Now that the market is slowing down, homeowners who haven’t sold at the price they were hoping for are increasingly pulling their homes off the market. According to the latest data from Realtor.com, delistings are up 38% since the start of this year and 48% since the same time last June. For every 100 new listings in June, about 21 homes were taken off the market.

If you’ve made that same choice, you’re probably frustrated things didn’t go the way you wanted. It’s hard when you feel like the market isn’t working with you. But while slowdowns can be painful in the moment, history tells us they don’t last forever.

History Repeats Itself: Proof from the Past

This isn’t the first time the housing market has experienced a slowdown. Consider a few notable moments:

• 1980s: When mortgage rates climbed past 18%, buyers stopped cold and sales crawled. As soon as rates fell, sales surged back and the market found its footing.

• 2008: The Great Financial Crisis hit hard. Sales and prices dropped, then rebounded as the broader economy recovered.

• 2020: During COVID, sales disappeared almost overnight. The rebound came faster than expected once restrictions eased.

The takeaway: no matter the cause, the market has always found its way back.

Today’s Situation: Where We Stand Now

Over the past few years, home sales have been sluggish, largely because of affordability. Mortgage rates rose quickly in 2022 while prices were also climbing. That combo put buying out of reach for many households.

When demand cools, sales slow—and that’s what we’ve been living through.

The Outlook: Why Things Will Improve

Here’s the encouraging part: forecasts point to improvement heading into 2026.

Last year, about 4 million homes sold. This year looks similar. But the average of recent forecasts from Fannie Mae, MBA, and NAR suggests around 4.6 million sales in 2026.

A major reason behind that projection: expectations that mortgage rates ease enough to bring more buyers back.

In short: what’s happening now is part of a cycle we’ve seen before. Every slowdown eventually gives way to more activity—and this one will, too.

What That Means for You

If you’ve paused your plans, you did what felt right. Your frustration is valid. But remember the bigger picture: housing slowdowns don’t last forever.

This is where your local real estate agent earns their keep—tracking the data, spotting early shifts, and helping you relist with confidence when momentum returns.

Quick recap:
• Today = slower sales and elevated affordability challenges
• Near future = easing rates and improving activity
• Your move = be ready to act when demand ticks up

Bottom Line

If today’s market feels stuck, it won’t stay that way. Slowdowns end, activity returns, and buyers reappear.

As activity picks up again, will you be ready to put your house back on the market—or do you need to move sooner? To connect with me directly, contact me at 917-254-2103. For your FREE Home evaluation to learn the value of your home, your Homeowner Resource Guide, or your Home Buying/Down Payment Assistance Guide, use this link: https://bit.ly/45URvuV or text HomeswithJustin to 85377.