09/21/2026
US Home Prices Face Real Value Erosion |
As both a real estate agent and a homeowner, Iâm always tuned in to how shifts in the market can affect not just property values, but also the real lives and plans of buyers and sellers. Recently, US home prices continued to edge up in dollarsâyet when we look closer, one key federal index actually leveled off from mid- to late-Q2 2026 after seasonal adjustment. Another national measure showed year-over-year appreciation at about 1.5% in late Q2 (a slight bump from 1% mid-Q2), but thatâs still lagging behind inflation, which hovered near 3.5%. This means, after adjusting for inflation, real home values dipped for the 13th consecutive month. The good news: with inflation cooling and nominal price gains holding steadier, the pace of this real-value erosion has slowed.
Itâs noteworthy that one federal index has shown positive annual appreciation every quarter since early 2012, highlighting the resilience of home prices over the long haulâeven when inflation presents new challenges. As we move into the second half of the year, affordability remains front and centerâtypical monthly payments for existing single-family homes have climbed again, making things especially tough for first-time buyers. This is where my expertise, especially as an Accredited Buyerâs Representative (ABR) and Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), helps clients understand the numbers behind the headlines. Whether youâre buying your first home or considering your next move, Iâm here to make sure youâre informed and confident every step of the way.