History Proves the Housing Market Always Bounces Back
With the market cooling, many homeowners who haven’t gotten the price they wanted are deciding to withdraw their listings. Realtor.com reports that the number of homes being taken off the market has jumped 38% since the beginning of this year and 48% compared to last June. In fact, for every 100 new listings in June, about 21 were removed.
If you’ve done the same, it’s understandable to feel discouraged. It’s tough when the market doesn’t seem to work in your favor. But while slowdowns can be frustrating, history reminds us that they’re never permanent.
History Repeats: Evidence from the Past
This isn’t the first time the housing market has slowed. Here are a few major examples:
1980s: Mortgage rates soared above 18%, stalling buyers and dragging sales for years. But once rates dropped, the market quickly regained momentum.
2008: The Global Financial Crisis triggered one of the harshest housing slumps ever, with both sales and prices falling steeply. Yet, once the economy stabilized, sales rebounded.
2020: At the height of the pandemic, transactions froze overnight, and many plans were delayed. Still, the rebound was faster than anticipated, with a surge of demand as soon as restrictions eased.
The takeaway? No matter the challenge, the market has always come back.
Today’s Market: What’s Happening Now
In recent years, housing activity has been muted, largely due to affordability issues. Mortgage rates skyrocketed in 2022 while prices climbed simultaneously. That double hit put buying out of reach for many, reducing demand and, in turn, sales.
Looking Ahead: Why Things Are Expected to Improve
The good news is that forecasts point to a turnaround heading into 2026.
Last year, home sales came in at about 4 million (gray on the chart). This year’s pace looks very similar (blue). But the combined outlook from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows sales could reach 4.6 million in 2026 (green).
One major reason behind this optimism is the expectation of declining mortgage rates, which would open the door for more buyers to return.
This cycle isn’t new—we’ve seen it before. Each past slowdown was followed by renewed activity, and today’s dip will eventually give way as well.
What It Means for You
If you’ve pressed pause on selling, your decision was based on what felt right at the time. Your frustration is valid—but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Market downturns are always temporary.
That’s why working with a trusted real estate agent matters. They’ll track market shifts for you and let you know when the first signs of recovery appear—so you can jump back in with confidence.
Bottom Line
Even though the housing market feels stalled right now, it has never stayed down for good. Slow periods end, demand resurfaces, and momentum builds again.
So, let’s connect—because when the next wave of buyers enters the market, you’ll want to be ready.
As the rebound takes shape, will you be prepared to relist, or is now the right time to make your move?
