Before you click “Request a Tour” on Zillow, there’s a step most buyers skip — and it often leads to confusion, pressure, and the wrong team. Here’s the smarter way to approach buying a home so your numbers, approval, and agent are aligned from the start.

You may have seen the headline saying mortgage rates dropped below 6% — but the full story is a lot more nuanced. Let’s break down what really happened and what buyers should know before making moves in 2026.

According to Chelsea Winstead, a multi-state mortgage broker and home-financing strategist, 2026 is quietly becoming one of the most favorable home-buying environments in years — especially for buyers who were priced out during the volatility of 2024–2025.

Georgia’s housing market is cooling — not crashing. 🏠 Homes are sitting on the market a little longer (about 60 days on average), prices have stabilized, and buyers finally have breathing room again. From Atlanta to Savannah, here’s a full breakdown of where the market’s leaning buyer or seller, what’s changing in each city, and how to strategize your next move whether you’re buying, refinancing, or selling.

The 2025 North Carolina housing market is quietly shifting toward buyers. Inventory is up, prices are stabilizing, and sellers are offering incentives again. From Raleigh to Wilmington, discover where buyers have the most leverage — and how to use it before the next wave of demand hits.