The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has unveiled its latest report, Housing Hot Spots for 2026: Markets Positioned for New Buyer Opportunities, identifying the U.S. metro areas expected to present the most promising conditions for homebuyers in the coming year.

According to NAR’s outlook, existing-home sales are forecast to increase by 14% in 2026, while home prices are projected to rise approximately 4%. Factors such as improved affordability, moderating mortgage rates, and a growing inventory of available homes are expected to reignite buyer confidence and market activity.

These insights were shared by NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun during the organization’s seventh annual Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead, where he also discussed broader economic and housing trends anticipated for 2026.

Top 10 Homebuying Hot Spots for 2026

(Listed alphabetically)

-> Charleston, South Carolina

-> Charlotte, North Carolina–South Carolina

-> Columbus, Ohio

-> Indianapolis, Indiana

-> Jacksonville, Florida

-> Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota–Wisconsin

-> Raleigh, North Carolina

-> Richmond, Virginia

-> Salt Lake City, Utah

-> Spokane, Washington

Each of these metro areas exceeded the national average in at least five out of ten key economic, demographic, and housing indicators. With populations of 250,000 or more, these markets are well-positioned to offer strong opportunities for both homebuyers and real estate professionals in 2026.

Why These Markets Stand Out

“Lower mortgage rates combined with increasing inventory should help draw buyers back into the market in 2026,” Yun explained. “The most resilient housing hot spots are those that strike the right balance between demand, affordability, and—most importantly—homes priced within reach of returning buyers.”

In essence, these markets are better equipped to align buyer demand with realistic pricing and available inventory.

National Housing Outlook for 2026

NAR’s nationwide forecast points to a more optimistic year ahead for housing:

-> Existing-home sales: Expected to grow by 14%

-> Home prices: Projected to rise around 4%

-> Mortgage rates: Likely to trend closer to 6%

-> Job growth: Approximately 1.3 million new jobs anticipated

“After three years of relatively flat home sales, a meaningful rebound is expected in 2026,” Yun noted. “Higher housing inventory, modest improvements in affordability, and a more supportive monetary policy environment should help expand access to homeownership.”

How NAR Identified the 2026 Hot Spots

The rankings were determined through a comprehensive analysis of ten economic, demographic, and housing factors, including:

-> Percentage of millennial households

-> Household income growth

-> Employment growth trends

-> Sensitivity to declining mortgage rates

-> Domestic migration as a share of population

-> Share of listings with price reductions

-> Alignment between home prices and local incomes

-> Mortgage payment versus rent comparisons

-> Growth in single-family home permits

->Increases in mortgage originations

About the National Association of REALTORS®

The National Association of REALTORS® represents real estate professionals across residential and commercial markets nationwide. REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies professionals who are members of NAR and committed to its strict Code of Ethics.

Consumers can access free educational resources on buying and selling real estate—including information on buyer agreements and compensation—at facts.realtor.