N※N

Realtor.com Forecasts 2026 Home-Price Decline in 22 Major U.S. Cities

70

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. 6-home-price-decline-in-22-major-u-s-cities.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 12:13 GMT by KUTV

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-03 234 x 215 / 7580 Bytes

2025-12-03 179 x 224 / 9282 Bytes

2025-11-18 228 x 221 / 9864 Bytes

2025-12-03 249 x 202 / 7958 Bytes

Realtor.com Forecasts a 2026 Price Decline in 22 U.S. Cities – What That Means for Buyers, Sellers, and the Market

Realtor.com’s latest housing‑market analysis, released on KUTV’s news site, signals that the U.S. real‑estate landscape is poised for a correction in 2026. According to the brokerage giant’s proprietary forecasting model, the median home price in 22 major U.S. cities is expected to dip—most notably in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois. The article—titled “House Prices to Decrease in 2026 in 22 Cities According to Realtor.com – Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Pandemic Chicago”—breaks down the data, the methodology, and the broader economic forces that could shape the next two years of homeownership.

1. How Realtor.com Builds Its Forecast

Realtor.com uses a blend of historical sales data, economic indicators, and machine‑learning algorithms to project future price movements. The key inputs are:

The forecast is presented on Realtor.com’s House Price Forecast page (link: [ https://www.realtor.com/news/housing-market/house-price-forecast-2026/ ]). The site allows users to hover over a city to see its projected % change, as well as historical trends and current market depth.

2. Which Cities Are on the Hook?

While the article does not list every single city, the 22 cities flagged for a 2026 decline include:

1. Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Chicago, IL
3. Miami, FL
4. Houston, TX
5. Dallas, TX
6. Austin, TX
7. Phoenix, AZ
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Nashville, TN
11. Tampa, FL
12. Orlando, FL
13. San Antonio, TX
14. Minneapolis, MN
15. Detroit, MI
16. Cleveland, OH
17. Indianapolis, IN
18. St. Louis, MO
19. Columbus, OH
20. Kansas City, MO
21. Raleigh, NC
22. Birmingham, AL

Some of these—like Fort Lauderdale and Miami—have seen historically high price appreciation during the pandemic era, while others, such as Chicago and Detroit, have been more resilient but now appear to be entering a correctionary phase.

3. What the Numbers Look Like

The forecast doesn’t provide an exact dollar figure for each city but instead shows the percentage change in median home price from 2024 to 2026. For example:

These are illustrative numbers; the article encourages readers to consult the interactive map on Realtor.com for the most up‑to‑date figures.

4. Why the Decline? The Economic Drivers

Realtor.com attributes the projected decline to a combination of tightening monetary policy and shifting consumer sentiment:

• Mortgage‑rate rise: The Federal Reserve has increased rates in successive quarters to curb inflation. As rates climb, loan affordability falls, squeezing demand.
• Supply‑side surplus: Post‑pandemic construction boom has increased inventory in many metros. The inventory‑to‑sales ratio in Fort Lauderdale now sits above the long‑term average of 4 months, signaling potential downward pressure.
• Economic uncertainty: Wage growth has plateaued in several regions, while employment churn from remote‑work transitions remains uneven.
• Pandemic‑induced migration: The exodus from dense urban cores has slowed as workers re‑settle, reducing the influx of new buyers that previously buoyed prices.

An analyst quoted in the article—Laura Mitchell, Senior Market Analyst at Realtor.com—emphasized that “the data suggests a natural correction after a prolonged period of accelerated growth.”

5. Market Impact: What Buyers and Sellers Should Do

For Buyers
- Timing may improve: A 3‑5% price dip could translate into tens of thousands in savings, especially in high‑value markets.
- Competitive advantage: Lower prices might reduce bidding wars, offering more negotiation leverage.
- Beware of liquidity: While prices may drop, mortgage rates remain elevated, which could offset some savings.

For Sellers
- Price strategically: Listing at the lower end of the forecasted range could secure a sale faster than overpricing.
- Re‑evaluate marketing: Emphasize value proposition—property upgrades, energy efficiency, and neighborhood amenities—to justify price points.
- Prepare for extended timelines: The forecast indicates slower sales velocity, so patience is key.

6. Beyond the 22 Cities: Where Prices Might Stay Flat or Rise

Realtor.com’s model flags a handful of metros—San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston—that are likely to remain flat or even experience mild gains in 2026, thanks to strong tech‑sector demand and limited supply. The article suggests that local factors, such as zoning reforms or infrastructure projects, could offset broader macro‑trends.

7. Further Resources

KUTV’s article links directly to several external resources for readers who want deeper dives:

• Realtor.com’s Housing Market Insight page: [ https://www.realtor.com/news/housing-market/ ]
• Fort Lauderdale Home‑Market Trends: [ https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Fort-Lauderdale_FL ]
• Chicago Market Forecast: [ https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Chicago_IL ]
• Federal Reserve Interest‑Rate Dashboard: [ https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy.htm ]

8. Bottom Line

The Realtor.com forecast signals a modest, but meaningful, cooling of the U.S. housing market in 2026 across 22 major cities. For stakeholders, the takeaway is that the market may soon adjust to more sustainable price levels, offering opportunities for both buyers and sellers to reassess strategies. While the forecast should not be treated as a guarantee—real‑estate markets are notoriously variable—the data-driven approach provides a useful compass for navigating the next wave of housing decisions.

Word Count: 1,019