New Zillow Forecast: Best and Worst Housing Markets of 2026
On The Market
Hottest Markets Driven by Affordability
Dave reviews Realtor.com's hottest-market list and argues affordability is the key driver of continued demand.
The national housing correction is here but your results will be decided locally. Some markets are cooling gently, others are slipping fast, and a few affordable metros are still running warm. So where does that leave buy-and-hold, flips, STRs, and BRRRRs? We map the dramatic regional split, Midwest/Northeast steadier, Gulf Coast/Texas under pressure, and show how to match your strategy to on-the-ground realities like inventory, rent growth, and affordability.
You’ll hear why “flat prices + rising rents” can be a green light for cash flow, when to take a calculated swing in oversold-but-strong-fundamentals cities (think Austin/Nashville/Dallas), and where supply and insurance costs are pushing deeper discounts (hello, Florida). We also dig into metro-level forecasts into 2026 and why your underwriting should look different in Milwaukee than in Miami.
In This Episode We Cover
Local > national: why the same correction looks totally different by region and price tier
Affordability & supply: the two signals driving winners and laggards (and how to measure both)
Hottest vs. coolest markets: where buyers have leverage and where demand still pops
Rents vs. prices: pairing flat/declining prices with rising rents to improve cash flow
Risk-on vs. risk-off playbooks: conservative buy boxes vs. opportunistic dips in strong cities
Flipping in a slowdown: wider spreads, longer days-on-market, how to price and pace
Forecasts into 2026: what recent metro projections imply for your next 3 - 12 months of deals
Hold or sell? Handling “paper losses,” market selection, and underwriting for a slower cycle
Links from the Show
Join the Future of Real Estate Investing with Fundrise
Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area
Find Investor-Friendly Lenders
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/on-the-market-369
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