Big changes could be coming to real estate in 2026
While affordability is expected to improve, litigation isn’t going away — and questions remain about what the government will do to bring about housing reform.
January 1, 2026
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
Page 2 of 54
- Mortgage rates close out 2025 at 15-month lowThough lower mortgage rates are improving affordability, economists warn that many potential homebuyers will still be “priced out” in the new year.December 31, 2025
- The Ten: A housing market stuck in placeInventory improved in 2025, but affordability challenges sidelined potential buyers, while unfavorable selling conditions discouraged homeowners from listing.December 30, 2025
- Anywhere hit with 3 lawsuits related to Compass mergerThe complaints claim Anywhere provided deficient financial disclosures in merger documents; Compass responded with new details in an effort to prevent delays.December 29, 2025
- Pending sales rise, but market still stuck in ‘low gear’Last month, pending home sales rose 3.3% compared to October and 2.6% compared to November 2024, with the biggest year-over-year jump occurring in the South.December 29, 2025
- An AI-driven homebuying model is picking up steamProptech firm Homa, which charges buyers a flat fee, recently closed its first sale in Florida and plans to bring its hybrid AI/agent experience to more states.December 27, 2025
- Buyers market expected to persist ‘for the foreseeable future’Mortgage rates fell again this week, making a 2026 home purchase slightly more affordable for buyers who already have an advantage over sellers.December 26, 2025
- Compass, NWMLS bicker over discovery in antitrust caseThe brokerage and Washington state-based MLS have conflicting views over how the discovery phase is proceeding as the case advances toward a trial.December 23, 2025
- The Ten: Powell and the Fed under fire — and in the spotlightThe Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell were frequent targets of the Trump administration in 2026, raising concerns about the agency’s future independence.December 23, 2025
- DOJ weighs in on another commissions lawsuitThe department’s Antitrust Division has filed a Statement of Interest in Davis et al. v. Hanna Holdings Inc., a lawsuit filed by homebuyers last year.December 19, 2025
- Slow and steady improvement in sales as the year wraps upExisting home sales dipped year-over-year but have increased for three consecutive months, suggesting a more balanced and stable market heading into 2026.December 19, 2025
- Homeowners insurance realities set in after recent floodsDestructive flooding in Washington state led many to discover that standard insurance policies don’t cover flood damage — an issue homeowners face nationwide.December 18, 2025
- No big mortgage rate shifts expected after mixed jobs reportThe U.S. lost 105,000 jobs in October but added 64,000 in November as unemployment hit the highest mark in over four years, according to the BLS.December 16, 2025
- Objectors appealing commissions deals will get one last sayOn Jan. 14, a three-judge panel will hear oral arguments before deciding if settlements reached in the Sitzer/Burnett and Gibson cases should remain in place.December 15, 2025
- Pending sales fall — but mortgage rates probably won’tConcerns about inflation, the labor market and the health of the U.S. economy at large could push rates higher in the coming weeks and months, economists warn.December 11, 2025
- The housing market’s ‘next era’ is just around the cornerResearch from Compass’ chief economist points to slow but steady improvement next year, especially if hiring picks up and “shadow inventory” is released.December 11, 2025
- Housing will ‘be a problem,’ Fed chair warns after rate cutA divided Fed worried about inflation and the softening jobs market cut short-term interest rates by 25 basis points on Dec. 10 — the third such cut this year.December 10, 2025
- FTC targets rental software companies in new warning letterThe companies’ technology may be blocking property managers and owners from accurately marketing home rental prices, the agency said.December 9, 2025
- Why today’s market is driving up buyer agent commissionsThe average buyer agent commission was 2.42% in Q3 — up from 2.36% last year after the NAR settlement took effect, according to a new Redfin data analysis.December 8, 2025
- What to expect from the Fed this week — and in 2026Investors expect the central bank to cut short-term interest rates by 25 basis points — but the Fed’s economic projections could keep mortgage rates sticky.December 8, 2025
