Story perspectives

2026 Housing Market Shift: Buyers Gain Leverage, Affordability Rises

10/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

By 2026, Michael Grunbaum, a builder and real estate expert, foresees a U.S. housing market shift driven by declining mortgage rates and higher inventory.
Buyers will regain leverage, and affordability will improve relative to the challenges of 2022–2024.
The market will reward patience and negotiation, moving away from 2021 bidding wars.
Grunbaum says sellers should adjust expectations and pricing as 2026 becomes a transitional year requiring informed decisions.

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Story summary

By 2026, Michael Grunbaum, a builder and real estate expert, foresees a U.S. housing market shift driven by declining mortgage rates and higher inventory.
Buyers will regain leverage, and affordability will improve relative to the challenges of 2022–2024.
The market will reward patience and negotiation, moving away from 2021 bidding wars.
Grunbaum says sellers should adjust expectations and pricing as 2026 becomes a transitional year requiring informed decisions.