Home sales could increase in 2026, hitting close to 5 million sales according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. We can expect to see more inventory gradually come on the market and home prices decline.
Here’s a quick summary of what the MBA is predicting (but who knows whether they will be right or not!)
- The Mortgage Bankers Association forecasts sluggish economic growth of 1.5 percent to 1.7 percent from 2026-2028, with a 35 percent chance of recession and unemployment rising to 4.7 percent in early 2026.
- Home sales are projected to surpass five million in 2026, driven by rising inventory and moderating home prices, with existing home sales up nearly 7 percent and new home sales increasing 6.5 percent.
- MBA forecasts mortgage rates will stabilize between 6.2 percent and 6.5 percent through 2027, while Fannie Mae expects rates below 6 percent by the end of 2026, indicating some divergence in projections.
- National home prices may decline in the latter half of 2026 due to increased supply and weaker demand, with price growth expected to resume in late 2027, according to MBA economists.
The economists at the Mortgage Bankers Association expect the economy to remain sluggish for the next three years but for home sales to inch up as mortgage rates stabilize in the mid-sixes. The MBA’s December economic and mortgage forecasts predict there’s a roughly 35 percent chance of a recession next year, with unemployment likely to rise to 4.7 percent in the first half of the year. While signs point to “below trend” economic growth of 1.5 to 1.7 percent from 2026 through 2028, home sales should break through the five million mark next year as more inventory gradually comes on the market and home prices decline, MBA forecasters say.
Federal Reserve policymakers approved their third rate cut of the year on Dec. 10, but issued economic projections suggesting that they might cut rates just once next year. The latest payroll and employment data released Dec. 16 showed the unemployment rate ticking up to 4.6 percent in November, with 7.831 million Americans out of work.
In a forecast made public on Dec. 23, Fannie Mae economists predicted rates on 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans will fall below 6 percent by the end of next year.
MBA forecasters this month are sticking with the mortgage rate forecast they issued in November, which predicted rates will average 6.4 percent in 2026 and 6.3 percent for much of 2027.
HOME SALES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 5 MILLION IN 2026
The MBA estimates that home sales grew by less than 1 percent in 2025, to 4.793 million. But sales of existing homes are expected to surge by nearly 7 percent next year, to 4.372 million, with new home sales also rising by 6.5 percent, to 735,000.
“Housing inventory continues to grow in many markets around the country, and this increased supply has helped to increase purchase activity as home buyers have more options to choose from and home price growth continues to moderate, with outright home price declines in a growing number of markets,” MBA economists said.
The MBA forecasts that sales of existing and new homes will continue to grow at an annual rate of more than 3 percent in 2027 and 2028.
Fannie Mae’s more optimistic take on where mortgage rates are headed next results in a more bullish forecast for sales of existing homes, which are projected to grow by 7.5 percent next year and 7.9 percent in 2027.
INCREASED INVENTORY MAY MEAN A DROP IN HOME PRICES
The normal economic rules apply to the real estate market just as they apply to any other market. Increased inventory can mean a drop in prices unless demand increases to the same extent. MBA economists see national home price appreciation turning negative in the second half of next year on rising inventory levels and weaker demand, and not posting positive growth until Q4 2027.
Fannie Mae’s home price forecast, last updated in October, predicts home price appreciation will cool to 1.3 percent by the end of next year but remain positive.
If all of this is intriguing – or confusing – let’s talk! I love helping people understand what is going on in the real estate market around the DC area and nationally! Please give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com and we can talk about how the shifting real estate market affects home affordability for you.