As someone who’s spent decades guiding clients through both real estate and mortgage decisions, I watch market trends closely—especially those affecting home values and affordability. In Q2 2026, we saw US home prices continue to rise on paper, but after adjusting for inflation, real home values actually declined for the 13th month in a row. While one major federal index showed home prices holding steady month-over-month between mid- and late Q2, and another national index reflected yearly appreciation ticking up from roughly 1% to 1.5%, these gains are still about 2 points behind inflation, which sits around 3.5%. Even with nominal prices staying resilient (as one federal measure has reported positive annual appreciation every quarter since early 2012), buyers are feeling the squeeze. Affordability remains the key challenge, with typical monthly payments on existing single-family homes rising again last quarter. For first-time buyers especially, that means more pressure on the budget. My approach is always to provide honest, clear advice—helping you understand not just the numbers, but what they mean for your real-life decisions. Wherever you are on your real estate journey, thoughtful guidance can make all the difference.
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