The 3 Housing Market Questions Everyone’s Asking This Season

It doesn’t matter if you’re at a family get-together, your company holiday party, or catching up with friends over coffee — somehow the housing market always sneaks into the conversation. And honestly? With everything happening right now, it’s no surprise people are curious.

Here are the three questions coming up the most this season — along with clear, simple insights to help you feel more grounded in what’s really going on in the market.

1. “Can I even find a home if I’m thinking about moving?”

Surprisingly… yes. And more easily than a year or two ago.

Inventory has been quietly building for months. In fact, Realtor.com reports that we’ve had over one million homes on the market for six straight months — something we haven’t seen since 2019.

What does that mean for you?

• Buyers have more choices than they used to.

• Sellers have more realistic options for where they can go next.

If you put your search on hold because the pickings were slim, now might be the time to take another look. Homes aren’t flying off the market within hours like they were two years ago. With a bit more breathing room, buyers can compare options, think things through, and make decisions without feeling rushed.

2. “Will I ever be able to afford a home?”

Affordability is finally — finally — showing signs of life again.

After several tough years for buyers, we’re seeing a meaningful shift:

• Mortgage rates have been easing downward.

• Home price growth is slowing and normalizing.

Together, those changes can knock hundreds of dollars off a typical monthly mortgage payment compared to earlier this year.

Is buying suddenly “easy”? Not necessarily. But the trend is moving in the right direction — and for many people, it’s making homeownership feel achievable again rather than out of reach.

3. “Should I just wait for prices to crash?”

Short answer: Don’t count on it.

Yes, inventory is rising, but not anywhere near the level needed to push prices down dramatically nationwide. Add in the fact that today’s homeowners have far more equity and stronger financial footing than they did during the 2008 crisis, and the crash theory starts to fall apart.

Local markets vary, of course:

• Some areas are still seeing steady appreciation.

• Others that overheated early in the pandemic are leveling out or seeing minor corrections.

But nationally? Fannie Mae’s surveyed experts project home prices will continue to rise — just at a slower, more normal pace.

Trying to “wait for the dip” usually ends up costing buyers more in the long run. History consistently shows that the people who win in real estate aren’t the ones who try to time the perfect moment — they’re the ones who stay in the market long enough to let the investment work for them.

Bottom Line

There’s a lot of noise around housing right now, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed or second-guess your next move. But real estate isn’t one-size-fits-all — your local market, your goals, and your timeline matter.

When you’re ready to get clarity and talk through your options, connecting with a trusted local agent can make all the difference.