10 Hottest Housing Markets for 2026
With prices expected to ease and mortgage rates likely to remain at around 6% in 2026, home sales activity could begin to improve across the U.S. According to the National Association of Realtors’ recent report, Housing Hot Spots for 2026: The Markets Poised for New Buyer Opportunities, existing-home sales are projected to rise by 14% in the new year. At the same time, a build up of both new- and existing-home inventory is expected to keep home-price growth at a moderate 4%.
Still, homebuyer activity will not be even across the U.S., according to the report. Looking at factors such as demographics, affordability, and employment opportunities, the report names 10 markets that are most likely to see an influx of homebuyers in 2026.
These markets include:
- Charleston, S.C.;
- Charlotte, N.C.;
- Columbus, Ohio;
- Indianapolis;
- Jacksonville, Fla.;
- Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn.;
- Raleigh, N.C.;
- Richmond, Va.;
- Salt Lake City; and
- Spokane, Wash.
These markets have a few commonalities that will likely lead to an uptick in home sales, including: a large percentage of Millennials that are now ready to become homeowners, anticipated household income growth, job growth, a better mortgage payment to rent ratio, and a recent uptick in single-family permitting activity, among other factors.