What will the housing market look like in 2026, and how can buyers, sellers and investors prepare now? This week on Real Estate Today, we look ahead to the next phase of the real estate market as leading economists and top industry voices share their outlook for the year ahead. From long-term housing trends to economic forces shaping homeownership, our guests break down what to expect and how those shifts could impact decisions to buy, sell or invest.

Guests include Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®; Matt Vernon, head of consumer lending at Bank of America; Nadia Evangelou, senior economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of REALTORS®; and Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we break down three home design trends making waves right now: unfitted kitchens, also known as freestanding kitchens; curved silhouettes in kitchens, from islands to doorways; and beige-on-beige color schemes.

Real Estate Forecast: What's Coming in 2026