Buyer's Market Solidifies, Sellers Take EVEN Less | Jan. 2026 Update

"I actually said in the beginning of last year, about one year ago, that we were probably going to have a pretty flat market back in 2025. And that's exactly what happened."

"I think we are going to be in a flat market for several years, barring some black swan event or some crazy geopolitical thing that happens or quantitative easing. If we stay on the path we're on, I think that we are going to have several flat years in the housing market."

"I said last year I think the range is going to be 5 1/2 to 6 and 1/2. Sticking with that. I said the average for the year is going to be around 6.1%. We're probably about that for the year right now. It's going to be volatile. It's going to go up and down, but that's where my average is for the year."

"unfortunately, I think that means we are only going to get modest improvements for affordability in the housing market this year."

"I'm optimistic that wages are going to keep growing this year."

"I think we're going to have another flat year of housing prices, maybe a little bit down."

"These are the things that have to happen for 3, four, 5 years before the housing market becomes healthy again. We're 3 years into it and I think we have two or three years more unless something crazy happens."

"as long as things stay in the realm of normal, I think we're staying for a boring year in the housing market, slow sales, flat to modestly declining prices, but modestly improving affordability."

"Those are two signs that the market is not going to crash. Right now there is no evidence of a market crash."

"until rents start going up, which I do think will happen in the latter half of this year, maybe into next year."