🎊 New Year, New Moves: Key Real Estate Trends Shaping the Market

If a move is on your radar for 2026, there's a lot more working in your favor than there has been in quite some time. This year is shaping up to be more balanced, with more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a move. Here's what the experts are saying you have to look forward to.

Buyers are benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability and more consistent demand. Each group should have more breathing room in 2026. 

As of mid-January, average interest rates in Michigan are 6.10% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 5.58% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. Thanks to this long-awaited drop, a home that felt just out of reach last year may now fit within your monthly budget. A one-point change in mortgage rates can shift monthly payments by hundreds of dollars, which is why this dip has many buyers re-entering the market. 

According to The National Association of Realtors, lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of home are expected to open up the housing market. For sellers, easing rates could mean more showings, more offers, and more confidence from buyers. More buyers are ready to move forward, creating stronger demand for well-priced listings. 

Does all this information have you thinking? Consider getting your home in tip-top shape during these chilly winter months. This is the best time to handle interior repairs. Come spring, you will be so thankful you did! Homes that feel well-maintained and move-in ready sell faster and often command stronger offers. Here are a couple good places to start: 

• Have your furnace or HVAC system serviced and keep documentation. A well-maintained heating system reassures buyers and helps inspections go smoothly. 
• Start decluttering and organizing storage areas, like closets, utility rooms, and the basement. Buyers look closely at storage, and having it organized early makes staging much easier in the spring. 
• Paint high traffic areas in a neutral color, and check to make sure faceplates are white and clean. Also wipe down and paint baseboards and door frames if needed. 
• Bonus: create a "repairs completed" list - buyers and your agent will appreciate it when it comes time to list your home!

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exciting things happening in the housing market this year. If you'd like to dig deeper or discuss your options when it comes to buying and selling, I'd love to chat more with you!