History Proves the Housing Market Always Bounces Back

If you’ve been watching the housing market closely or maybe even considering selling your home, you’ve probably noticed things have slowed down. Many homeowners are deciding to pull their listings when they don’t sell at the price they hoped for.

In fact, according to Realtor.com, the number of sellers pulling their homes off the market is up 38% since the start of the year and 48% compared to last June. For every 100 new listings in June, 21 homes were removed from the market.

If you’ve made that same choice, it’s understandable. It’s frustrating when the market feels like it’s working against you. But here’s the thing: history shows us time and time again that slowdowns are only temporary.

Proof from the Past: Markets Always Rebound

This isn’t the first time housing has hit a wall. Let’s look back:

• 1980s: Mortgage rates shot up past 18%. Sales nearly froze. But once rates dropped, the market roared back to life.

• 2008: The Great Financial Crisis was brutal. Home values plummeted, sales collapsed, and yet when the economy steadied buyers returned, and the market regained momentum.

• 2020: At the height of COVID, home sales virtually disappeared overnight. But within months, we saw one of the fastest housing rebounds in history.

The lesson is clear: downturns aren’t permanent.

Today’s Market: Why Sales Are Sluggish

Over the past couple of years, the affordability crunch has hit buyers hard. Mortgage rates climbed rapidly in 2022, and home prices kept rising at the same time. That one-two punch pushed many people out of the market, slowing sales across the board.

But slow doesn’t mean stopped. The cycle is already setting up for change.

What’s Ahead: The Outlook for 2026

Here’s the encouraging news: major forecasters like Fannie Mae, MBA, and NAR all project a rebound starting as soon as 2026.

Last year, just about 4 million homes sold (shown in gray in the graph below) and this year is looking very similar (shown in blue). But the average of the latest forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) show the experts believe there will be around 4.6 million home sales in 2026 (shown in green).

And the main reason? Mortgage rates are expected to ease, opening the door for more buyers to re-enter the market.

Just like in the past, today’s slowdown is part of the cycle. It’s a pause not a permanent stop.

What This Means for You

If you’ve hit pause on selling your home, you’re not alone. Your choice was reasonable in the moment. But keep in mind: history is on your side. The market doesn’t stay stuck forever.

The key is staying prepared. When conditions shift and they will, you’ll want to be ready to act quickly and confidently. That’s why connecting with a trusted real estate agent now, even during the lull, can position you for success when momentum returns.

A Quick Word from WeatherTek Roofing

If part of your hesitation is that your home might need upgrades before it goes back on the market, don’t overlook your roof. A strong, attractive roof is one of the biggest curb-appeal boosters and adds serious buyer confidence.

At WeatherTek Home Exteriors, we help homeowners maximize value with roof repairs and replacements designed to impress. If you’re thinking of relisting in the coming years, let us help you get ahead of the curve.

Bottom Line

The housing market may feel sluggish today, but history tells us it’s only temporary. Every slowdown—from the 1980s, to 2008, to 2020—eventually gave way to a rebound. This time will be no different.

So, whether you’re holding off for now or considering making a move sooner, stay informed, stay connected, and above all—stay ready. The next wave of buyers is coming, and you won’t want to miss it.

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