Real Estate Ray

Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale says mortgage rates starting 2026 much lower than last year give home shoppers reason to be optimistic.

"Lower mortgage rates are particularly beneficial for first-time homebuyers who have navigated the challenge of elevated rents and high-home prices while trying to compete with investors for the limited number of entry-level options," she says.

While the market remains challenging overall, some cities and neighborhoods offer more homes for sale and stronger local economies, creating better opportunities for first-time buyers.

Learn more: https://rltor.cm/EvGryG

2019: "I'm waiting for the market to crash."
2020: "Pandemic! See? I was right!"
2021: "Prices are insane. I'll wait."
2022: "Rates are too high. I'll wait."
2023: "Still too expensive."
2024: "New administration..."
2025: Still renting. Still waiting. Still wrong.

Meanwhile, the "panic buyers" of 2019?
They own homes worth $95k more.
They've built six years of equity.
They're not paying rent.

The crash you're waiting for?
Even if prices drop 15%, that's $417k → $354k.
Still $32k more than 2019.
You're still behind.

And when prices DO drop?
Every "patient" buyer floods the market.
That $354k house gets 15 offers.
Bidding war pushes it to $375k.
You waited six years to overpay anyway.

One of you is winning. Hint: Not you.

Every year you wait costs:

Appreciation you'll never recover
Equity you'll never build
Rent you'll never get back