Boots on the Ground: My Real Estate Conversations Around the Christmas Tree & at Year End

I’ll be totally honest — I thought I’d be relaxing between Christmas and New Year’s this week. Instead, I’m en route to a home inspection, putting together a listing packet for a condo slated for early 2026, and getting asked the same question over and over:

“How’s the market?”

And it’s not just casual small talk. People actually want to know.

That tells me something right out of the gate — there’s real interest building, not just idle curiosity.

But Here’s the Thing: the Data Backs It Up

Just this week, the **National Association of Realtors reported that U.S. pending home sales shot up in November to their highest level in nearly three years. Let’s break that down:

📊 Contracts to buy previously owned homes rose:

• 3.3% from October — beating expectations of a modest 1.0% gain. Reuters

• 2.6% higher than a year ago. Reuters

  
  

Those percentage gains might not sound dramatic at first glance, but this is how real market momentum kicks off. It’s the strongest level of signed contracts since February 2023 — and that’s a meaningful shift. Reuters

Why is this important? Pending sales reflect signed contracts — not homes that might sell, but homes where buyers and sellers have agreed and are moving toward closing. It’s one of the best early indicators we have for actual market activity about a month or two down the road.

What’s Fueling This?

According to economists and market observers:

🏠 Improving affordability: Mortgage rates have eased a bit, with the latest average for a 30-year fixed mortgage around 6.18% — the lowest since fall 2024. Reuters

📈 Wage growth outpacing home price growth: This gives buyers more confidence because monthly payments feel less crushing relative to income. Reuters

📍 More inventory than a year ago: Even though winter typically brings fewer listings, buyers right now have more choices than they’ve had in recent seasons. National Association of REALTORS®

What I’m Actually Seeing Locally

The national numbers reflect what I’m experiencing in real time:

• Buyers are actively planning moves, not just passively watching listings

• Sellers are thinking ahead to spring 2026 opportunities

• Conversations aren’t about “waiting to see” — they’re about when to act

  
  

That aligns with the data and gives me confidence that this isn’t just noise.

So What Does This Mean for You?

This isn’t a full-on frenzy. But it is a shift:

👉 Buyer momentum is building — more contracts are being signed than we’ve seen in years. Reuters

👉 Affordability improvements are pulling people back in. Reuters

👉 Signed contracts typically lead to closings 30–60 days later — meaning early 2026 could see noticeably more activity.

In short? This market feels more alive and the numbers are starting to confirm it.

Final Thought

If you’ve been quietly wondering whether now is a good time to buy or sell next year, you’re not alone — and the data suggests your instincts are worth paying attention to.

If you want to talk timing, prices, or strategy heading into 2026 — just reach out.