Should I Sell My House in 2026?

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If you’ve been wondering if 2026 is a good year to sell a house, you have come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will examine the pros and cons of selling your house this year and address issues such as a potential recession and the best times to sell a property. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to sell your house in 2026.

Is 2026 a Good Year to Sell a House?

Let’s consider the current market conditions in the United States. The national housing market has continued to evolve rapidly, though it has yet to stabilize following the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors, housing prices have fluctuated in response to changing demand and supply trends.

2025 saw a softening of the housing market after the intensity of the past several years of hot housing, home price rises, and battles to buy a home. The slowed price growth across the nation provided a bit of breathing room for home buyers who could now view homes at a more normal pace and have proper negotiations.

Sellers must keep in mind that homeowners have gained approximately $150,000 in home value over the past 5 years. Even with the market slowing, they have major equity stored up in the home. Understanding your home’s current market value is crucial for making informed selling decisions. In addition, inventory continues to remain tight in many areas, and buyers are willing to act quickly on a well-priced, move-in-ready home. Low housing supply can lead to higher prices and even bidding wars in a seller’s market.

In addition, it’s anticipated that mortgage rates will be relatively lower than they have been in the past couple of years, which will push many potential home buyers to enter the market.

But is now a good time to sell a house as the year progresses? This requires a lot more research. When selling a property, you must understand your local market conditions, not just the average situation across the country.

In some cases, markets will be more geared toward sellers, and at other times they will favor buyers. We recommend gathering as much information as possible before putting your house on the market.

You will also need to consider your personal situation, particularly your finances. Are you ready to embark on a potentially lengthy, stressful, and costly process? Are the other members of your household on board?

Deciding whether to sell your house now or wait can be complicated.

Why You Should Sell Your Home Now

Let’s assume you are ready and eager to sell as soon as possible. Current real estate trends indicate favorable conditions for sellers in many markets. Below are three main reasons you should consider selling a home in 2026 instead of waiting.

1. Favorable Market Conditions

As we said earlier, if market conditions favor sellers, you shouldn’t think twice about making your move. The specific conditions to pay attention to are interest rates and housing inventory.

When interest rates are low, it entices more buyers to enter the real estate market. And more buyers in the market means more opportunities for sellers. If this is the case in your local housing market, take advantage of it and consider preparing your property for sale.

Supply is another crucial factor. When very few homes are available for sale, demand and prices soar — and the available properties usually sell quickly.

2.Lower Mortgage Interest Rates

It’s anticipated that mortgage rates drop slightly throughout 2026, and will hover around 6.1%. This is almost a full percentage below the rates that 2025 saw and will provide prospective buyers with needed relief.

Lower mortgage rates boost buyers’ buying power, making homes more affordable and increasing competition among buyers. Home buyer demand will likely increase with the mortgage rates drop and generate serious interest your home.

3.Steady Home Prices

While the market conditions and rising home prices of recent years brought a massive increase in home equity, the steady home prices of 2026 will bring stability.

As a home seller, this is a benefit. You don’t need to worry if your listing price could possibly be significantly higher in 6 months. With steady prices, you can set a competitive asking price without fear of sudden market shifts. You can list your home with confidence and have the time to sell and move with less stress.

Should I Sell My House in 2026? Factors Beyond Market Trends

Life doesn’t pay attention to the housing market conditions. Sometimes it’s simply time for a new house because of personal reasons. However, it’s important to make sure that selling your house also makes financial sense, not just personal sense. But don’t worry, if life is pushing you to move, here’s some reassurance that it’s right for you.

1. Relocation Needs

Sometimes life demands that you move. Whether it’s for a new job, school, or family changes, these factors make it necessary to sell.

Don’t let the housing market stress you out. The best time to move is when it’s right for you.

Most home sellers are facing favorable home-selling conditions. While they may not have the absolute power hold that they had in 2022, sellers are still walking away positively and with great gains.

2. Downsizing

The kids have flown the nest, retirement is approaching, or perhaps a member of your household has sadly passed away. All of these are valid reasons for selling your house and downsizing to a smaller and more easily manageable property.

If you are downsizing, you are likely in an excellent position to be a cash buyer, or have very minimal mortgage payments, which makes mortgage rates less relevant. Downsizing can significantly reduce your monthly payment, especially if you obtain a new mortgage with favorable terms. As a strong buyer, you can approach home sellers with more negotiating power.

3. Expanding

Your finances are in a good place, and you are ready to invest in a bigger and better property. If this sounds like you, then 2026 is a great year to sell your current home and buy the next home.

You’ve likely gained $150,000 or more in the value of your home over the past 5 years. If you’ve owned your home for longer, you could have serious home equity built up to put towards the down payment of your next home. If the property is your primary residence, you may also qualify for a capital gain tax exclusion on the profit from the sale, which can help maximize your financial benefit.

Tips for Selling Your House in 2026

If you’ve decided that selling your home in 2026 is the right move, the tips below will help ensure you achieve the best possible selling results. Following these tips can help you sell faster and maximize your results.

Get Your Finances in Order

First things first: your finances. Sorting out your finances is essential if you are buying a house, but it’s just as important if you are selling one.

>> AGENT ANSWERS: How do I live in my house while selling it?

Evaluate your financial situation, including your home equity, to determine if selling your home makes sense. Make sure you have enough equity to cover your mortgage payoff, agent commissions, closing costs, and other expenses that may arise from the sale.

You must also factor in expenses such as your real estate agent’s fees and commissions, marketing and listing costs, home staging, and insurance costs, as these can all impact your net proceeds.

Lastly, consider your long term goals and determine if selling your house aligns with them.

Team Up With a Great Real Estate Agent

There are many different ways to sell a property, but one of the most effective is to work with a trusted and expert real estate agent. Look around your area to make sure you find someone with good local knowledge, a great reputation, and plenty of experience with home sales.

Make All Necessary Repairs 

Before you put your house on the market, take care of any necessary repairs. Fortunately, many sellers find these are mostly minor things, such as leaking faucets, outdated décor, and worn-out carpets.

Homes that are move-in ready are the most attractive homes in this market. Not only do they sell for a premium, but they also sell quickly, often generating multiple offers.

Homes that are in need of obvious repair are sitting on the market longer because fewer buyers are interested in homes in need of work. Furthermore, it gives buyers more negotiating power during the home inspection.

If a thorough home inspection reveals that your property needs major work, you’ll have to fix the problems, provide seller credits, or possibly walk away from the deal.

On the otherhand, it’s generally not necessary to go through major renovations in order to sell your home. It can often be very expensive and may not generate the increase in home values that you’re looking to achieve. Find a balance and create a home that is well-maintained, inviting, and problem-free.

Clean and Tidy Up the Interior

Before putting your house on the market, make sure every room is clean, tidy, and clutter-free. Not only will this help potential buyers realize that you are a serious and trusted seller, but it will also showcase your house in its full glory.

While decluttering can be something you want to deal with yourself, as you will probably be handling valuables and other personal items, consider hiring a professional company to clean. Trying to move all your belongings yourself without professional help is a bad idea and can lead to unnecessary stress or damage. Yes, it will cost more money, but it will save you time and hassle.

Remember Curb Appeal

Once you have ensured that the inside of your house is in tip-top shape, it’s time to look at the outside. We’re talking about curb appeal.

The exterior of your property is key to making a great first impression on visitors and buyers. If you find any work that needs to be done, don’t think twice.

If everything looks pretty good already, remember there is always room for improvement. A few new plants or shrubs, lighting, or walkway could help you land an interested buyer in no time.

Create a “Dream Team”

Even if you aren’t going to put your house on the market for another few weeks or months, it’s wise to start getting in touch with experienced real estate agents right now. This will give you plenty of time to compare strengths, read customer reviews, and assess skills and specialties.

Don’t know where to start? Interview several real estate agents and discuss their strategies for marketing and selling your home. Also, ask about the listing price and comps in the area.

If you choose an experienced real estate agent with excellent local knowledge and industry expertise, they will make your home sale a success. Furthermore, if your home needs minor work, they’ll be able to put you in contact with members of their contractor network.

Stage Your Home for Success

Last but certainly not least, selling a house in 2026 can be much easier if you opt for home staging. This helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the house and brings out the real essence of the property. Offering virtual tours of your staged home can further attract more buyers by allowing them to explore the property online, increasing interest and streamlining the selling process.

Professional staging will require a fairly significant investment on your part, but you will soon notice that every last cent is worth it. If your budget simply doesn’t allow it and you believe you can successfully stage your home by yourself. Aim to highlight the character of the home and make spaces feel open and inviting.

Home staging doesn’t have to be complex or extravagant. To begin with, you’ll want to remove any personal items from your home, especially photographs, vacation souvenirs, and other gadgets and valuables.

Then, invest in some nice, inexpensive accessories. Some new cushions and throws in neutral shades, indoor plants, and a few table lamps will instantly give your property that cozy, welcoming feel.

Additional FAQs

If you are still trying to decide if you will be able to sell your house in 2026 and would like even more advice on this topic, then take a look at some additional information below.

FAQ: How do climate risks and insurance costs affect my decision to sell?

Climate risks, such as increased flooding, wildfires, or severe storms, can impact the demand for properties in certain regions. These risks often lead to climbing insurance costs, as insurers raise premiums to cover potential losses. Higher home insurance premiums can increase the overall cost of ownership for buyers, making your property less attractive compared to homes in lower-risk areas. When planning to sell, consider how climate risks and rising insurance expenses may influence both your selling price and the pool of interested buyers.

Should I Sell My House Now Before a Recession?

A study conducted by Bankrate found that the U.S. economy had a 64% chance of entering a recession in 2023. However, there was no recession in 2023, 2024, or 2025. While the post-Pandemic years have had some instability at times, the economy has remained strong.

Looking ahead to 2026, recessionary fears are more click-bait than reality.

While the idea of a recession might be enough to make you eager to sell your house as soon as possible, remember that there are many other elements to factor in when choosing to sell a property. During economic downturns, house hunters often have less buying power, which can result in lower demand and slower home sales.

If the overall market conditions and your personal circumstances allow it, selling sooner rather than later is a good move. But if you’re not fully ready, it’s best to wait.

What Is the Best Time To Sell a House in 2026?

Generally speaking, the spring and summer months are typically the best times to sell a house due to increased buyer activity and favorable conditions. The weather is milder, the abundance of natural light entices buyers to book house showings more frequently, and most people want to get settled before the fall arrives (and before Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities). These months usually see the highest volume of home sales and can be especially advantageous for sellers.

Having said that, when to sell your property is entirely up to you. As we discussed in the earlier sections of this guide, many factors are at play when choosing when to sell a house, including market conditions, finances, and the current state of your property.

While the spring and summer months remain two of the top-selling seasons in the housing market, remember to draw your conclusions only after considering other important aspects.

Can I Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time?

The short answer is “yes,” but there’s much more to it. If you want to sell your current house and buy a new property simultaneously, you will need a clear plan of action, and you will need to work with an experienced real estate agent and a skilled mortgage expert who can guide you through the process.

Then, you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate closing dates and timelines, as you won’t want to risk selling your house before your new one is ready to move in. It’s also important to factor in any issues or delays with your project’s selling or purchasing side, as they will inevitably affect the other parts. This can be stressful, so make sure your plan is solid.

Can I Sell My House Without a Real Estate Agent?

Teaming up with a good real estate agent can make a big difference in the selling process’s speed, effectiveness, and profitability. 64% of FSBO’s (For Sale By Owner) said they did not receive their desired sales price. In addition, FSBO’s sell for a median price of $360,000 versus $425,000, according to NAR.

However, you can market the property independently if you don’t want to budget for the selling agent’s commission. Remember, you will still likely need to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission.

Try listing it on multiple listing services (MLS) to maximize reach and exposure, and ask For Sale By Owner (FSBO) websites for support.

MLS websites allow you to list your property across different real estate providers, boosting visibility among potential buyers. On the other hand, FSBOs are websites packed full of tips, resources, and other helpful information that can guide you through the selling process without a real estate agent.  Make sure you check out the cost of selling your house without an agent first though!

Do I Need To Style My Home Before Selling It?

While professional home staging and styling are not strictly necessary to sell a home in 2026, ensuring that your house looks beautiful in photos and videos — and, of course, in person — is essential. 

For this reason, we advise working with a professional photographer or videographer who can take sleek, polished shots and clips of your house. This can help you focus on specific rooms or details that might be particularly attractive to your target buyers.

Get Ready To Sell Your House in 2026

Hopefully, this guide has answered many of your questions and helped put some of your fears at rest. But if you need more help, tips, and resources on selling a house in 2026, we’ve got you covered. Reach out, we’d love to help you!