If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while. If you live in the Chicago area or are planning a move there, that matters even more.
After a stretch where many buyers and sellers across Chicago felt stuck by limited options and higher rates, 2026 is shaping up to bring more balance, more inventory, and clearer opportunities. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are finally starting to shift in a healthier direction.
National trends are improving, but how they show up in Chicago will shape your real decisions. That’s why understanding both the big picture and your local market is what helps turn optimism into smart action.
Here’s what the experts are saying you have to look forward to.
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:
“After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.”
The National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open up the housing market . . . something the real estate industry and potential home buyers and sellers have been waiting for, following three years of stagnation.”
Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:
“. . . for the first time in several years, the underlying forces are finally aligned toward gradual improvement. Mortgage rates may drift down only slowly, but income growth exceeding house price appreciation will provide a boost to house-buying power — even in a higher-rate world. Affordability won’t snap back overnight, but like a ship finally catching a steady tailwind, it’s now sailing in the right direction.”
Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow:
“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.”
Why Local Insight Matters More Than Ever
Just remember, while the national outlook is improving, conditions will still vary by location. Some markets will move faster than others. Some will see stronger price growth. Others will remain flat. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:
“Market performance will hinge on local economic conditions, making 2026 one of the most geographically divided markets we’ve seen in years.”
That’s why understanding what’s happening in your specific area is key. The national trends set the stage, but local dynamics determine how they play out for you. And that’s why you need an agent.
What This Means for Your Chicago Real Estate Plans
2026 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity, but the real advantage lies in understanding how these trends apply right here in Chicago. National forecasts set the tone, but local pricing, inventory, and demand determine your actual results.
That’s where working with experienced Chicago real estate agents and brokers makes the difference. A strong real estate agency doesn’t just follow headlines. They translate market shifts into a strategy that aligns with your goals, timing, and neighborhood.
If you want to understand how these changes affect buying or selling, let’s connect. With the right real estate agent guiding you, optimism turns into confident decisions and real progress.
