09/21/2026
US Home Prices Face Real Value Erosion
With over 28 years guiding clients through the ups and downs of the real estate market in North and South Carolina, I’m always keeping a close eye on trends that shape your buying and selling experience. Recently, US home prices have continued to rise on paper, but it's important to look beyond the headlines: while one federal index remained flat from mid to late Q2 (after seasonal adjustments), a national index showed a modest annual appreciation of around 1.5%—an uptick from 1% earlier in Q2, but still about 2% below the current inflation rate of 3.5%. This means that, when adjusted for inflation, home values have actually declined for the 13th consecutive month. On the bright side, slower inflation and slightly stronger price gains have eased the pace of this real value erosion. Since early 2012, one key federal measure has continued to report positive annual appreciation each quarter, proving nominal home prices are holding up—even as affordability remains a challenge. As we move into the year's second half, increased monthly payments on existing single-family homes are squeezing first-time buyers the most. As someone who’s passionate about guiding you through every step, I’m always here to help you make sense of the numbers and what they mean for your next move.