If you're planning to move in 2026, more factors are lining up in your favor than they have in years.

After a period when a lot of people felt stuck, 2026 is starting to look like a year of more balance, clearer choices, and better clarity for anyone thinking about moving. Not because the market has become “easy,” but because several important factors are changing.

Here’s what the experts say you can look forward to.

Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com:

“ “After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.”
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— Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:

“ “Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open up the housing market . . . something the real estate industry and potential home buyers and sellers have been waiting for, following three years of stagnation.”
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— The National Association of Realtors (NAR)

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

““. . . for the first time in several years, the underlying forces are finally aligned toward gradual improvement. Mortgage rates may drift down only slowly, but income growth exceeding house price appreciation will provide a boost to house-buying power — even in a higher-rate world. Affordability won’t snap back overnight, but like a ship finally catching a steady tailwind, it’s now sailing in the right direction.”
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— Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American

Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow:

““Buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and more consistent demand. Each group should have a bit more breathing room in 2026.”
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— Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow:

Why Local Insight Matters More Than Ever

Keep in mind that even though the national picture is getting better, your local market may feel different. Some areas will pick up speed, some will see bigger price gains, and others may stay flat. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:

““Market performance will hinge on local economic conditions, making 2026 one of the most geographically divided markets we’ve seen in years.”
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— Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS

That’s why it’s important to know what’s happening right in your neighborhood. National trends give the big picture, but local factors decide how they actually affect you — and that’s where a good agent comes in.