Phillip Stern - Real Estate

What To Expect from the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2026

The second half of the year probably won't be perfect. But it could be better.
Mortgage rates may ease. Home sales could pick up. And prices are expected to continue rising at a healthier, more sustainable pace. If you've been waiting for signs of progress, this is it.
If you want to understand what these forecasts mean for your plans and what’s happening in our local market, let’s connect.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

What To Expect from the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2026 If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you're not the only one.

What Buying or Selling a Home Gives Back to Your Community

Moving is both a personal milestone and an investment in your community. So, if the time is right for you, let's connect. You'll make a difference for more people than you know.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

What Buying or Selling a Home Gives Back to Your Community Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. And right now, it feels even bigger.

Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision, especially when costs are high. But if the timing's right for you, here's a reason to feel good about your move.

Every home sale sends real money into your local economy. An existing home adds more than $64,000. A newly built one? Over $134,000.

So, not only is your move a major milestone for you, but it also gives a boost to your community as a whole.

Because behind every sale, there’s a whole network of people doing their jobs – contractors, lenders, inspectors, movers, and more. And your move helps with their livelihoods.

DM me to find out what a move would mean for our area.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

Think a newly built home is out of your budget? Over time, it might cost less than you think.

Compared to an existing home that’s 20 years old, buying new saves the average buyer more than $25,000 over the first 10 years.

Why? A brand-new roof, HVAC system, and water heater mean lower energy bills and fewer repairs early on.

So, the home that looks pricier upfront could actually cost you less over time.

DM me, and let’s look at what newly built homes in our area could save you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021

Down payments are smaller than they’ve been in years, and that opens the door for more buyers.

And with added help from assistance programs and a little help from loved ones, you may have more ways forward than you realized. Connect with a trusted lender to talk through your options.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021 Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home.

Today’s buyers are putting less money down. And that’s reassuring if you’ve been feeling priced out of the market lately.

The typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that's a 19% year-over-year dip, and the lowest down payments have been since 2021. How’s that possible?

A more balanced market and more moderate home prices are easing the pressure to put a big sum down. Plus, more buyers are opting for loans that require little or no down payments, like FHA and VA loans.

That combination is helping more people stop waiting and start buying.

So, if saving’s been the holdup, it’s time to explore your options.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

The Housing Market Is Stronger Than You Think

This market isn't broken, and waiting for a crash that isn't coming has a cost. Every month spent on the sidelines is a month someone else is building equity, locking in a price, or getting ahead of what most experts expect to be a housing surge once broader economic conditions settle.

Whether you're thinking about buying or selling, a local real estate agent can help you figure out what this market means for your specific situation and what your next move could look like.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

The Housing Market Is Stronger Than You Think You've probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately.

A lot of buyers and sellers are holding back right now because they're worried we're headed for another 2008. But look at the numbers.

In 2008, homeowner equity and mortgage debt were nearly identical. That means, if someone hit a rough patch, they had almost nothing to fall back on. That's part of what made that crash so bad.

Today? Home equity is at $34.9 trillion. Debt is at $14.4 trillion. So, homeowners aren't stuck. They have equity built up in their homes – which means if they needed to sell, many could and they’d still come out ahead. They have a cushion.

This isn’t a crash. Today’s market still has a solid foundation.

And if worries about a crash have been keeping you on the sidelines, it might be worth having a conversation about what a move could look like for you right now.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]