Will stable mortgage rates and home prices set the table for a strong 2026?

HousingWire
Published: December 30, 2025
Pricing & Profitability

Summary

This article discusses the current state of the U.S. housing market and its potential impact on home sales in 2026. While mortgage rates are expected to remain relatively stable, shifts in local market conditions, like inventory levels and price growth, will be key for potential buyers and may influence hosts. Hosts should pay attention to local market trends to anticipate changes in demand.

Key Insights

  • Home prices are heating up in markets with lower supply.
  • Slower home-price appreciation is leading to higher levels of for-sale inventory in former Sun Belt hotspots.
  • Mortgage rates are expected to stay relatively stable in early 2026, but the trajectory may not be smooth. Some analysts anticipate a potential 25-basis-point cut in one of the first three Fed meetings of 2026.

Action Items

  • Consider implementing dynamic pricing strategies based on your local market conditions to maximize occupancy and revenue.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: high
  • Hosts should monitor their local market conditions, including inventory levels, price trends, and the pace of sales, to anticipate shifts in demand and adjust pricing strategies accordingly.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

Tools & Resources

  • Real House Price Index (RHPI): First American’s Real House Price Index (RHPI)

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