Will 2026 be the year buyers stop waiting? Forecasters are split, predicting anywhere from 1.7% to 14% growth in home sales. That 12-point gap reveals the central question facing the housing market: how much will slightly lower mortgage rates and slowly eroding lock-in effects actually unlock pent-up demand?

Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty.

For millions of homeowners, checking their Zillow Zestimate has become as routine as checking a stock portfolio—a quick hit of seeing your home's estimated value, right at your fingertips.

Real estate scams are targeting more victims than ever before, and they're becoming increasingly sophisticated. Nearly 10,000 Americans fell victim to real estate fraud in 2024, losing over $173 million according to FBI reports.

Real estate continues to dominate as America’s favorite long-term investment strategy. For the 12th consecutive year, 37% of Americans consider real estate the top investment choice—nearly doubling stocks at just 16%. This isn’t just sentiment; investors are putting their money where their beliefs are, purchasing 13% of all homes sold in 2024.

While many areas of the economy have contracted, the housing market has stayed remarkably strong. But can the good news last? When...