Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast Zillow's 2026 Housing Market Forecast: Best Markets & Trends with Orphe Divounguy
Feb 3, 2026
Orphe Divounguy, Zillow senior economist who crafts data-driven housing forecasts. He explores affordability improvements, markets gaining inventory and buyer opportunity, and why 2026 could deliver small wins as price growth flattens. He also covers shifting renter demographics, rental supply effects, and which metros may see the strongest rebounds.
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Affordability Improving From Three Factors
- Housing affordability has improved recently due to lower mortgage rates, rising incomes, and flat price growth.
- Zillow finds the typical monthly mortgage payment fell about 5.2% year-over-year, improving buyer access.
Where Affordability Is Actually Getting Better
- Markets with big inventory increases and price corrections show the largest affordability gains.
- Examples include Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix and some Southeast markets.
Rates Drive Buying Momentum
- Mortgage-rate movements drive buyer activity and sentiment more than almost anything else.
- Orphe calls 2026 a "year of small wins" as sidelined buyers return amid modest improvements.