$\"What$ \n

If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you\u2019re not the only one. Mortgage rates stayed higher than people wanted. Affordability remained tight. And uncertainty overseas added another layer of pressure nobody saw coming.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why so many people are asking the same question: Will the second half of the year be any better for the housing market?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

While nobody has a crystal ball, there are a few encouraging signs things could start moving in a better direction.<\/strong> Here\u2019s what to watch.<\/p>\n

Mortgage Rates Could Be Near a Turning Point\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
One of the biggest reasons mortgage rates haven\u2019t come down yet is inflation<\/a>. And higher energy prices and uncertainty overseas are at least part of the reason inflation is still elevated. The encouraging news?<\/p>\n
Oil prices have already started coming back down.<\/strong><\/p>\n
That may not sound like it has much to do with buying a home. But historically, mortgage rates<\/a> and oil prices<\/a> tend to move in the same direction.<\/p>\n
Take a look at the graph below. Generally, they rise and fall together. Both went up in February when the conflict began. While there\u2019s been some volatility lately, experts at the U.S. Energy Information Administration<\/em> (EIA) say oil prices are forecast<\/a> to come down.\u00a0And since\u00a0oil prices have been on an overall downward trend lately, mortgage rates could come down too:<\/p>\n
$\"a$ <\/p>\n
It\u2019s too soon to say exactly when that will happen (or by how much they\u2019ll fall), but if energy prices go down, inflation cools off, and tensions overseas ease, mortgage rates could come down in the second half of the year.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s good news for anyone thinking about moving. The first half of the year tested everyone\u2019s patience. The second half may finally reward it.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Home Prices Could Pick Back Up<\/strong><\/h4>\nA lot of people want home prices<\/a> to fall too. But that\u2019s not what most forecasts<\/a> show.<\/p>\n
While price trends are going to vary by area, and some places are seeing mild declines, experts<\/a> still expect home prices to net positive this year at the national level.<\/p>\n
In fact, they\u2019re projecting prices will rise by an average of 2.3% in 2026 <\/strong>(see graph below<\/em>):<\/p>\n
$\"a$ <\/p>\n
What does that mean for you? Right now, *Federal Housing Finance Agency <\/em>(FHFA)**data<\/a> shows prices are up about 1.7% nationally year-over-year. The average forecast for all of 2026? 2.3%.<\/p>\n*
Based on those projections, home price growth would have to pick up a bit during the second half of the year. <\/strong>Nothing dramatic, just enough to finish the year around that projected 2.3% gain.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s why that\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n
The number of homes for sale has grown, but that growth may be starting to slow down<\/a>. And if rates improve, more buyers could jump back into the market. More buyers competing could put modest upward pressure on prices, especially if inventory\u2019s not growing as fast.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why buyers shouldn\u2019t assume waiting will guarantee a lower price later. And for sellers, that\u2019s great news if you\u2019ve been worried about your home\u2019s value.<\/p>\n
More Homes Are Expected To Sell<\/strong><\/h4>\nIf you\u2019ve been wondering why the housing market has felt quieter<\/a> lately, you\u2019re not imagining it. Home sales have been slower than many experts expected. But that doesn\u2019t mean people have stopped wanting to move.<\/p>\n
A lot of people still want or need to make a change. They\u2019ve just been waiting for more certainty, better affordability, or a clearer read on where the market is headed. And early signs show that may be on the horizon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If rates ease and confidence improves, more people may finally move. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American<\/em>, explains:<\/p>\n
\n
\u201c<\/em>Overall, we expect pent-up demand to continue emerging gradually. <\/em><\/strong>But the pace of recovery will vary significantly across markets and will depend on the path of rates, labor market conditions and inventory growth.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Based on the latest forecasts, to hit the number of sales<\/a> expected this year, here\u2019s what would have to happen. T<\/strong>he second half of the year would need to outperform the first in sales<\/a> (see graph below<\/em>):<\/p>\n
$\"a$ <\/p>\n
In fact, each month for the rest of 2026 would have to come close to matching the best month we\u2019ve had so far this year (May). That\u2019s a sign the experts are calling for more momentum headed into the second half.<\/p>\n
More people will finally make their move happen \u2013 and you\u2019ve got the chance to be one of them.<\/p>\n
Bottom Line<\/h3>\n
The second half of the year probably won\u2019t be perfect. But it could be better.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Mortgage rates may ease. Home sales could pick up. And prices are expected to continue rising at a healthier, more sustainable pace. If you\u2019ve been waiting for signs of progress, this is it.<\/p>\n
If you want to understand what these forecasts mean for your plans and what\u2019s happening in your local market, connect with an agent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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