates, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of home buyers feel stuck right now. But there’s finally some good news on the horizon.
According to new data from Realtor.com, 2026 could be the first year in a long time where the housing market becomes easier for home buyers, with prices expected to drop in 22 major U.S. cities.
As someone who has been working in SEO and writing about real estate trends for over 5 years, I (Ammar) always try to break things down in simple, everyday language. So here’s what you really need to know.
A More Balanced Market Is Coming
Experts say the market is slowly shifting toward a buyer-friendly direction. That means neither sellers nor buyers will have extreme power — finally, a more normal market.
Mortgage rates, which have been sitting above 6% for so long, are expected to dip to around 6.3% in 2026. It’s not super cheap, but it’s definitely better than what many home buyers have been dealing with recently.
Lower rates + better wage growth = more people confidently stepping into the market.
Home Prices May Drop in 22 Cities
Here’s the part every home buyer wants to hear…
Realtor.com predicts home prices will fall in 22 of the 100 largest U.S. cities next year.
Most of these cities are in the South and West, with Florida leading the list. Seven out of eight major Florida cities are expected to see price drops.
The biggest projected declines:
- Cape Coral–Fort Myers, Florida: –10.2%
- North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton, Florida: –8.9%
Why the drop?
These places saw massive demand and fast price growth during the pandemic. Now, inventory has grown, demand has softened, and prices are cooling back down to reality.
For home buyers, that means more options and less competition.
Not Every City Will See Declines
While 22 cities may see prices fall, 78 other major cities are expected to see slight increases — around a 4% median rise.
That’s still much slower than the crazy spikes we saw during the pandemic years. Even in rising markets, prices are stabilizing, not skyrocketing.
Mortgage Rates May Ease, but Not Crash
Zillow expects mortgage rates to hover just above 6% in 2026. That’s still higher than the ultra-low pandemic rates, but historically, it’s pretty normal.
More inventory is also expected, which is great news — more choices usually means more negotiating power for home buyers.
What This Means for You as a Home Buyer
If you’ve been waiting for a better time to buy, 2026 might finally give you room to breathe.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Watch inventory trends in your preferred city.
- Get pre-approved early, so you’re ready when rates dip.
- Follow local price changes, especially in cooling markets like Florida.
- Be patient — the market is slowly shifting in your favor.
Final Thoughts
The housing market won’t suddenly become cheap overnight, but 2026 is shaping up to be a calmer, more balanced year for home buyers. With more inventory, lower mortgage rates, and price drops in key cities, you might finally have the chance to make a confident move.
If you’re planning to buy soon, keep researching your local market — and stay ready. Better opportunities are coming.
Ammar is a health supplement researcher and experienced review writer with over five years of hands-on experience studying dietary supplements, ingredients, and real user outcomes. He specializes in breaking down complex health topics into simple, honest, and easy-to-understand reviews that help readers make informed decisions.
Over the past five years, Ammar has researched and reviewed dozens of health and wellness supplements, focusing on ingredient transparency, scientific evidence, safety, and realistic expectations. His content is built on careful research, real-world insights, and a commitment to accuracy—always prioritizing reader trust over hype.
Ammar’s goal is to help everyday people understand what supplements can and can’t do, so they can choose products confidently and responsibly.
