By Sam Wax
Thinking about buying a house in 2026? You’re not alone. Many people include “buying a house” among their New Year’s Resolutions, which helps them get started. But is 2026 a good year to buy?
Monthly Payments
The best news for consumers and prospective buyers in 2026 is that availability forecasts look to signal a downturn in monthly payments. For the first time since 2022, the median monthly payment is expected to be below 30% of the affordability threshold. For a buyer in a median-income area, this 1.3% year-over-year decrease in monthly payments reduces the portion of their paycheck they’ll need to put toward their mortgage, giving them more purchasing power.
30-Year Rates
While 30-year mortgage rates are still high compared to earlier in the decade, the trend over the past few months has been a steady decline. On January 16, 2025, the 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average was 7.04. Since then, that rate has steadily dropped, ending 2025 at 6.15, and there is hope that these average rates dip below 6%.
Buyers vs. Sellers
At the beginning of the decade, many in the housing market noticed a stark imbalance between buyers and sellers. The enormous excess of buyers led to limited supply, resulting in aggressive bidding wars and many paying far more than necessary for their homes. These concerns have leveled off, with the number of sellers increasing over the past year and the number of buyers decreasing. With this rise in supply, buyers now have more purchasing power and a better chance to negotiate for their dream home.
Location
Location is a significant factor in whether housing prices might drop. Several metro areas could see year-over-year home price declines in 2026, with four of the top decreases in Florida:
- Cape Coral–Fort Myers
- North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton
- Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach
- Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater
If you’re a potential customer in Florida or someone looking for their next place to move, the sunny beaches and amazing amusement parks, combined with sharp year-over-year home price declines, create the perfect environment to buy your next home, raise a family, or retire.
2026 Home Prices
One thing that might discourage customers from buying a house in 2026 is that home prices will continue to rise throughout the year. Even though sites like Zillow (1.2%) and Fannie Mae (1.3%) show home prices increasing by more than 1%, these are gradual changes, making this year different from the last few years of uncertainty.
Conclusion
For most people, buying a house in 2026 is the right decision. Ultimately, this significant financial choice depends on many factors, including your job, family situation, location, and current purchasing power. However, since the market has been as calm as it has since the COVID-19 pandemic, buyers will likely have more control as they head into the new year, in an effort to secure their dream home.
Whether you are a first-time buyer or looking to refinance, My Easy Mortgage, a reputable mortgage broker located at 2405 Creel Lane, STE 102, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544, and 16703 Early Riser Ave, Suite 266, Land O’Lakes, FL 34638, has a team of experienced professionals who can guide you through the process. Contact them at (813) 513-9846 to discuss your mortgage needs.
