Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.

So, it’s understandable if you've been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that's already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data.

Housing Market Uncertainty? It’s More Stable Than You Think

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Feel like everything has been a little unpredictable lately? The housing market may actually be one of the more stable things out there. Home prices have been relatively steady, housing inventory is close to where it was last year, and mortgage rates have stayed in roughly the same 6% to 7% range since late 2022. If you’ve been waiting for the market to “settle down” before buying or selling, it may already be there. That stability can make it easier to plan your next move with a little more confidence.

Transcript

Feel like everything's been a little stressful or uncertain lately? A lot of people do.

But there's one place that's been surprisingly stable – the housing market. Just look at the last few years. Home prices? Pretty steady for the past four or so years.

The number of homes for sale? Right about where it was last year. We’re up two percent right now.

And mortgage rates? They've held in the same general six to seven percent range since late twenty-twenty-two. So, if you've been waiting for things to settle down before you make a move... they already have.

Despite everything going on in the world, the housing market’s on pretty steady ground.

So, if you want to move, you don’t necessarily have to wait. That predictability can actually help with your planning. Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let's talk about it.

Home Prices Have Leveled Out

After years of fast increases, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows home prices have been remarkably steady for the past 4 years (see graph below):

And experts say that's what to expect going forward, too. As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, explains:

"In 2026, we expect home prices to remain broadly stable, with modest appreciation at a national level."

No wild swings. Just slow, steady growth. That's a healthy market. Of course, that pace can vary a bit depending on where you live. But nationally, steady growth like this makes it easier to plan your budget, whether you’re buying or selling.

The Supply of Homes for Sale Has Steadied

For years, the supply of homes for sale was a moving target. It dropped fast during the pandemic and has been climbing pretty reliably ever since. Now, that pace of growth has slowed down. According to Realtor.com, inventory today is very close to where it was this time last year (see graph below): 

That’s helpful no matter which side you’re on. When the number of homes for sale isn’t changing much, you know what you’re walking into – how many options you’ll have as a buyer, and how much competition you’ll face as a seller.

Mortgage Rates Found Their Range

Yes, rates jumped dramatically back in 2022. But since then, Freddie Mac data shows they've stayed between 6% and 7% for the better part of the last 3 or so years (see graph below):

Yes, there was one brief spike above that threshold, but overall, rates have stayed in that range for a while now. That predictability helps when you’re planning a move. 

And now that this seems to be a longer-term trend, people have accepted it as the new normal. Buyers have gotten comfortable purchasing in that range, and sellers have gotten just as comfortable listing in it.

That comfort’s important because when both sides know what to expect, they keep making moves. In other words, the market isn't frozen waiting for something to change. It's moving calmly.

Bottom Line

The rest of the world may feel unpredictable right now, but the housing market doesn't have to. Prices, inventory, and rates have all found solid ground.

If stability is what you've been waiting for, it's already here. Let’s connect if you want to talk through what that means for your move.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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• For Buyers (456)
• For Sellers (325)
• Home Prices (107)
• Mortgage Rates (94)
• Inventory (66)