What To Expect from the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2026
If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you’re not the only one. Mortgage rates stayed higher than people wanted. Affordability remained tight. And uncertainty overseas added another layer of pressure nobody saw coming. That’s why so many people are asking the same question: Will the second half of the year be any better for the housing market? While nobody has a crystal ball, there are a few encouraging signs things could start moving in a better direction . Here’s what to watch. Mortgage Rates Could Be Near a Turning Point One of the biggest reasons mortgage rates haven’t come down yet is inflation . And higher energy prices and uncertainty overseas are at least part of the reason inflation is still elevated. The encouraging news? Oil prices have already started coming back down. That may not sound like it has much to do with buying a home. But historically, mortgage rates and oil prices tend to move in the same direction. Take a look at the graph below. ...
