Should I buy a home in 2026?

🏡 Why 2026 May Be the Smartest Time to Buy a Home in Years

If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, wondering “Should I buy now… or wait?” — you’re not alone.

After years of rising rates, tight inventory, and affordability challenges, 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for homebuyers, according to a recent November housing forecast from Redfin.

This isn’t about chasing the “perfect” market. It’s about recognizing when conditions quietly start working in a buyer’s favor — and that’s exactly what many experts believe 2026 will deliver.

📉 Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Ease

While no one has a crystal ball, Redfin forecasts suggest mortgage rates could gradually settle into the low-6% range in 2026. That may not sound dramatic — but even a small drop in rates can mean hundreds of dollars per month in buying power.

For buyers, this creates opportunity:

• More predictable monthly payments

• Better long-term refinancing options

• Less pressure to “panic buy”

💰 Affordability Is Finally Improving

Here’s one of the most important shifts: income growth is expected to outpace home-price growth.

That hasn’t happened consistently since before the pandemic.

What does that mean for buyers?

• Homes become more attainable without stretching finances

• Less competition from over-leveraged buyers

• More room to negotiate on price or terms

In short: your money goes further.

🏘️ More Inventory = More Choice

As mortgage rates stabilize, many homeowners who’ve been “locked in” to low rates are expected to finally list their homes. Redfin predicts a modest increase in home sales activity in 2026, which usually means:

• More listings to choose from

• Fewer bidding wars

• Less pressure to waive inspections or protections

That’s a huge shift from the frenzy buyers faced just a few years ago.

🔄 The “Great Housing Reset”

Redfin calls this moment the “Great Housing Reset.”

Not a crash.Not a boom.But a return to a more balanced, rational market — where buyers can:

• Take their time

• Ask smart questions

• Make confident, informed decisions

For many buyers, especially in areas like Atlanta, Marietta, East Cobb, and the surrounding suburbs, that balance is exactly what’s been missing.

🧭 So… Is 2026 Your Year?

Every buyer’s situation is different — but if you’ve been waiting for:

• Less chaos

• Better negotiating power

• A market that rewards patience and planning

2026 may be the year those pieces finally come together.

If you’d like help understanding how these national trends translate specifically to the Atlanta or Marietta market — I’m always happy to walk through your options and timing.