Neill Realty Group

A recent study shows many homebuyers are worried about mortgage rates, housing inventory, and home prices, but much of the concern is driven by misconceptions. Mortgage rates are not expected to drop significantly and will likely stay in the low 6% range, meaning waiting may not bring big savings.

While housing inventory has increased slightly, it is still below pre-pandemic levels, so there isn’t an oversupply of homes. And despite some local price drops, home prices are not crashing overall—they are mostly still rising or stabilizing after recent gains. Overall, current market fears are often exaggerated, and conditions are more balanced than headlines suggest.

A new Harris Poll survey shows growing pessimism about the U.S. housing market, with many Americans saying the “American Dream” of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach.

Across generations, respondents reported that buying a home is too expensive and difficult to achieve, while existing homeowners say rising costs for utilities, insurance, and maintenance are making ownership harder to sustain. Many younger adults, especially Gen Z and millennials, feel they may never afford a home—or even regret buying one they already have.

The poll suggests the housing market is not collapsing but stuck in an “affordability standoff,” with both buyers and owners feeling financial strain and little relief in sight.