Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market

If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while. After a long stretch where many Kansas City homeowners felt "locked in," 2026 is shaping up to be a year of renewed balance, options, and clarity.

The market isn't suddenly "easy," but several key conditions are finally realigning toward a healthier environment. Here is what the experts—and our local KC data—are saying you have to look forward to.

🏛️ The National Perspective: A Step Toward Health

Top economists agree that 2026 represents a pivotal turn for the industry:

• Danielle Hale (Chief Economist, Realtor.com): "After a challenging period for buyers, sellers, and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market".

   

• Lawrence Yun (Chief Economist, NAR): Yun sums up the 2026 market in one word: Opportunity. He forecasts a 14% nationwide increase in existing-home sales as lower rates and rising supply finally break the three-year stagnation.

   
   

• Mark Fleming (Chief Economist, First American): Fleming notes that while affordability won't snap back overnight, "like a ship finally catching a steady tailwind, it’s now sailing in the right direction".

   

• Mischa Fisher (Chief Economist, Zillow): Fisher highlights that "buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and more consistent demand".

   

📍 The "KC Metro" Reality: 2026 Local Intel

While the national outlook is promising, our local data shows that Kansas City is actually leading the way in this "rebalancing" act.

• Inventory Recovery: Locally, we are seeing a significant thaw. Housing inventory in Johnson County and the KC Metro has risen between 8.5% and 25% year-over-year. In Overland Park alone, active listings reached approximately 870 by the start of 2026, a 22.5% increase from the previous year.

   
   

• Controlled Appreciation: Forget the wild double-digit spikes of the early 2020s. Local experts project steady, healthy price growth of 3% to 5% for the Kansas City area in 2026. This allows buyers to build equity without the "bidding war" fatigue of the past.

   
   
   

• Rate Stability: Mortgage rates have moved away from recent peaks and are expected to average around 6.3% throughout 2026. This "historically normalized" rate is finally encouraging move-up sellers in areas like Olathe and Lenexa to list their homes.

   
   

• Demand Strength: With the KC metro population growing by over 24,000 residents recently, long-term demand remains high, ensuring that well-priced homes continue to hold their value.

   

🎨 Why Local Insight Matters More Than Ever

As Lisa Sturtevant of Bright MLS explains, 2026 will be one of the most "geographically divided" markets in years. National trends set the stage, but your specific neighborhood—whether it's the historic charm of Brookside or the new construction in Blue Springs—determines the actual results of your transaction.

In 2026, real strategy beats speculation. You need a partner who can distinguish between a national headline and what is actually happening on your street.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting for a sign that it’s time to act, this is it. 2026 is the year of the "Smarter Move," where preparation and local data allow you to move with confidence.