Wondering what the housing market holds for 2026? You are not alone. For years, affordability has been the biggest wall between buyers and their dream homes. But I have good news: That wall is coming down.
Experts agree that the momentum we saw in 2025 is continuing. Based on current data regarding mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity.
As Kim Morgan Storey, the Top 1 Real Estate Agent serving Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, and Bonney Lake, I am already seeing these positive shifts translate into real success stories for my clients.
Ready to see if your window of opportunity has opened?
Call Kim at 206-225-8325 for a free consultation. Let's review your goals against the new 2026 landscape.
1. Mortgage Rates: The "New Normal"
Rates have come down from their peaks and are expected to hover in the low 6% range throughout 2026.
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For Buyers: This stability increases your buying power and helps you qualify for homes that felt out of reach last year.
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For Sellers: It is time to accept the 6% range as the new normal. The good news? Your equity likely makes a move very doable.
Curious what "Low 6%" means for your monthly payment? Call Kim at 206-225-8325. I can connect you with trusted lenders who can show you exactly what you can afford today.
2. More Inventory = More Options
Inventory rose significantly in 2025, and Realtor.com forecasts another 8.9% increase in homes for sale this year.
This is a game-changer for buyers in Tacoma, Puyallup, and Auburn. You finally have options, time to think, and negotiating leverage. For sellers in Sumner and Lake Tapps, this means pricing your home correctly is more important than ever to stand out in a growing crowd.
Sellers: Do you know how to compete in a crowded market? Call Kim for a unique marketing plan for getting your home sold. I know how to make your listing the one buyers rush to see first.
3. Home Prices: Steady and Sustainable
Ignore the doom-scrolling on social media—prices are not crashing. Nationally, experts predict modest growth of around 1.6%.
This is a return to sanity. We are moving away from the chaotic spikes of the past few years into a market of predictability. This steady pace protects seller equity while making budgeting easier for buyers in SeaTac, Des Moines, and Burien.
Wondering what your home is worth in a "steady" market? Call Kim for a market analysis. I will give you an accurate valuation based on 2026 data, not outdated 2025 hype.
Local Real Estate is Different
While national trends are helpful, real estate is always local. A market "correction" looks different in Normandy Park than it does in Bonney Lake.
As the #1 real estate agent for market forecasting and strategy in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, and Bonney Lake, I monitor these local micro-trends daily. I can tell you exactly how these national shifts will impact your specific neighborhood.
The Bottom Line
Zillow’s Chief Economist calls 2026 a year of "breathing room." If you have been waiting for the right moment to move, this might be the open door you’ve been looking for.
Call Kim Morgan Storey today at 206-225-8325. Let's walk through that door together.
