Three Stats No One is Talking About
Buffini Coaching LIVE is a free, two-part series that will give you the strategies, tools, and confidence to own 2026 from day one. On Dec. 3, Brian Buffini will share his legendary Bold Predictions for the year ahead in real estate. On Jan. 22 he’ll be joined by industry thought leaders who will share tactics to help you create the breakthroughs, habits and mindset to win. Learn more here.
By Brian Buffini
As the market continues to shift, with mortgage rates starting to slowly drop, there is still a tremendous pent-up demand from those who wish to buy either their first home or a new one. Although not at the record high numbers we saw a few years ago, there are still a projected 4 million homes that will be sold in 2026.
Yet, if recent history repeats itself, most agents will not sell any homes or just sell one or two in the year ahead.
That’s a daunting stat.
But…those houses need to be sold. Clients need strong representation. Are you ready to be the agent they need?
If so, you need the facts. Not click-bait headlines that are being spouted off all over the internet. I’m talking about real, accurate stats and data — with the intel that can back them up.
Here are three hard facts that click bait headlines ignore:
1. Supply and Demand is Stabilizing
If you scroll online, you may think that there are no homes for sale. But while inventory is still low, it is ticking up. For the past few months, we’ve been at about 4.6 months, pretty close to the numbers we saw in 2019. That’s a balanced market, which is traditionally defined as 4-6 months of inventory. In 2026, that number is projected to stay about the same or rise slightly.
2. Mortgage Rates Are Drifting Down
The days of mortgage rates in the 2-3% range are over. Those “artificial” rates were in response to the pandemic and ensuing financial crisis.
Fortunately, it looks like the rates we saw over the last two years, which bumped up against 8%, are also behind us. Right now they are around 6.2% and are projected to stay in that range through 2026.
3. Homeownership Continues to Be Strong
Again, if you’re doomscrolling, you’ll find some suggesting that renting a home is a better option than buying.
But the rate of homeownership continues to be very strong, about in the 65% range, with its highest in 2020 at nearly 68% in 2020 and then dropping slightly in the ensuing years.
Here’s another powerful stat. Homeowners, on average, have 43x times the wealth of non-homeowners.
And there continues to be a pent-up demand from those looking to buy either their first home or a new home. The challenge for real estate professionals and adjacent professions is helping would-be buyers find not only available homes for sale, but also for creative financing options.
Interested to Learn More? Join Me Dec. 3 for a Free, Virtual Event!
I’ll be expanding on these stats and more during our Buffini Coaching LIVE — Bold Predictions event, Wednesday, Dec. 3. I’ll be joined by Kevin O’Leary, aka “Mr. Wonderful” from the hit TV show, Shark Tank, and Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS®.
Get on the fast track for a great year ahead by signing up for this free virtual event. You’ll come away inspired, invigorated and ready to dominate in 2026!
Sign up for your virtual seat today at buffini.com/BCL.
