Mortgage Rates Near 6% in 2026: Will Buyers Take Advantage?

As we close out 2025 and step into the new year, the housing market is offering a clearer signal of what lies ahead. In this month’s market update, Ruben Gonzalez and Gabi Brennesholtz break down final 2025 NAR data, revealing a largely flat year for sales and modest price growth with meaningful regional differences. They also unpack year-end employment and inflation trends, discuss what ongoing economic uncertainty means for buyers, and share the latest outlook on mortgage rates as 2026 gets underway.In this episode, you’ll learn:What final 2025 NAR data shows about home sales, prices, and inventory nationwideHow regional price performance varied dramatically across the Northeast, Midwest, South, and WestWhy slower job growth and labor market uncertainty are shaping buyer behaviorHow inflation trends are evolving and what’s still putting pressure on household budgetsWhere mortgage rates stand today and why expectations for major drops remain limitedWhat buyers, sellers, and agents should realistically anticipate as the 2026 market unfolds—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Final 2025 NAR housing numbers: sales, prices, and inventory01:19 Regional price performance and what’s driving market variation03:04 2026 home sales outlook and the role of pent-up demand04:05 Employment slowdown and how labor market uncertainty impacts buyers06:18 Inflation trends, household costs, and affordability pressures09:48 Mortgage rate movement, forecasts, and what to expect in 202611:48 Policy speculation, election-year headlines, and why buyers shouldn’t waitThis podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.