Go past the mega-mergers and lawsuits, and dig deep into the stats and trends that will inform your real estate business in 2026.
While 2025 was full of big stories about mega-mergers, lawsuits and even true crime, the tea leaves we’re reading while planning for the year ahead often came from stats on the market, consumer behavior and business planning. Here are five stories you might have missed this year that offer an opportunity to make your own predictions about where the real estate market is headed in 2026 — and how you’ll prepare for it.
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As consumers tap AI tools like ChatGPT for housing market insights, a Realtor.com survey shows they still lean into agent advice and expertise. This story looks at the shift in where consumers get their information and the ongoing debate about what role AI tools should play in an agent’s tech arsenal — without replacing the agents themselves.
Affordability and a tendency for older Americans to hold on to large family homes instead of downsizing have pushed the number of first-time homebuyers to a historic low, while the median first-time buyer age has climbed to 40. This story looks at what that shift means for the long-term health of the real estate market and how it will impact the ability of millennial and Gen Z consumers to build generational wealth.
After years of price escalation, 2025 saw a slowdown in price increases, with some markets experiencing declines. For buyers and sellers, agents and investors, this may present a pivot point that changes the market moving forward into 2026 — making affordability a possibility for the first time since the pre-pandemic era.
Even the holidays couldn’t slow down bargain-hunting buyers who took advantage of an opportunity to grab a lower-than-usual mortgage rate. Despite other market headwinds, the boost was proof that interest rates can drive buyers, even during otherwise slow seasons, and provided a positive potential indicator for upcoming spring activity.
Flashy listings and social media stardom are the hallmarks of a successful marketing plan, but in tough markets and under adverse economic conditions, long-term growth comes from a careful understanding of metrics and KPIs. While you keep one eye on the future, this article reminds you that looking back to see what works is the best way to make your planning bulletproof.
