The housing market isn’t crashing or reversing — it’s stabilizing after a 50% jump in prices since 2019. But that stability comes with a new challenge: affordability. With rates high, incomes lagging, and inventory tight, buyers are waiting longer than ever to enter the market, and nearly half of all movers now relocate primarily for cost of living. As we head into 2026, navigating affordability — not predicting a crash — is the defining factor for buyers and sellers alike.