After years of high mortgage rates and hesitant buyers, something is finally changing. Sellers are reappearing. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in a long while, the housing market is showing real signs of momentum again.
No, it’s not a dramatic surge — but it is a meaningful shift. And it may be exactly what sets up a healthier, more balanced year ahead.
As the #1 real estate agent in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, and Bonney Lake, here are the three biggest trends fueling this quiet comeback.
1. Mortgage Rates Are Trending Down
Rates are naturally volatile — that’s nothing new. But when you zoom out, the bigger trend tells the real story: mortgage rates have been declining for most of the year, and the past few months have delivered some of the best rates buyers have seen in 2025.
Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains why this matters:
“On a median-priced home, this could allow a homebuyer to save thousands annually compared to earlier this year.”
Lower rates = lower borrowing costs = more buying power.
Redfin reports that a buyer with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford about $25,000 more home than they could a year ago. That increase in affordability is bringing more buyers back into the market.
2. More Homeowners Are Finally Ready To Sell
For years, homeowners stayed put because they didn’t want to give up their low mortgage rate — the classic “lock-in effect.” But as rates slowly come down, life changes are taking priority again.
And homeowners are listing their homes.
Realtor.com data shows inventory has climbed significantly and is now approaching levels we haven’t seen in six years. This rise in available homes is:
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Giving buyers more choices
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Easing some of the competitive pressure
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Bringing the market closer to balance
More sellers = healthier market = renewed movement.
3. Buyers Are Re-Entering the Market
Buyers aren’t just browsing — they’re taking action.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports purchase applications are up compared to last year. This is a clear indicator that buyer confidence is building again.
And housing economists from Fannie Mae, MBA, and NAR all project continued sales growth heading into 2026.
This isn’t a sudden spike — it’s steady, healthy momentum.
What This Means for You
The recovery won’t happen overnight, but it’s underway. We’re moving toward:
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Better affordability
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More inventory
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Improved buyer activity
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A more balanced market overall
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to sell or buy, the path ahead looks far more promising than it did even just a few months ago.
