Hey community!
As 2025 winds down, the U.S. housing market is showing clear signs of where it's headed next. New data from the last two weeks highlights a shift toward stabilization, not acceleration. While national headlines talk about falling home values, flat price forecasts, and REIT sector rebounds, the real question is: what does this mean for your business as a wholesaler or investor?
In this post, we break down the most relevant news with practical takeaways to help you navigate today’s cooling-but-opportunistic market.
1. Economists Predict a 'Reset,' Not a Rebound in 2026 Housing Market
Source: Real Estate News, Dec 4, 2025
Top housing economists agree: 2026 isn’t likely to deliver a housing boom. Instead, expect a “reset” with home prices staying relatively flat and only modest increases in sales volume. Mortgage rates could drift downward but not dramatically enough to reverse affordability pressures.
🎯 Why It Matters: For wholesalers and investor-buyers, this is a signal to remain strategic. With no major appreciation expected, it's critical to focus on strong underwriting, sustainable cash flow, and long-term plays over speculative flips. This market rewards operators who can find motivated sellers and make conservative offers.
2. Over Half of U.S. Homes Lost Value in the Past Year
Source: Axios, Dec 8, 2025
A recent report shows that approximately 53% of homes in the U.S. have declined in value year-over-year, the sharpest drop since 2012. Regions hit hardest include parts of the West and South.
🎯 Why It Matters: If you're wholesaling or flipping, comps may be moving targets in these cooling markets. While this presents a challenge, it also opens up opportunities for investors to negotiate deeper discounts and find value in distressed or mispriced assets. It’s crucial to know your market and lead with data.
3. REITs Poised for a Turnaround in 2026
Source: Seeking Alpha, Dec 1, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) could see a strong 2026 thanks to tight supply and sector-specific demand shifts, particularly in industrial, data, and specialized commercial spaces. Despite continued office-sector weakness, many REITs are expected to outperform.
🎯 Why It Matters: If you're investing beyond single-family homes or evaluating passive strategies, this REIT trend could be worth exploring. For wholesalers, these trends may influence demand from institutional buyers or high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term income-producing assets.
💡 Final Thoughts for the Investorlift Community
The next wave of opportunities may not come from rising prices, but from increased clarity. As the market stabilizes, the ability to move quickly on well-vetted deals, work with motivated sellers, and structure win-win outcomes will separate the best from the rest.
Keep your comps current, your underwriting conservative, and your outreach aggressive. Let Investorlift do the heavy lifting on lead generation and disposition so you can focus on executing.
What’s your take on this market shift?
Drop a comment below and let the community know how you're adjusting for 2026.👇🏻