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10 Cities Set For A Real Estate Surge In 2026, Realtor Group Says
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The multiyear gridlock in the U.S. housing market is showing signs of loosening up, with 2026 looking to be the year of the buyer, according to the National Association of Realtors.
A report by the trade group found that cooling mortgage rates and a surge in inventory — specifically at price points that match local salaries — is creating a fresh wave of opportunity.
As rates ease toward the 6% mark, households previously priced out are now finding themselves mortgage-ready.
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NAR identified 10 metro areas that are outperforming the rest of the country based on job growth, millennial presence and housing affordability.
Here’s where NAR says the opportunities lie:
Charleston, South Carolina: This coastal gem is seeing inventory grow where it’s needed. Half of the city’s listings saw price cuts as of October, and more than 20,000 additional households qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. Income growth is 6% higher than in 2024.
Charlotte, North Carolina: More than 52,000 households will become eligible for homes as rates hit 6%. The area is a top destination for high-skilled workers and millennials. Income growth is 5.8% higher than in 2024.
Columbus, Ohio: With income growth hitting 7.2%, Columbus offers a balance of rising wages and housing stock that is better aligned with local incomes than the national average. As mortgage rates drop to 6%, more than 41,000 additional households will qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home.
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Indianapolis: The city’s 7.5% growth in single-family permits gives new buyers more to choose from. More than 42,700 additional households would qualify for a median-priced home with mortgage rates dropping to 6%.
Jacksonville, Florida: Unlike other Florida markets that have become prohibitively expensive, Jacksonville is seeing inventory and affordability improve simultaneously. More than 39,700 additional households would qualify for a median-priced home if mortgage rates hit 6%.
Minneapolis-St. Paul: The Twin Cities are the most rate-sensitive in the U.S. If you’re looking for a market that will explode with activity as rates drop, this is it — 81,000 additional households are poised to qualify.
Raleigh, North Carolina: With a 37.7% millennial population, Raleigh’s tech-heavy economy is driving income growth of 6.3%, keeping purchasing power strong. Almost 27,000 additional households would qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home with mortgage rates at 6%.
Richmond, Virginia: The market has fewer price cuts than the national average and 3.1% more mortgage originations than in 2024. More than 25,500 additional households would qualify for a median-priced home with mortgage rates at 6%.
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Salt Lake City: This is the youngest market on the list, with over 40% of households being millennials. Income increased by 6.5% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Nearly 25,000 additional households would qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home if rates drop to 6%.
Spokane, Washington: Spokane saw a 15.8% increase in annual income growth, and more than 9,500 additional households would qualify for a mortgage if rates drop to 6%.
The locked-in effect, where homeowners refused to sell because they didn’t want to trade a 3% mortgage for a 7% one, is beginning to dissolve. These markets aren’t just growing; they are becoming more accessible.
With more single-family permits being issued and mortgage originations on the rise, the 2026 market is shifting away from the panic-buying of years past and toward a more sustainable and healthy equilibrium.
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