Zillow

As we look ahead to 2026, Zillow economists see a housing market that’s slowly but meaningfully regaining its balance. Our latest outlook breaks down what to expect next year, including modest home value growth, mortgage rates holding above 6% and the rise of inflation-savvy home features as tighter budgets reshape buyer preferences. But those are just three of the predictions. We also cover what’s next for sales volume, rent affordability, new construction, lifestyle renters, AI’s growing role in transactions and more. 📊 Dive into the full forecast and explore the full set of trends shaping 2026: https://zlw.re/3MJ8tIM Curious what this means for your market? Your business? Your buyers or sellers? Drop your questions. Our economists will be watching the comments.

Our Zillow 2026 forecast is out. The housing market is 'finally' settling into a healthier state, with buyers and sellers starting to return. 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. Key takeaways: 1. On the heels of a year of small wins for home buyers — slight affordability gains and buyer-friendly conditions in 19 major markets — home buyers and sellers can expect a modest rise in home values, a few more sales and mortgage rates holding above 6%. Many apartment renters should look forward to some affordability relief, as well. 2. In aggregate, home values are forecast to rise 1.2% in the coming year, with the number of major markets experiencing annual price declines projected to fall from 24 markets (this year) to 12 next year. 3. And for renters, affordability is expected to improve in 2026, with multifamily rents forecast to rise just 0.3%. You can read full note here: https://lnkd.in/gEJkbb8K

Zillow's Chief Economist, Mischa Fisher, on what brought him to Zillow and why he loves his job (and Aunt Marjorie's shortbread cookies 🤤)

Rent growth continues to cool, but affordability is still tougher than before the pandemic. Here are the highlights from Zillow’s latest Rental Market Report: • Nationwide relief: Incomes grew faster than rents this year, easing pressure for many renters • Typical rent: $1,949 (still 35.6% higher than before the pandemic) • Concessions surge: Nearly 2 in 5 rentals now offer freebies to attract tenants (the highest October share on record) • Not universal: Only 37 of the 50 largest metros saw incomes outpace rent growth (meaning affordability worsened in several big markets) ➕ Where affordability is improving most: Austin, Denver, San Antonio and Phoenix. 📈 Where rents are rising faster than incomes: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cleveland. 🎁 Where concessions are becoming the norm: Denver, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Orlando. Our take: Softening rent growth and income gains are finally improving affordability, but only a little. Freebies from housing providers are more common than ever with lots of new units on the market, and they’ll likely climb further as winter demand cools. The real reset may come in 2026 as construction completions continue to ebb and rents begin to find a new floor. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g5HdgVuy

Check out this month's newsletter🍂 Key takeaways: • Buyers: Easing rates means improved affordability. Get pre-approved and be ready to act. • Sellers: Price your property competitively; buyers are making offers. • Renters: Cooling rent growth means a little breathing room. Shop and negotiate. • Agents: The typical holiday slowdown isn’t guaranteed. Stay active — clients are.

Whether she's climbing mountains or house hunting, Alison Levine knows the right guide makes all the difference 💙

Fall is usually when the housing market winds down. But this October, lower mortgage rates sparked the strongest fall market in years. Here are some highlights from Zillow’s latest Housing Market Report: • Affordability hit a three-year high as mortgage payments fell 1.8% from last year • New listings rose 5% year over year (an unusual October surge) • Newly pending sales increased 5% year over year, holding steady instead of dipping seasonally • Inventory rose 12.8% vs. last fall, now just 17% below pre-pandemic norms (the smallest deficit since March 2020) • 30-year mortgage rate averaged 6.25%, the lowest in more than a year 🏡 Where buyers have the biggest edge: Miami, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and New Orleans. 📈 Where sellers hold the strongest advantage: Hartford, San Francisco, New York, San Jose and Providence. Our take: A rare rate reprieve created a fall flurry, motivating both buyers and sellers at a time when activity usually cools. More inventory, less frenzy and slightly better affordability opened a short-lived window of opportunity. Whether it lasts into winter depends on where rates go next. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gC4Ac-rT

October isn’t supposed to look like this. Seasonality said the market should cool. Affordability said otherwise. Lower rates gave buyers more room and sellers responded. As a result, the market heated up with new listings and pending sales each climbing 5%. In other words, we are in a rare fall flurry, powered by a little relief in monthly payments. Read more: https://zlw.re/48c2g0F

Many people know Zillow as a place to find homes. Fewer realize it’s also a place to understand what you can afford … and even get a home loan. With affordability top of mind for so many buyers, Zillow Home Loans has introduced new tools to bring more clarity to the early stages of the journey: ✔️ BuyAbility, which shows your personalized home price range in real time ✔️ Verified Pre-Approval, so you know what you’re actually approved to borrow (with a soft credit check that won’t affect your score) ✔️ A more transparent mortgage rates experience to make comparison easier Together, these updates help bridge the gap between finding a home and financing it, making one of life’s biggest milestones a little simpler. See the full breakdown here: https://zlw.re/4p6FKfu