09/21/2026
US Home Prices Face Real Value Erosion | Live where you vacation!
It’s no secret that home prices in the US keep inching higher, even as the real story is a bit more complex beneath the surface. In Q2 2026, while prices continued their steady climb, one key federal index actually held flat month-to-month after adjusting for the usual seasonal ups and downs. Nationally, we saw yearly home price appreciation improve to about 1.5% in late Q2 (up from around 1% earlier in the quarter), but this is still lagging behind inflation, which hovered near 3.5%. That means—once you factor in inflation—real home values have slipped for the 13th month in a row. The good news? Softer inflation and firmer nominal price increases have slowed that slide.
What stands out to me is that one federal measure has shown positive annual appreciation every quarter since early 2012, a testament to just how resilient nominal prices have been, even with real-value pressures. As we move into the second half of the year, affordability remains front and center. Typical monthly payments for existing single-family homes have continued to climb, making it tougher for first-time buyers to get a foot in the door.
Here in Naples and Marco Island, I always keep an eye on these trends to help buyers and sellers cut through the noise and focus on what really matters—like finding a home where every day feels like a getaway. If you’re curious about how these shifts could affect your next move, let’s talk about the facts that matter most to you. After all, live where you vacation isn’t just a saying—it’s a way of life here.