January 2026 Arrives with A Sense of Renewal Across New York

January 2026 Arrives with A Sense of Renewal Across New York

January 2026 Arrives with A Sense of Renewal Across New York

 
As we begin 2026, I want to start by saying thank you.
 
My business is built on long-standing relationships, trust, and referrals, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who worked with us, supported us, or followed along over the past year. Real estate is personal. It’s about timing, transitions, and major life moments, and it’s a privilege each time someone chooses to place that trust in us.
 
With the new year underway, many people are asking the same question: What does the housing market look like heading into 2026?
 
That’s why we’ve put together our 2026 Housing Market Outlook to help make sense of a market that hasn’t always been easy to interpret.
 
After four years of pandemic-driven extremes, including frozen migration patterns, volatile mortgage rates, affordability pressures, and uneven inventory, the housing market is entering a new phase. 2026 marks a step toward normal. Buyers and sellers alike are recalibrating expectations, mobility is slowly returning, and many of the unusual dynamics of the early 2020s are beginning to fade.
 
As this next era takes shape, here are four key signals we’re watching closely in 2026:
  • Inventory: Nationally, the number of homes coming to market is expected to grow by approximately 10 percent, giving buyers more choice and helping relieve some affordability pressure.
  • Home Prices: Prices are projected to rise modestly, around 0.5 percent, while incomes are expected to grow faster. This combination supports improved affordability.
  • Mortgage Rates: Rates are forecast to trade in a 5.9 percent to 6.9 percent range, averaging roughly 6.4 percent for the year, offering a more stable and predictable financing environment.
  • Home Sales: Total home sales could reach approximately 4.25 million, a 5 percent increase from 2025, as improving conditions bring more buyers back into the market.

While national trends provide helpful context, real estate remains highly local, especially here in New York City. Well-positioned homes continue to attract strong interest, and opportunities exist for buyers and sellers who are informed, prepared, and well advised.

Whether you’re actively planning a move, quietly exploring possibilities, or simply want a clearer pulse on the market, our team is always here as a resource. If you’d like to talk through goals, timing, or strategy, now or months from now, I’m always happy to connect.

Here’s to a healthy, optimistic start to 2026 and to new opportunities ahead.

All My Best — Gerald

Germany + Sears Team

Compass | New York City

 

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