For 2026, housing market outlooks from major national and regional sources suggest continued modest improvements in affordability and activity, even though challenges remain.
For instance, Zillow’s latest forecast projects that home values will rise about 1.2% nationwide in 2026 as sales begin to rebound and inventory slowly increases, offering a bit more value for home buyers than in recent years.
What’s more, Realtor.com’s 2026 housing forecast similarly anticipates that mortgage rates will average around 6.3%, slightly lower than prior peaks, giving more buying power to those seeking a home. This report also forecasts that homebuyers will benefit from a modest decline in real, or inflation-adjusted, home prices.
Finally, the Winter 2026 housing market ranking from The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com highlights that borrowing costs have drifted lower from 2025 highs, and markets with relatively better affordability are emerging as more favorable environments for home buyers in 2026.
Does this mean that 2026 is the year to buy?
It depends.
As my team at Jackie Mack & More and I would like to point out, the housing market can be difficult to predict, as we all certainly know from experience that anything can happen.
But if you’ve been holding off for a better rate, now might be a great time to jump in. Sellers who’ve been waiting are finally making a move, opening up more properties for buyers who are also getting a slightly better mortgage rate.
If you intend to live in the home for five years or longer, and your overall mortgage and taxes fit within your budget, it might make financial sense to act now.
Waiting longer after an opportunity like this one can be risky, because you might not get your dream home at a price you can afford as others will be jumping into the fray as well. And, if inflation returns in 2026 or beyond, a possibility, mortgage rates will surely go back up as well, making a home loan more expensive for you.
What does this mean for Evanston?
As a city filled with historic and stately single-family homes, vintage condos and co-ops, modern high rises, and much more, the current market could look very beautiful indeed, enabling you to find the exact type of home you want.
But with a limited amount of housing stock now available for purchase, you’d need to work fast.
After all, even in early 2025, when mortgage rates were higher, Evanston was considered to be one of hottest small city markets in the country. It can only get more competitive as the overall market heats up.
But how will you get the home you want at the best possible rate?
The short answer: Work with an agent, particularly one who is part of a team! First, you might find it hard to find the home for you and best mortgage rates on your own. Second, a team will enable you to act faster.
After all, with a team, there will always be a realtor available to take you on a home tour, prepare and place a bid, and complete the other processes on a shortened timeline. And when all members of the team are briefed on the wants, needs, and goals of all their clients, there are more eyes and ears available to uncover the type of home you want, in the neighborhood you want.
If you need any guidance in your search, my team at Jackie Mack & More can help. Feel free to email us at info@jackiemack.com or give us a call at 847-274-6676.
In fact, my team and I are here to answer all your questions, so you better understand the home buying process as well as the requirements for obtaining a home loan. As your “Evanston Experts,” with deep knowledge of the surrounding communities as well, we can also help you find the type of home you want. Whatever your housing needs and goals, our mission is to ensure that you don’t experience any surprises along the way.
And in the meantime, for a list of excellent local mortgage lenders, please go to Jackie’s List.
Let’s make 2026 the year you find your dream home!
