With mortgage rates approaching 6%, 5.5 million additional buyers that could not qualify for a mortgage one year ago would qualify at today’s lower rates, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

After a precipitous drop in December, pending sales were up 8.9%, indicating buyers are beginning to reenter the market. 

Lavender expected existing home prices to decline slightly in 2026 and resume growth in 2027 and 2028.

Zillow’s Home Value Index shows that in 13 of the past 20 years, home values in the metro area of the Super Bowl champion grew faster than the national average.

Atlanta will experience a projected 50% drop in new multifamily inventory this year, according to Marcus & Millichap’s 2026 Atlanta Multifamily Investment Forecast.

Atlanta offered prime conditions for buyers — meaning options abounded and price remained in check.

Among the socioeconomic factors putting Atlanta near the top was the city’s cost of living, which sits comfortably at 6% below the national average.

Middle-income seniors stand to be affected most by projected shortages — those who don’t qualify for subsidized housing but can’t afford new construction.

Affordability challenges continue to bedevil homebuyers, despite mortgage rates falling to a three-year low, the National Association of Home Builders reported. 

Sales of existing homes jumped 5.1% month over month, topping analyst expectations. 

Contract signings were up in all four U.S. regions. 

The NAHB’s monthly survey found the nation’s homebuilders remain optimistic about home sales next year. 

Geographically, trends varied widely, with formerly hot areas like Florida and the Southeast posting the deepest declines and formerly cool areas, like the Midwest, showing healthy gains.

By region, sales rose in the Midwest, Northeast and South but fell in the West. 

The chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS® also predicts home prices will climb 4% compared to 2025. 

Nationwide, the median price for a single-family home increased 1.7% year over year to $426,800. Prices increased by the same annual rate during the second quarter.