When Will Mortgage Rates Drop? Mark Fleming | 2026 Housing Market Forecast

Is the 2026 housing market finally becoming affordable, or are we stuck in a "new normal" of high rates and low inventory? In this episode of the Real Estate Update, Paul Centopani sits down with Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, to break down the complex realities of today’s home financing landscape.Fleming provides a deep dive into why entry-level homes are the hardest hit and which regions, like the Midwest and Northeast, are defying national trends with 6-7% price appreciation. You’ll learn actionable strategies for navigating high mortgage rates, including the benefits of hybrid ARMs and how to use points to buy down your rate. Fleming also addresses the massive impact of energy prices on home buying in 2026 and why "upzoning" might be the only long-term solution to the inventory crisis.Whether you're a first-time buyer trying to get on the housing ladder or a seasoned investor tracking housing market crash 2026 rumors, this interview offers the expert perspective you need to make a lifestyle-driven decision. Don't buy a home until you hear Mark Fleming's "stepping stone" philosophy.Connect with Mortgage Research Network:YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MortgageResearchNetwork⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mortgageresearchnetwork/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mtgresearchnews⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠MortgageResearch.com⁠⁠Connect with Mark Fleming:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fleming-4a0a07b/First Time Homebuyer Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4w8CiVM⁠⁠Homebuyer Calculators: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4n0hDPv⁠⁠Connect With a Lender: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/426Gyaw------0:00 Intro0:10 Meet Mark Fleming00:44 Regional Heat Map: Why the Midwest is still appreciating01:45 The Entry-Level Struggle: Why first-time buyers are stuck03:38 Budget Hacks: Down payments and buying down points04:15 The Hybrid ARM Advantage: A safer way to lower payments06:28 2026 Rate Forecast: Why 6% is the new target11:22 Fixing Inventory: Zoning laws and multi-unit dwellings13:28 The "Stepping Stone" Strategy for First-Time Buyers------For more information about the housing market, visit MortgageResearch.com.#HousingMarket2026 #MortgageRates #RealEstateInvesting