Economists and title agency professionals told The Title Report they are not anticipating huge shifts in the housing and title insurance industries this year. They generally expect the markets to trend upward, but the operative words are “steady” and “gradual.”
These professionals said they anticipate mortgage rates will gradually decline, and housing affordability will show moderate improvement as income growth starts to outpace home price changes. In addition, major life events will play a role in bringing some homebuyers to the table.
Experts such as Williston Financial Group Chairman Pat Stone, First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi, Stewart Head of Finance and SVP of Strategic Accounts Jeff Lanier, Redfin Head of Economics Research Chen Zhao, Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather, Futura Title and Escrow Senior Vice President, Chief Business Development Officer and National Division Manager Jenny Martin and Equity National Title President James O’Donnell offered their perspectives on what they expect to see in housing and title in 2026.
Stone said he is “generally more optimistic” about the housing market in 2026 than he was a year earlier because he believes the disruption and uncertainty caused by federal policy changes will decline, as well as concerns about changes in valuations.
Kushi added she expects affordability to get better because incomes are forecasted to rise and home prices will cool, while demand for homes will be shaped by milestones instead of spreadsheets.
Zhao and Fairweather emphasized the new year will mark the beginning of a multi-year time frame where affordability will slowly improve as home sales gradually increase and prices normalize.
Noting the Fed focuses its energy on inflation and unemployment, Lanier said whichever issue the agency tackles first will affect the housing market. However, he added he believes that structural affordability and supply shortages could be the “bigger drivers” of housing dynamics.
O’Donnell said he expects interest rates to decline a little bit more during 2026.
“It looks like interest rates are going to improve meaningfully enough to have a positive impact,” he said. “…Maybe high 5s, low 6s.”
Martin said her title firm is conservatively estimating that refinance transactions will rise by 10 percent, resales will go up by 7 percent and construction will stay flat.
For more from Stone, Kushi, Lanier, Zhao, Fairweather, O’Donnell and Martin, read the full story in the 2026 State of the Industry report, available here as a free download.
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