Is this a good year to buy a home? Pros and Cons.

So, Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy?

Short answer: It depends on your situation — but for many buyers, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more balanced housing years in recent cycles.

🟢 Reasons 2026 Could Be a Good Time

• Affordability pressures may ease as price growth slows and mortgage rates flatten or ease.

• More homes could be available in markets where inventory is recovering, giving buyers more choices.

• First-time buyers especially may find opportunity, with demand leveling off.

🔴 Challenges Still in Place

• Prices are not expected to collapse — so if you wait for a big drop, you might miss out and keep paying rising rent costs instead.

• Local conditions vary a lot — some metro markets remain tight and expensive.

• Mortgage rates are projected to stay above historical lows, so borrowing costs will still matter a lot.