2026 Housing Market Forecast for Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.: What Home Buyers Need to Know
2026 Housing Market Forecast for Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.: What Home Buyers Need to Know
2026 Housing Market Forecast for Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.: What Home Buyers Need to Know
2026 Housing Market Forecast for Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.: What Home Buyers Need to Know
What Home Buyers Should Expect in the 2026 Housing Market: A Mid-Atlantic & National Outlook
As we head into 2026, the U.S. housing market is entering a phase of transition and stabilization after several years of higher mortgage rates and tighter housing inventory. Home buyers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., should experience a more balanced market.
Here’s an overview of what to expect as you prepare to buy a home in 2026.
1. Mortgage Rates: Expect a gradual decline, not a sharp drop
One of the largest factors shaping buyer options in 2026 will be mortgage interest rates. After peaking above 7% in recent years, economists and major forecasters with Bright MLS and the National Association of Realtors expect 30-year fixed mortgage rates to average in the low-6% range in 2026, easing from the roughly 6.6% average seen in 2025. (RealEstateNews.com)
Realtor.com’s 2026 forecast says mortgage rates will average near 6.3%. (Realtor)
However, some home buyers, working with exclusive buyer agents with HomeBuyer Brokerage, were able to lock in rates below this level in late 2025. With homes staying on the market longer, a lower interest rate with a lower purchase price and sometimes a seller credit has worked out well for our buyer clients.
2. Home Sales: More homes on the market but not a big jump in inventory
Across the U.S., housing economists offer mixed forecasts for home sale activity in 2026.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects a double-digit increase in home sales (National Association of REALTORS®)
Realtor.com says home sales will climb 1.7–2%, reflecting slow but steady improvement. (Realtor)
What does this mean for home buyers? More activity in the housing market means better negotiation leverage. However with housing inventory still lower than average, there may still be competition for some homes in some areas of the DMV.
3. Price Expectations: Prices will rise slowly and vary depending on proximity to Washington D.C.
Realtor.com’s national outlook shows a 2.2% rise in prices next year. (Realtor)
Based on the Bright MLS 2026 forecasts, the Mid-Atlantic region which includes Maryland, Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania, expect to see a 2.6% increase in median home prices next year, with active listings climbing and buyers having more opportunities to get into the housing market.
However, In the immediate DMV-Washington, D.C. and counties close to the city in Virginia and Maryland, buyer demand is tied to the uncertainty of what happens with federal government employment.
4. Inventory: More options but not an abundance of housing
Bright MLS data suggests that active listings across the Mid-Atlantic could grow meaningfully in 2026. (RealEstateNews.com) In the fall of 2025, exclusive buyer agents with HomeBuyer Brokerage have helped home buyers navigate the changing market. With many houses on the market for over two weeks, we’ve had opportunities to negotiate lower sales prices and seller credits for our buyer clients.
5. Market Balance
Economists describe 2026 as a transition year where year-over-year improvements are expected. (RealEstateNews.com)
HomeBuyer Brokerage home buyer plan for 2026
Prepare financially-talk with a lender and go through the pre-approval process
Consider homes that have been on the market for over two weeks. This is where the opportunity for lower prices and seller credits exist
Be patient but proactive. More listings will come on the market for sale in the spring. Be ready with your pre-approval from a local lender and work with an exclusive buyer agent to find your home.
Sources:
https://www.homebuyerbrokerage.com/testimonials
https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/?utm
We will not share your information with anyone....
Thank you for requesting more information...
We value and protect your privacy and will never share your contact information with anyone else.
How can we help?
If the exclusive buyer agents at HomeBuyer Brokerage can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@homebuyerbrokerage.com.
2026 Housing Market Forecast for Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.: What Home Buyers Need to Know
What Home Buyers Should Expect in the 2026 Housing Market: A Mid-Atlantic & National Outlook
As we head into 2026, the U.S. housing market is entering a phase of transition and stabilization after several years of higher mortgage rates and tighter housing inventory. Home buyers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., should experience a more balanced market.
Here’s an overview of what to expect as you prepare to buy a home in 2026.
1. Mortgage Rates: Expect a gradual decline, not a sharp drop
One of the largest factors shaping buyer options in 2026 will be mortgage interest rates. After peaking above 7% in recent years, economists and major forecasters with Bright MLS and the National Association of Realtors expect 30-year fixed mortgage rates to average in the low-6% range in 2026, easing from the roughly 6.6% average seen in 2025. (RealEstateNews.com)
Realtor.com’s 2026 forecast says mortgage rates will average near 6.3%. (Realtor)
However, some home buyers, working with exclusive buyer agents with HomeBuyer Brokerage, were able to lock in rates below this level in late 2025. With homes staying on the market longer, a lower interest rate with a lower purchase price and sometimes a seller credit has worked out well for our buyer clients.
2. Home Sales: More homes on the market but not a big jump in inventory
Across the U.S., housing economists offer mixed forecasts for home sale activity in 2026.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects a double-digit increase in home sales (National Association of REALTORS®)
Realtor.com says home sales will climb 1.7–2%, reflecting slow but steady improvement. (Realtor)
What does this mean for home buyers? More activity in the housing market means better negotiation leverage. However with housing inventory still lower than average, there may still be competition for some homes in some areas of the DMV.
3. Price Expectations: Prices will rise slowly and vary depending on proximity to Washington D.C.
Realtor.com’s national outlook shows a 2.2% rise in prices next year. (Realtor)
Based on the Bright MLS 2026 forecasts, the Mid-Atlantic region which includes Maryland, Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania, expect to see a 2.6% increase in median home prices next year, with active listings climbing and buyers having more opportunities to get into the housing market.
However, In the immediate DMV-Washington, D.C. and counties close to the city in Virginia and Maryland, buyer demand is tied to the uncertainty of what happens with federal government employment.
4. Inventory: More options but not an abundance of housing
Bright MLS data suggests that active listings across the Mid-Atlantic could grow meaningfully in 2026. (RealEstateNews.com) In the fall of 2025, exclusive buyer agents with HomeBuyer Brokerage have helped home buyers navigate the changing market. With many houses on the market for over two weeks, we’ve had opportunities to negotiate lower sales prices and seller credits for our buyer clients.
5. Market Balance
Economists describe 2026 as a transition year where year-over-year improvements are expected. (RealEstateNews.com)
HomeBuyer Brokerage home buyer plan for 2026
Prepare financially-talk with a lender and go through the pre-approval process
Consider homes that have been on the market for over two weeks. This is where the opportunity for lower prices and seller credits exist
Be patient but proactive. More listings will come on the market for sale in the spring. Be ready with your pre-approval from a local lender and work with an exclusive buyer agent to find your home.
Sources:
https://www.homebuyerbrokerage.com/testimonials
https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/?utm
Request More Information
We will not share your information with anyone....
Thank you for requesting more information...
We value and protect your privacy and will never share your contact information with anyone else.
How can we help?
The exclusive buyer agents at HomeBuyer Brokerage specialize in serving home buyers. Please reach out with questions at info@homebuyerbrokerage.com.
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