Is 2026 Finally the Year Home Buyers Get a Break? What the Market Is Telling Us

For the last few years, it’s felt like home buyers were running uphill in a headwind. Higher mortgage rates. Low inventory. Homes selling fast. And plenty of frustration.

But here’s the big question real estate experts across the country are asking right now:

Is 2026 finally the year the market starts to tilt back toward buyers?

At Home Team 605 pwrd by Krogman & Company Real Estate, we’re watching this shift closely here in Brookings and across South Dakota. And the early signs are pretty interesting.

What’s Happening Nationally Right Now

Across the U.S., several key changes are happening at once:

• Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest levels in over three years

• Housing inventory is slowly increasing

• …

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Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market

If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months, it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market. But when you look at the full picture, a few simple truths become clear:

• Today’s foreclosure numbers are in line with what’s considered normal
• High home equity is keeping most homeowners in a strong financial position
• None of the data points to a big wave of distressed sales that’ll crash the market

Foreclosure Filings Are Up 32%, But That Doesn’t Mean the Market’s in Trouble

If you peel the layers all the way back, what everyone is actually worried about is that we’re headed for a repeat of what happened in 2008. Back then, riskier lending practices and an…

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Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell

Planning to sell this spring? While you may be tempted to hold off until the first blooms or the spring showers hit, that's actually waiting too long to get started by today’s standards.

Buyers have more options than they did a few years ago. So, it's worth it to tackle repairs now and make sure your house is set up to stand out. Because you don’t want to be caught scrambling right before the spring rush. Or, running out of time to do the work your house really needs. 

The key is focusing on updates that actually matter. And that’s exactly where return-on-investment (ROI) data comes in handy.

Which Projects Tend to Pay Off?

Every year, Zonda looks at which home improvements deliver the most bang for the buck when you go to sell the…

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Why “Days on Market” Matters More Than Price in Today’s Real Estate Market

When most people look at a home for sale, the first thing they notice is the price. Makes sense. But in today’s real estate market, there’s another number that may tell you even more about a property than the price itself:

Days on Market (DOM).

At Home Team 605, we’re having more conversations than ever about what days on market really means — and how buyers and sellers should be using it to their advantage.

What Is “Days on Market,” Really?

Days on market simply refers to how long a home has been listed for sale before going under contract. But what it signals can vary depending on market conditions.

In a fast-paced seller’s market, low DOM often means strong demand.
In a more balanced market, higher DOM doesn’t…

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Are Big Investors Really Buying Up All the Homes? Here’s the Truth.

It’s hard to scroll online lately without seeing some version of this claim:

And honestly, if you’re a homebuyer who’s lost out on a few offers, that idea probably sounds believable. When homes are expensive and competition is tight, it’s easy to assume giant companies are scooping everything up behind the scenes.

But here’s the thing: what people assume is happening and what the data actually shows aren’t always the same.

Let’s look at what’s really happening with large institutional investors in today’s housing market – because the numbers tell a much different story than the headlines.

The Number Most People Won’t See Online

Let’s start with the most important stat. According to…

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Open House-1907 Council Ridge Rd-Brookings SD

1907 Council Ridge Road, Brookings, SD

Open House

• Property Video
• Description
• Photos
• Marketing Your Home
• Real Estate Reports for Home Owners, Sellers & Buyers!
• Maps & Local
• More

Welcome home to this well-maintained, one-owner property in the desirable Indian Hills neighborhood. This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers a smart, functional layout with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy everyday living. One of the full bathrooms includes a convenient pass-through to the primary bedroom, creating a semi-private suite feel.You’ll love the bright kitchen featuring an island and great workspace, along with a large primary bedroom and an…

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106 W South St-Badger SD Open House

106 W South St, Badger, SD

Open House

• 3D Virtual Tour
• Lifestyle Video
• Description
• Photos
• Marketing Your Home
• Real Estate Reports for Home Owners, Sellers & Buyers!
• More

Enjoy small-town living in Badger, SD, with this large mobile home on its own lot, offering 1,758 sq ft, including multiple additions. The home features comfortable living areas filled with natural light, plus a charming solarium-perfect for relaxing year-round. Step outside to not one, but two decks ideal for entertaining or enjoying quiet mornings. A 2-stall garage provides ample storage and parking. This property blends indoor comfort with outdoor enjoyment,…

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The Credit Score Myth That’s Holding Would-Be Buyers Back

Would-be homebuyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy. They’re sitting out because they think they can’t. And sometimes, it’s their credit score that’s holding them back.

According to a Bankrate survey, 2 out of every 5 (42%) Americans believe you need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage. That may be why, when renters are asked why they don’t own yet, “my credit isn’t good enough” comes up often.

Maybe you’re in the same boat. You look at your score, see it’s not where you want it to be, and assume buying your first place just isn’t realistic right now.

But here’s what you need to know.

Even though a lot of people assume you need flawless credit to buy a house, that’s not necessarily the case.

You…

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Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026

Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news? It’s finally happening.

In 2025, affordability was the best it’s been in 3 years. And experts agree the momentum will keep going in 2026. And that’s based on their analysis of the key factors shaping the housing market in the year ahead: mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices.

Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here 

Mortgage rates have already come down from their peak. By some counts, they dropped by almost a full percentage…

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The #1 Regret Sellers Have When They Don’t Use an Agent

Want to know the #1 thing homeowners regret when they sell without an agent? It’s that they didn’t price their house correctly for their current market.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), those sellers agree pricing their home effectively was the hardest part of the process.

Top 5 Most Difficult Task for Sellers Who Didn’t Use an Agent:

1. Getting the price right
2. Preparing or fixing up the house
3. Selling within the desired time frame
4. Handling all the legal documents
5. Finding the time to manage all aspects of the sale

And that makes sense. Pricing isn’t as simple as picking a number from an online estimate or copying what your neighbor got last year. It takes real insight into:

…

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