Navigating the current housing market has become even more challenging for buyers, with monthly payments now reaching $2,600 by late Q3—the highest in over a year. As a real estate professional with a background in both banking and commercial real estate, I see firsthand how a steady median home-sale price of around $399,000 (up about 2% from last year) is adding to the affordability squeeze and keeping pending sales steady month-over-month but lower than last year.
Mortgage-purchase applications have dipped slightly, and while new listings typically slow around the holidays, this year’s listings still edged out the same period in 2025. Seller strategy is more important than ever: about 21% of active listings made price cuts, confirming what I often advise my clients—thoughtful pricing attracts interest, while overpricing tends to hold buyers back. Inventory has also seen a slight yearly gain, with 1.5 million homes on the market and about four months of supply, though we’re still not at a truly balanced market.
In times like these, understanding value and market dynamics is crucial—whether you’re preparing to buy or sell.
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