Yaritza Valentin, Realty One

There is a lot of speculation about what the 2026 housing market will look like. And while every area moves at its own pace, several clear trends are emerging.

Home sales are expected to surge. The National Association of Realtors forecasts a 14% increase in existing-home sales in 2026, driven by easing mortgage rates and stronger buyer demand.

Moderate home price growth ahead. While price declines aren’t expected, home prices are projected to rise by around 4% in 2026, as supply remains tight and job growth continues.

Inventory improvements, but quality remains key. Inventory is expected to increase modestly (5-10% in some markets) providing more options for buyers, but homes in better locations and better condition will still command premium attention.

From my family to yours…wishing you a warm and joyful Christmas.

Your walkthrough is your last chance to make sure everything is exactly as expected - no unexpected damage, inspection items repaired, and all the inclusions left in place. Never skip it.

A little prep today makes your January move dramatically smoother.

Organizing documents, decluttering, updating your pre-approval, or creating a simple checklist can take the chaos out of moving season. Before the new year, set yourself up with:

• a clear timeline
• a clean workspace
• your financial documents gathered
• a plan for what’s coming next

Mail early, label clearly, and give your future self one less thing to stress about. Holiday shipping season waits for no one!

Sellers who put in the work during December are setting themselves up for faster, stronger offers once January hits. While many homeowners wait until after the holidays to start prepping, the ones who get ahead of the curve are entering the new year with a major advantage.

Buyers come back into the market energized after the holidays, and they’re ready to move quickly, especially when inventory is still tight. A clean, decluttered, well-staged home that’s been prepped early stands out immediately and attracts serious attention.

From minor touch-ups to deep cleaning, gathering repair estimates, or tackling overdue projects, every bit of prep you do now pays off once showings start rolling in.