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. 

As the housing market continues to adjust, design and community strategy have become drivers of buyer preference, according to Jenni Nichols, vice president of design at John Burns Research and Consulting.

Almost 11,000 new affordable apartments were delivered in Atlanta over a five-year period. 

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. 

Research showed a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers active in the construction trades nationally in 2024.

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

Access to musical events and industry jobs might drive Atlanta’s high artist population.

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

Evidence points to home shoppers prioritizing the experiences they’ll have in their home over the style or size, Zillow said.