[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fbwk2pqjjqsc7":3,"$f1qp2xe82xqdx2":124},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64,68,72,76,80,84,88,92,96,100,104,108,112,116,120],{"id":5,"name":6,"slug":7},1,"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},5,"For Buyers","buyers",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},6,"For Sellers","sellers",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},7,"Foreclosures","foreclosures",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},8,"Infographics","infographics",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},9,"Home Prices","home-prices",{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},11,"First-Time Buyers","first-time-buyers",{"id":33,"name":34,"slug":35},34,"Senior Market","senior-market",{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},35,"Mortgage Rates","mortgage-rates",{"id":41,"name":42,"slug":43},38,"Move-Up","move-up",{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47},41,"For Sale by Owner","for-sale-by-owner",{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},42,"Featured","featured",{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},45,"New Construction","new-construction",{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59},52,"Luxury \u002F Vacation","luxury--vacation",{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},53,"Rent vs. Buy","rent-vs-buy",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67},80,"Time-sensitive","time-sensitive",{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71},81,"Outdated","outdated",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75},147,"Internal","internal",{"id":77,"name":78,"slug":79},148,"Do Not Autopost","do-not-autopost",{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},320,"Inventory","inventory",{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},321,"Agent Value","agent-value",{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},322,"Affordability","affordability",{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},323,"Buying Tips","buying-tips",{"id":97,"name":98,"slug":99},324,"Downsize","downsize",{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},325,"Economy","economy",{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},326,"Equity","equity",{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},327,"Forecasts","forecasts",{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},328,"Selling Tips","selling-tips",{"id":117,"name":118,"slug":119},339,"Expired\u002FWithdrawn\u002FCanceled","expiredwithdrawncanceled",{"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123},340,"Price It Right\u002FOverpricing","price-it-rightoverpricing",{"items":125,"totalCount":291,"hasMore":292},[126,147,165,180,197,211,226,241,260,275],{"id":127,"slug":128,"title":129,"description":130,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":133,"bannerImage":131,"body":134,"agentsBottomLine":135,"bodyImage":136,"isInfographic":137,"categories":138,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":145,"updatedAt":146},109220,"the-1-factor-that-explains-everything-happening-with-home-prices-right-now","The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now","\u003Cp>You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off.\u003C\u002Fp>","","blog","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-2213672932-original.png","\u003Cp>You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that's true – nationally. But zoom in on \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fis-it-still-a-sellers-market-heres-what-the-data-says\u002F\">individual markets\u003C\u002Fa> across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Some areas are still seeing solid \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F17\u002Fthink-home-prices-will-crash-heres-what-the-experts-actually-expect\u002F\">price growth\u003C\u002Fa>. Others have gone flat. A few have actually dipped slightly negative. So, what's causing all of that variation?\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>It All Comes Down to Inventory\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here's the simple version:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col style=\"list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>When there are more homes for sale, buyers have options.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>More options, means less competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Less competition means sellers can't push prices as high.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>On the flip side, when inventory is tight, buyers are competing over a small pool of homes, and that pushes prices up.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That dynamic is playing out right now in a really visible way across the country. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Markets where inventory has climbed back to, or above, normal pre-pandemic levels are seeing prices flatten or fall slightly. Markets where inventory is still well below those 2019 benchmarks are still seeing prices rise. As Lance Lambert, CEO of \u003Cem>ResiClub\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002Fp\u002Fmajor-housing-markets-with-falling-rising-home-prices-april-2026\">puts it\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\"Home prices are still climbing a little year-over-year in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>In contrast, some pockets in states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado — where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels by a solid clip — are seeing modest home price pullbacks or flat pricing.\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Maps Say It All \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Take a look at where inventory stands today compared to 2019. In most places (\u003Cem>the states in gray below\u003C\u002Fem>), inventory still falls short of where we were back then. And that’s exactly why prices are climbing, albeit moderately, in the vast majority of states.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But you’re probably more interested in where prices are falling a bit, since that’s what is making headlines. So, let’s prove out how much inventory affects prices in those spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, 15 states and Washington, D.C. are now back above pre-pandemic inventory levels, and some by a wide margin (\u003Cem>see the orange in the map below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-15-States-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">Now, let’s look at the latest \u003Cem>Federal Housing Finance Agency\u003C\u002Fem> (FHFA) \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fhfa.gov\u002Fdata\u002Fhpi\u002Fdatasets?tab=hpi-summary-table\">data\u003C\u002Fa> to see what's happened to home prices in those same states over the past year (\u003Cem>again,\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Cem>you’ll want to focus on the orange in the next map\u003C\u002Fem>). \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>See how those line up pretty closely with the areas seeing more homes for sale today?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The overlap isn't a coincidence. It's cause and effect.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-Price-Changes-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The national average of 1.7% price growth is accurate, but it's an average of two very different stories happening at the same time – the few areas experiencing mild declines and the overwhelming majority that are still seeing \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F18\u002Fare-home-prices-going-to-fall\u002F\">prices rise\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What This Means If You’re Buying or Selling \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you're a buyer, the market you're shopping in matters a lot right now. In places like Texas, Colorado, or Florida, you may have real negotiating power – more choices, less competition, and sellers who are more motivated to make \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F10\u002Flower-asking-prices-are-a-win-for-todays-buyers\u002F\">a deal\u003C\u002Fa>. In tighter markets like much of the Northeast, you're still likely facing a lot of competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you're a seller, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">pricing strategy\u003C\u002Fa> is everything. In markets where inventory has risen, overpricing is one of the fastest ways to linger on the market and eventually sell for less than you would have with the right price from day one. In markets where inventory is still low, you're in a strong spot, but getting your price right still matters if you want to attract serious buyers quickly. Either way, that's where a local real estate agent earns their keep.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>When it comes to prices, where you are matters more than ever right now, and a local real estate agent is the best person to help you make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Reach out today and let's build a plan that fits our market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-15-States-original.png",false,[139,140,141,142,143,144],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-29T10:30:00Z","2026-06-25T17:03:09Z",{"id":148,"slug":149,"title":150,"description":151,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":152,"bannerImage":131,"body":153,"agentsBottomLine":154,"bodyImage":155,"isInfographic":137,"categories":156,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":163,"updatedAt":164},108801,"two-big-reasons-to-move-this-summer","Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer","\u003Cp>A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: \u003Cem>\"Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down.\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-171021376-original.png","\u003Cp>A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: \u003Cem>\"Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down.\"\u003C\u002Fem> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F03\u002Fthe-mid-year-housing-market-update-why-forecasts-changed-in\u002F\">aren’t expected\u003C\u002Fa> to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Historically, Summer is one of the strongest seasons of the year for both buyers and sellers. And if you delay your move until Fall or Winter, some of those opportunities may already be fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Buyers: Fresh Inventory Is Your Real Summer Advantage\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>One of the biggest frustrations buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F08\u002Fcould-moving-a-bit-further-out-change-everything-about-your-budget\u002F\">affordable options\u003C\u002Fa>. Maybe you’ve run into that yourself:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You find a house you like, but it's out of your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You find something in your budget, but you don’t like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Or worse, nothing interesting hits the market for weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Historically, Summer helps with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Looking at \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from the last few years, Summer months consistently bring more sellers into the market than later in the year. And that gives buyers a real window of fresh choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>any given Summer month typically sees about 32% more fresh options than the average month from September-December.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F202600611-Fresh-Listings-original.png\" alt=\"a graph showing a number of prices\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>With more newly listed homes, there’s a better chance of finding one you like where the numbers actually work.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Because all it really takes is one home to completely change your search. And if you’ve got more popping onto the market to choose from, maybe one of those is exactly what you need. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But keep in mind, this seasonal window isn’t open forever. Fresh inventory tends to slow down once Summer ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Many homeowners who planned to sell this year have already listed by then. Families who wanted to move before school starts have often already gotten it done, or at least, set it into motion. So, new listing activity usually cools as we head into Fall and Winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, every year is different. But if finding the right home at the right price has been your biggest challenge, waiting until later in the year may not necessarily give you more options. In fact, \u003Cstrong>recent history suggests it may do just the opposite.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Sellers: Homes Usually Sell for More in the Summer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you're thinking of selling, you may be considering holding off because you've seen headlines about lower asking prices, price cuts, and softer conditions in some markets. But those headlines don’t tell the whole story or convey just how much it varies by area.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s what you really need to know. Even though the market’s becoming more balanced and some pockets are experiencing price declines, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to sell.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Seasonality can still work in your favor no matter where you are\u003C\u002Fstrong>. And this Summer could still give you the chance to sell for a good price.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR), \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fhousing-statistics\u002Fexisting-home-sales​\">\u003Cstrong>homes sold\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> during a Summer month usually sell for about 4% more \u003C\u002Fstrong>than homes sold during the typical month from September-December:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F20260611-Homes-Sell-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a sales report\"> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Why? \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fblogs\u002Feconomists-outlook\u002Fthe-market-dynamics-of-june-sales-inventory-and-buyer-trends\">Summer buyers\u003C\u002Fa> are usually operating on a set timeframe. They’re trying to move before the next school year or when they have more PTO and warmer weather to tour houses. That urgency can translate into better offers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, that doesn’t mean you should price your house 4% higher this Summer. That would actually be a \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">mistake\u003C\u002Fa> in today’s market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It just means if you’re looking to get as much for your house as you reasonably can, a Summer move could be a smarter play than waiting until later this year. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Because based on typical seasonality\u003C\u002Fstrong>, you may get more for your house than you would if you waited until the Fall or Winter (when there are typically fewer buyers active).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if you're considering a move anyway, that’s worth factoring in.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F202600611-Fresh-Listings-original.png",[157,158,159,160,161,162],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-11T10:30:00Z","2026-06-10T01:56:31Z",{"id":166,"slug":167,"title":168,"description":169,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":170,"bannerImage":131,"body":171,"agentsBottomLine":172,"bodyImage":173,"isInfographic":137,"categories":174,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":178,"updatedAt":179},108286,"the-real-reason-some-people-are-still-moving-right-now","The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now","\u003Cp>You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-2160571794-original.png","\u003Cp>You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F23\u002F3-things-that-are-not-going-to-happen-in-todays-housing-market\u002F\">rates\u003C\u002Fa> will come down, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F18\u002Fare-home-prices-going-to-fall\u002F\">prices\u003C\u002Fa> will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And honestly? A lot of people feel that way right now. But here’s what some are starting to realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Waiting doesn’t usually fix the thing that made you want to move in the first place.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your family still desperately needs more room. Your empty nest still feels too...empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your parents or \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">grandparents\u003C\u002Fa> still need you to live closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You just got married... or divorced.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your vision of retirement has you living somewhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Eventually, life can reach a point where waiting feels harder than moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why some people are still deciding \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F13\u002Fwondering-if-you-should-still-buy-a-home-right-now-heres-what-to-keep-in-mind\u002F\">to buy\u003C\u002Fa> right now, even in today’s market. Not because conditions are \u003Cstrong>perfect\u003C\u002Fstrong>. But because the \u003Cstrong>life changes\u003C\u002Fstrong> behind their move never really went away.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And maybe that’s exactly where you are too. If so, you’re certainly not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Real Reasons People Move \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fresearch-reports\u002Fhighlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers\">\u003Cstrong>Data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> from the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR) shows 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt like they had to purchase a home at that time, no matter the market.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That's an important reminder right now. Sure, the dollars and cents of your move have to make sense for you. But big life changes happen whether mortgage rates and home prices are high, low, or somewhere in between. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And those big life events happen more than you may think. NAR \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fnarresearchgroup\u002Fposts\u002Fthese-life-changing-events-happen-in-the-us-in-a-typical-2-year-span-bringing-th\u002F1139318224890181\u002F\">says\u003C\u002Fa> roughly 22.5 million people experience major life changes in a typical two-year span (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-22-Million-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of blue rectangular objects\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>These are exactly the kinds of things that can change how much space you need, where you want to live, or what kind of lifestyle makes sense now. Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Life doesn’t stand still—people get new jobs, grow their families, downsize after retirement, or simply want to live in a different neighborhood.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>And that’s what makes waiting so hard. Every month you spend hoping the market changes is another month living in a house that no longer works for your life. It’s stressful to feel stuck. And that feeling usually doesn’t disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>There May Be More Opportunity Than You Think\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But while affordability is still a challenge, there may still be a way for you to make your move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The number of homes for sale has been \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F22\u002Fmore-options-are-popping-up-this-spring\u002F\">growing\u003C\u002Fa> for 4 straight years (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>). That means more homes to choose from and, in some markets, more room to negotiate than buyers had just a few years ago. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-Inventory-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of growth of a straight year\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That doesn’t mean moving is suddenly easy. But it does mean some buyers are finding ways to make a move work. So, if you’ve been putting your plans on hold, maybe the question isn’t just:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“What’s the market doing?” or “When will it get better?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Maybe ask yourself this, too: \u003Cem>“Can I still live where I'm at right now and make it work?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If the answer to that second question is “\u003Cem>no\u003C\u002Fem>,” it may be worth having a conversation about what your options look like today – despite where rates or prices are. You could find your move is still possible after all. With more homes for sale, there’s a better chance to find one that fits your life (and your budget) right now.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-22-Million-original.png",[175,176,177],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-05-28T10:30:00Z","2026-05-26T16:23:13Z",{"id":181,"slug":182,"title":183,"description":184,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":185,"bannerImage":186,"body":187,"agentsBottomLine":188,"bodyImage":189,"isInfographic":137,"categories":190,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":195,"updatedAt":196},106860,"3-things-that-are-not-going-to-happen-in-todays-housing-market","3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today's Housing Market","\u003Cp>There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002FHeader-Image-20230116-Blog-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260429\u002FSTM-Banner-20230116-Blog-original.jpg","\u003Cp>There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Mortgage rates\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>The number of homes for sale\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Home prices\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>But a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Misconception #1: \u003Cem>“I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall Dramatically”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>One idea doing its rounds on social is that mortgage rates are going to drop dramatically soon. So, it’s better to wait to buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But is that \u003Cem>really \u003C\u002Fem>what’s expected?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While mortgage rates have come down a bit in the last few weeks, forecasts don’t show a major drop ahead. \u003Cstrong>The most likely scenario is that rates stay somewhere in the low 6% range this year.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And that’s not a big change from where rates are now (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260423-Mortgage-Rates-Projections-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260423-Mortgage-Rates-Projections-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with numbers and lines\">\u003C\u002Fa>Of course, this depends on where inflation and the economy go from here. But, based on what we know today, waiting for a big drop in rates may not work out the way some people hope. As \u003Cem>U.S. News\u003C\u002Fem> explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Mortgage rates aren't expected to change much over the next several quarters . . .”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Not to mention, even with rates where they are today, it’s already \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F13\u002Fwondering-if-you-should-still-buy-a-home-right-now-heres-what-to-keep-in-mind\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">more affordable\u003C\u002Fa> than a year ago. So, even if they don’t change much, it’s still better than it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Misconception #2: \u003Cem>\"There Are Too Many Homes for Sale Right Now”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>You’ve probably heard inventory is up. And nationally, it is. The number of homes for sale is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002FMarch-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">8% higher\u003C\u002Fa> than this time last year. But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of the reasons buyers have a bit more \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F11\u002Finventory-is-making-a-comeback-in-2026\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">breathing room\u003C\u002Fa> right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The problem is the headlines are making something good, sound bad. They’re focusing on how this is the most inventory we’ve had since 2019 or how many homes builders are building. And that can make it sound like the number of homes for sale is rising too far, too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But that’s not what the bigger picture shows.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002FMarch-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>Data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> from\u003Cem> Realtor.com \u003C\u002Fem>proves that, even though inventory is up compared to last year, it’s still nearly 14% lower than it was during the last normal housing market (2017-2019):\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260423-Despite-the-Progress-original.png\">While it can vary a lot based on where you live, only \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002FMarch-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>9 states\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> have more inventory than pre-pandemic today. \u003C\u002Fstrong>That’s a key reason why there still aren’t enough homes for sale to trigger something like the crash back in 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Misconception #3: \u003Cem>“Home Prices Are About To Crash”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>You’ve probably seen this one, too. The confusion is coming from the fact that some metros are experiencing slight price declines. And influencers are running with that and saying prices are crashing. But that’s not the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Most areas are seeing prices rise, not fall. \u003C\u002Fstrong>And that’s because:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Many homeowners aren’t selling because they don’t want to give up the low mortgage rate they locked in a few years ago. And that’s keeping a lid on how much inventory can grow.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Since inventory is still below pre-pandemic norms, there aren’t enough homes for sale to cause a price crash.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>And even in markets with more inventory, some sellers are choosing to pull their homes off the market instead of cutting prices.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>And those are 3 big reasons prices aren’t headed for a crash.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And even in the markets experiencing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">mild declines\u003C\u002Fa>, the drops aren’t enough to cancel out the big gains most homeowners have seen in the last 5 years\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>(\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260423-Recent-Home-Price-Declines-original.png\">That’s not a crash. That’s just prices moderating after a few record-breaking years.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Online posts are going to make things sound worse than they are. If you want a true, data-bound look at what’s really happening in today’s market, lean on a real estate agent.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Let’s connect so you have someone to separate fact from fiction today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260423-Mortgage-Rates-Projections-original.png",[191,192,193,194],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},"2026-04-23T10:30:00Z","2026-04-23T10:30:18Z",{"id":198,"slug":199,"title":200,"description":201,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":202,"bannerImage":131,"body":203,"agentsBottomLine":204,"bodyImage":205,"isInfographic":137,"categories":206,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":209,"updatedAt":210},106857,"more-options-are-popping-up-this-spring","More Options Are Popping Up This Spring","\u003Cp>Did you try to buy a home last year, but you ended up pressing pause?\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-814730874-original.png","\u003Cp>Did you try to buy a home last year, but you ended up pressing pause?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Maybe you couldn’t find a home that really fit your needs. Or maybe the ones you liked just weren’t affordable. According to a recent survey from \u003Cem>NerdWallet\u003C\u002Fem>, those were the top two reasons buyers gave up on their search in 2025.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But this Spring, there's one trend that could help fix both of those frustration points:\u003Cstrong> more homes are hitting the market.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Number of Fresh Listings Is Almost 2x Higher Than a Few Months Ago\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Data\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> shows there are nearly \u003Cstrong>2x as many new listings hitting the market today as there were just 3 months ago. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Those are homes the seller just put up for sale\u003Cstrong> (\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260422-There-Are-Nearly-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260422-There-Are-Nearly-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a bar chart\">\u003C\u002Fa>That’s a significant rise. And while we usually see an uptick as we head into the busiest time of the year, this increase was bigger than normal. Jake Krimmel, Senior Economist at \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmediaroom.realtor.com\u002F2026-04-01-Tensions-Cloud-a-Spring-Market-That-Was-Just-Finding-Its-Footing,-According-to-Realtor-com-R-March-Housing-Report\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>New listings jumped 21.2% from February to 439,000, a larger-than-typical seasonal surge . . .\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> March typically sees the biggest month-over-month jump in new listings of the entire buying season, averaging an 18% increase since 2017; this year it exceeded 20%.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>That means more sellers are jumping back into the market, and that’s giving buyers more fresh options to choose from. So, if you’d felt like you’d seen everything out there and still nothing was quite right, this may be your moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>With that many “\u003Cem>just listed\u003C\u002Fem>” homes, one of them could be exactly what you’ve been searching for.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Where You Have More Options\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And this trend is happening across most of the country, so you should have more options pretty much whereever you are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Earlier this year, the Northeast had fewer new listings because winter storms delayed sellers from putting their homes on the market. But now, that region is catching up fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In March, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">new listings\u003C\u002Fa> jumped across nearly every state, especially in the Northeast, helping drive a strong national rebound.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Rising Inventory Means for You\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Right now, there are \u003Cstrong>almost a million homes for sale nationwide.\u003C\u002Fstrong> That’s up over \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002FMarch-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">8%\u003C\u002Fa> compared to last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>With that many homes on the market, there’s a much better chance something will fit what you’re looking for, especially with so many fresh options being added right now. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at \u003Cem>First American\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.firstam.com\u002Feconomics\u002Fspring-home-buying-activity-may-hinge-on-one-factor\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“One of the most encouraging signals heading into the spring home-buying season is the improvement in for-sale inventory levels compared with last year. . . \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>More homes on the market give buyers greater choice and, combined with improved buying power, expand the range of homes they can realistically consider.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>In other words, your search may feel very different this year.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>More fresh listings are hitting the market right now, and that’s creating real opportunity.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you put your search on hold last year, this Spring may be the time to jump back in. Let’s take a look at what just hit the market and see what could work for you.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260421\u002F20260422-There-Are-Nearly-original.png",[207,208],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},"2026-04-22T10:30:00Z","2026-04-22T10:30:17Z",{"id":212,"slug":213,"title":214,"description":215,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":216,"bannerImage":131,"body":217,"agentsBottomLine":218,"bodyImage":219,"isInfographic":137,"categories":220,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":224,"updatedAt":225},106543,"the-10-best-markets-for-first-time-buyers-this-spring","The 10 Best Markets for First-Time Buyers This Spring","\u003Cp>For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1179026119-original.png","\u003Cp>For a while, buying your \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F18\u002F3-must-dos-for-first-time-home-buyers\u002F\">first home\u003C\u002Fa> hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not because you weren’t \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>ready\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not because you weren’t \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>trying\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But because every time you ran the numbers, they \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>didn’t work\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>buyers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> like you an opening again – especially in some markets.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Zillow \u003C\u002Fem>just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10 (\u003Cem>see chart below\u003C\u002Fem>): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png\" alt=\"a table with white text and black text\">\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, in these top-ranked markets, median-income households can afford \u003Cstrong>68% of all homes for sale\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Let that sink in.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not long ago, it felt like you could barely afford \u003Cem>anything\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, you may actually have \u003Cem>some\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Cem>options \u003C\u002Fem>again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>That doesn’t mean every home is suddenly going to fit your budget. \u003C\u002Fstrong>But it does mean the door that felt closed for so many buyers is starting to crack back open. And in a number of cities, first-time \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">buyers\u003C\u002Fa> may finally be getting a shot at \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F25\u002Frenting-vs-buying-the-numbers-might-surprise-you\u002F\">buying\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why This Is Starting To Open Up\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>These cities are rising to the top not because of any one big change, but from a few smaller ones finally lining up. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>First-time buyers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>Affordability is still a challenge, but rising incomes, stabilizing prices and improving inventory are creating real opportunities in parts of the country. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>In the strongest markets for first-time buyers, they'll find more choices, less competition and a clearer path to homeownership than they've had in years\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Basically, three big things are working in your favor:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>More homes are hitting the market. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> says inventory is up \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fmarch-2026-data\u002F\">8.1%\u003C\u002Fa> compared to last year. That gives\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>you more choices, less pressure, and more chances to find a place that fits your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Price growth is moderating,\u003C\u002Fstrong> so homes aren’t moving further out of reach as quickly. Some may even be falling back within your target price point.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Incomes are rising.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If you make more money, that can offset some of the affordability challenges too.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>And even though mortgage rates have been higher lately, that combination can still make a difference. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at \u003Cem>First American\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>,\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.firstam.com\u002Feconomics\u002Faffordability-reached-best-level-since-2022-in-january%E2%80%8B\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Income growth has outpaced house price growth for 19 straight months, boosting house-buying power even as mortgage rates remain elevated.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How To Find the Opportunities in Your Local Market\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But what if your city didn’t make the top 10 list, or even the top 50 markets? Here’s what you really need to remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>There’s going to be opportunities in \u003Cem>every \u003C\u002Fem>market, if you know where to look.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Even in the same city, two buyers can have completely different experiences. And a big part of that is who they choose as their partner. The right agent knows how to find pockets of opportunity in \u003Cem>any \u003C\u002Fem>market. That could mean:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A neighborhood where prices haven’t climbed as quickly\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A part of town with more inventory, or\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fmove-up-buyers-are-choosing-new-construction\u002F\">new build\u003C\u002Fa> community offering incentives so builders can sell their inventory\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>So, even if your city didn’t make the list, that’s okay. There’s still an opening for you, you just need your agent to help you find it.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>For a long time, first-time buyers have felt stuck, waiting for their turn to buy. But for some buyers, this Spring might be the first time in a while where things start to feel more within reach again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Want to see which neighborhoods could give you the best shot at buying right now? Let’s talk.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260414\u002F20260420-Top-10-Markets-original.png",[221,222,223],{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},"2026-04-20T10:30:00Z","2026-04-14T20:25:26Z",{"id":227,"slug":228,"title":229,"description":230,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":231,"bannerImage":131,"body":232,"agentsBottomLine":233,"bodyImage":234,"isInfographic":137,"categories":235,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":239,"updatedAt":240},103353,"inventory-is-making-a-comeback-in-2026","Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026","\u003Cp>After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>According to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, the number of homes available for sale in January was the \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002FJanuary-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>highest\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> it’s been since 2020.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-Inventory-Is-Making-a-Comeback-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-Inventory-Is-Making-a-Comeback-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with numbers and a blue background\">\u003C\u002Fa>Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>When there are more homes for sale,\u003C\u002Fstrong> buyers gain time, options, and leverage.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>When there aren’t\u003C\u002Fstrong>, the pressure ramps up quickly.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>In the years since 2020, there weren’t enough homes for sale, and that made the market feel different. Rushed. Stressful. Intimidating.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But now it’s finally getting better.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>A Growing Portion of the Country Is Getting Back to Normal\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Depending on where you live, inventory growth is going to vary. Some places are bouncing back faster than others. According to Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of \u003Cem>ResiClub\u003C\u002Fem>, in January 2025, just a little over one year ago, only \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002Fp\u002F90-housing-markets-at-key-inventory-threshold-giving-homebuyers-some-relief\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">41\u003C\u002Fa> of the 200 largest metros were back to normal inventory-wise. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But around the end of year, \u003Cstrong>almost half (90) of the largest 200 metro areas\u003C\u002Fstrong> were back at or above typical levels. That’s a big improvement in roughly a year. And it’s not done yet. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Inventory Is Expected To Keep Growing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Looking ahead, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002Fp\u002Fhousing-market-inventory-forecast-2026-roundup\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">forecasts\u003C\u002Fa> suggest the number of homes for sale could rise \u003Cstrong>another 10% this year\u003C\u002Fstrong>, which means even more markets should join the list of places where supply has rebounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s a graph that shows what an extra 10% would do for the market this year. You can see that projected growth (\u003Cem>shown in the dotted line\u003C\u002Fem>) hits inventory levels seen in 2017-2019 by roughly this fall (\u003Cem>the gray lines\u003C\u002Fem>). That means we may reach normal by end of year, nationally:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-If-the-Number-of-Homes-for-Sale-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-If-the-Number-of-Homes-for-Sale-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of different colored lines\">\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And that changes your home search in a good way. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdecember-2025-hottest-housing-markets\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">puts it\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . . housing market conditions are gradually rebalancing after several years of extreme seller advantage. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Buyers are beginning to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves . . .\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In other words, the market is starting to work \u003Cem>with \u003C\u002Fem>buyers again — not \u003Cem>against \u003C\u002Fem>them\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, let’s talk.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260210\u002F20260211-Inventory-Is-Making-a-Comeback-original.png",[236,237,238],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},"2026-02-11T11:30:00Z","2026-02-11T11:30:26Z",{"id":242,"slug":243,"title":244,"description":245,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":246,"bannerImage":247,"body":248,"agentsBottomLine":249,"bodyImage":250,"isInfographic":137,"categories":251,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":258,"updatedAt":259},100879,"expert-forecasts-point-to-affordability-improving-in-2026","Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026","\u003Cp>Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260121\u002FSTM-Banner-20230606-Blog-original.jpg","\u003Cp>Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news? It’s finally happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In 2025, affordability was the best it’s been in 3 years. And experts agree the momentum will keep going in 2026. And that’s based on their analysis of the key factors shaping the housing market in the year ahead: mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Mortgage rates have already come down from their peak. By some counts, they dropped by almost a full percentage point over the course of the last year. And that’s a big deal, even if it doesn’t sound like it. But how low will they go? And should you wait for them to come down more? Here’s your answer. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fanniemae.com\u002Fmedia\u002F56531\u002Fdisplay\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Forecasts\u003C\u002Fa> suggest they’ll stay pretty much where they are now and hover in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fimg03.en25.com\u002FWeb\u002FMortgageBankersAssociation\u002F%7B420a7e33-3b04-4d80-8f42-8c9333766f98%7D_Mortgage_Finance_Forecast_Dec_2025.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">low 6%\u003C\u002Fa> range throughout 2026 (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Mortgage-Rates-Are-Expected-To-Hover-in-the-Low-6s-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Mortgage-Rates-Are-Expected-To-Hover-in-the-Low-6s-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with numbers and lines\">\u003C\u002Fa>Where they go from here really depends on what happens with the economy, the job market, and any changes in monetary policy the Fed makes in the year ahead. The important thing is, they’re already lower than they were just one year ago and that’s ideal if you’re planning a 2026 move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For buyers: \u003C\u002Fstrong>A lower rate reduces monthly payments and increases buying power. And, that combo helps more people qualify for homes that previously felt just out of reach.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For sellers:\u003C\u002Fstrong> It may be time to accept that rates in the 6s are the new normal. And if you need to move, it’s doable, especially with your equity.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Even More Options Are on the Way\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>In 2025, the number of homes for sale improved by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002F2026-national-housing-forecast\u002F#report\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">about 15%\u003C\u002Fa>. As inventory rose, buyers regained things they hadn’t had in years: options, time to consider those options, and negotiating leverage. That helped restore more balance to the housing market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Not to mention, the inventory gains are a big piece of what’s helped price growth slow down – which in turn improves affordability.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While the inventory gains this year aren’t expected to be as steep, experts at \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002F2026-national-housing-forecast\u002F#report\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">say\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cstrong>the supply of homes for sale should grow by another 8.9% this year.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For buyers: \u003C\u002Fstrong>That means even more choice and more negotiating power.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For sellers:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Pricing your house right will be essential to draw in buyers.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Home Price Growth Is Slowing to a More Sustainable Pace\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>With more homes for sale, there isn’t as much upward pressure on prices right now. And we’ve seen that shake out over the past year. Even so, the overwhelming majority of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fmagazine\u002Freal-estate-news\u002Feconomy\u002Fhousing-market-set-for-a-2026-comeback-nar-predicts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">experts\u003C\u002Fa> say, nationally, prices will continue rising in the year ahead – just at a slower pace. On average, they say \u003Cstrong>prices will rise by 1.6% in 2026\u003C\u002Fstrong> (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Expect-Moderate-Home-Price-Growth-in-2026-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Expect-Moderate-Home-Price-Growth-in-2026-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of increasing prices\">\u003C\u002Fa>And that's reassuring if you've been fed content on social media saying prices are going to come crashing down. But here’s what you need to remember most about this. It’s going to vary a lot by area.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So, lean on a local agent for the latest on what’s happening where you are. Some markets will see prices rise more than this. Others may see prices come down slightly. It really all depends on conditions in your local market\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But overall, prices will continue to rise at the national level. And that’s good for the market as a whole. As \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002F2026-national-housing-forecast\u002F#report\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">explains\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>For homebuyers and sellers, the shift signals a more balanced market\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>—one where price growth steadies, rate relief offers breathing room, and negotiating power tilts subtly toward buyers.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For buyers:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Expect more moderate price growth, not the sudden and intense spikes just a few short years ago. That gives you fewer surprises and more predictability, which makes budgeting a whole lot easier.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>For sellers:\u003C\u002Fstrong> This slower price growth restores balance without putting your \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F22\u002Fheadlines-have-you-worried-about-your-homes-value-read-this\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">equity\u003C\u002Fa> at risk. And that’s a win. \u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>More Homes Will Sell \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>All of this adds up to a better affordability equation in 2026. And that’s exactly why experts are saying we should see more homes sell (and more people buy) this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-More-Home-Will-Sell-in-2026-Than-the-Last-2-Years-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-More-Home-Will-Sell-in-2026-Than-the-Last-2-Years-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a graph showing the sales of a company\">\u003C\u002Fa>As Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, says:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and more consistent demand. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Each group should have a bit more breathing room in 2026\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>The bottom line is, more people are finally going to be able to make their move this year. So, the question is: will you be one of them? The market is giving you an opportunity you haven’t had in a while. Maybe it’s time to take advantage of it.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Affordability won't change suddenly overnight. But, with several key trends working together, it should slowly and steadily improve in the months ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s exactly why, in 2026, you should see a market with more balance, more predictability, and more breathing room than you’ve had in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Want more information about the opportunities unlocking in our local market?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Let’s chat.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260106\u002F20260108-Mortgage-Rates-Are-Expected-To-Hover-in-the-Low-6s-original.png",[252,253,254,255,256,257],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},"2026-01-08T14:04:00Z","2026-01-06T22:54:03Z",{"id":261,"slug":262,"title":263,"description":264,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":265,"bannerImage":131,"body":266,"agentsBottomLine":267,"bodyImage":268,"isInfographic":137,"categories":269,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":273,"updatedAt":274},99588,"why-selling-your-house-this-winter-gives-you-an-edge","Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Edge","\u003Cp>Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251209\u002F20251210-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F24\u002F4-reasons-your-house-is-high-on-every-buyers-wish-list-this-season\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">sell a house\u003C\u002Fa>. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Winter Is When Your Listing Stands Out\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>History shows the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the winter months. It’s a trend that’s predictable almost every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fnovember-2025-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Data\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> shows this pattern clearly. Inventory dips in the winter (\u003Cem>the green circles in the graph below\u003C\u002Fem>), then climbs again as soon as spring approaches:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251209\u002F20251210-The-Number-of-Homes-for-Sale-Usually-Dips-in-the-Winter-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251209\u002F20251210-The-Number-of-Homes-for-Sale-Usually-Dips-in-the-Winter-original.png\" alt=\"a graph with green circles and numbers\">\u003C\u002Fa>And based on the latest data available, it looks like that pattern may be true again in 2025. The graph shows the supply of homes for sale is starting to come down as we head into the end of the year. And if history is any indicator of where it goes next, it’ll continue to fall just like it usually does.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s why knowing this gives you an edge. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While inventory is higher now than it’s been in the last few years, there are still not as many homes for sale as there’d be in a normal market (2017-2019). And we may even be poised for inventory to dip a bit as the weather cools.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That gives you an opportunity. If you work with an agent to list now, you’ll sell while other homeowners are taking their homes off the market and before the number of homes for sale climbs this spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Less competition from other sellers now = more attention on your house this season.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Why wait until everyone else lists in the spring when you can get ahead of the crowd?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Winter Buyers Are Serious Buyers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Another big perk is the buyers looking right now usually \u003Cem>need\u003C\u002Fem> to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They’re not just browsing for fun. They’re relocating for work, dealing with a lease ending, making a big life change, or simply ready to move forward sooner rather than later. As \u003Cem>U.S. News\u003C\u002Fem> explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . . buyers who are trudging through wintry weather often have a good reason for being out in the cold – \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>they need to move.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> Whether it’s a relocation for a new job, a divorce or the arrival of a new baby, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>buyers who brave the elements are usually serious and able to make quick decisions.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>That means fewer weekend wanderers and more highly motivated, qualified buyers walking through your door.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And since we know inventory usually drops this time of year, odds are they’ll have a little less to choose from compared to the fall. If you price and prep your house right, maybe your house will be the one that catches their eye.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Winter might not get the same buzz as spring, but that’s exactly why it works in your favor. Less competition from other sellers, more motivated buyers, and a chance for your house to truly stand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re thinking about selling, this season can give you a real advantage. \u003Cstrong>Let’s connect and talk through what listing now could look like for you.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251209\u002F20251210-The-Number-of-Homes-for-Sale-Usually-Dips-in-the-Winter-original.png",[270,271,272],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2025-12-10T11:30:00Z","2025-12-10T11:30:27Z",{"id":276,"slug":277,"title":278,"description":279,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":280,"bannerImage":131,"body":281,"agentsBottomLine":282,"bodyImage":283,"isInfographic":137,"categories":284,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":289,"updatedAt":290},99162,"the-3-housing-market-questions-coming-up-at-every-gathering-this-season","The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season","\u003Cp>Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-Blog-Header-Image-original.png","\u003Cp>Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>1. “Will I even be able to find a home if I want to move?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Yes, more than you could a year or two ago.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The number of homes for sale has been rising over the past few years. According to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, there have been \u003Cstrong>more than one million homes on the market \u003C\u002Fstrong>for six straight months, something that hasn’t happened since 2019 (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-There-Are-More-Than-1-Million-Homes-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-There-Are-More-Than-1-Million-Homes-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a number of homes\">\u003C\u002Fa>That means two things:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Buyers have more options.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Sellers have more places they can move to next.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Many homeowners who held off are realizing the shelves aren’t bare anymore. So, if you hit pause on your home search last year because nothing fit your needs, it may be worth another look. With more homes on the market now, you’re not competing for the same handful of listings like you were a couple of years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And because there’s a bit more to choose from, homes aren’t disappearing the minute they hit the market. That gives buyers more space to breathe, more options to compare, and a little more time to make a confident decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>2. “Will I ever be able to afford a house?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Affordability is starting to improve. Finally.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It’s been a tough few years for buyers. But this year brought some much-needed good news:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Mortgage rates have been easing.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Home price growth has been moderating.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>That adds up to a monthly mortgage payment that’s hundreds of dollars lower than it would have been just a few months ago (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-Monthly-Mortgage-Payments-Are-Trending-Down-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-Monthly-Mortgage-Payments-Are-Trending-Down-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of blue rectangular bars\">\u003C\u002Fa>Buying still isn’t easy, but the numbers are starting to improve. For a lot of people, that means buying a home is becoming a more realistic goal again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>3. “Should I wait for prices to come down?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>A lot of people worry that the housing market is about to crash, but the data doesn’t point in that direction. Yes, the number of homes for sale has been rising, but it’s still nowhere near the level needed for prices to fall significantly on a national scale. On top of that, homeowners today have a lot of equity and are in a much stronger financial position than they were back in 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, every local market is a little different. Some areas are still seeing prices climb, while others that saw huge spikes a few years ago are leveling off or seeing small corrections. But overall, the national picture is clear: experts \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fanniemae.com\u002Fdata-and-insights\u002Fsurveys-indices\u002Fhome-price-expectations-survey-hpes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">surveyed\u003C\u002Fa> by \u003Cem>Fannie Mae\u003C\u002Fem> project home prices will keep rising, just at a slower, more normal pace (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-Home-Prices-Will-Rise-Modestly-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-Home-Prices-Will-Rise-Modestly-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of green rectangles\">\u003C\u002Fa>That’s why waiting for a major price drop to get a deal isn’t a very strategic plan. History shows the same thing over and over: people who spend time in the market tend to build the most long-term wealth, not the people who try to time the market perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Talk about the housing market can feel loud and confusing, especially when you’re hearing so many different takes. If you want to understand what these trends mean for your goals, let’s connect and walk through it together.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20251202\u002F20251203-There-Are-More-Than-1-Million-Homes-original.png",[285,286,287,288],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},"2025-12-03T11:30:00Z","2025-12-10T14:40:40Z",76,true]