REAL ESTATE • FEATURED
2026 Housing Market: Where Prices Are Still Climbing — and Where They're Falling
Elvera Breed
Real Estate Editor • Sep 1, 2026 • 7 min • Updated 2h ago
Median $412k, mortgage 6.8%, inventory +22% — the stalemate breaks. Sellers still control Austin and Miami, but buyers win in Denver, Seattle, Phoenix.
The Math at 6.8%
$400k loan, 30yr: $2,624/mo (vs $1,910 at 3.5%). Every 0.5% drop saves $115/mo — waiting for 6.0% could save $190. But rents up 4.1%, so waiting costs too.
| Metro | Median | YoY | Days on Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $542k | +2.1% | 48 |
| Denver | $598k | -1.4% | 67 |
| Miami | $621k | +3.2% | 38 |
Where to Buy Now
- Buyer leverage: Denver, Seattle, Portland — 67 DOM, 4% price cuts common, ask for seller concessions.
- Seller still wins: Miami, Austin, Raleigh — 38 DOM, bidding wars under $500k.
Elvera Tip
Get pre-underwritten, not just pre-approved — sellers take 11% discount for certainty. Lock rate for 60 days, but float down if rates drop 0.25%.
TAGS:#RealEstate2026#HousingMarket