Housing supply could be the biggest factor shaping the 2026 peak buying season. In this episode, we break down why inventory matters so much, how it impacts buyer competition, seller leverage, home prices, and what today’s market signals could mean for anyone planning to buy or sell a home.

The spring housing market is usually the busiest time of year, but when housing supply does not show up the way buyers expect, everything changes. Fewer listings can keep competition elevated, limit buyer choices, and prevent prices from softening in markets where demand is still active. At the same time, higher mortgage rates, economic uncertainty, and hesitant sellers can create a confusing market where buyers are unsure whether to move forward or wait.

In this conversation, we explain what is happening with housing inventory, why supply and demand still drive the real estate market, and how buyers should think about strategy heading into the next peak buying season. We also discuss why local market conditions matter, how leverage can shift between buyers and sellers, and why waiting for the “perfect” market could come with tradeoffs.

If you are planning to buy a home in 2026, this episode will help you better understand what to watch, how to prepare, and why getting clear on your financing, budget, and local market strategy matters before competition heats up.

✅ Ready to buy a house in 2026? Start your stress-free journey today: theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why housing supply has a huge impact on peak buying season
• How low inventory affects homebuyers and sellers
• Why mortgage rates influence buyer demand
• What happens when sellers hesitate to list their homes
• How to think about buying a home in a changing market
• Why local real estate conditions matter more than national headlines
• How to prepare for buying a house in 2026

Subscribe to The Educated HomeBuyer for clear, honest, and practical guidance on buying right, borrowing smart, and building wealth through real estate.

Zillow just downgraded its housing market forecast—so what does that really mean for home prices, mortgage rates, inventory, and buyers in today’s market?

In this episode of The Educated Home Buyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down Zillow’s latest housing market forecast and explain why the headline matters, what “flat” home price growth could mean nationwide, and why local real estate markets may behave very differently from national averages.

If you’ve been wondering whether the housing market is cooling, whether home prices are about to fall, or how interest rates and inventory are shaping buyer and seller behavior, this video gives you a practical, no-hype explanation of what’s happening right now.

The discussion covers Zillow’s revised projection for year-over-year home price growth, why many markets are expected to remain relatively flat, and why some areas in the Northeast may continue to outperform while other regions could see softer pricing. Jeb and Josh also discuss active inventory trends, pending home sales, price reductions, and the relationship between the 10-year Treasury and mortgage rates—giving you a broader look at the forces driving the housing market today.

This episode is especially helpful for:

• First-time homebuyers trying to understand whether now is a good time to buy
• Move-up buyers watching rates, inventory, and affordability
• Homeowners wondering what Zillow’s forecast means for their home value
• Anyone following real estate trends, housing market predictions, and mortgage rate movement

In this video, we cover:

• Zillow’s downgraded housing market forecast and what “flat” price growth really means
• Why national housing data can be misleading for local markets
• Current housing inventory trends across the U.S., Orange County, and Huntington Beach
• What pending sales and price reductions are telling us about buyer demand
• How mortgage spreads and the 10-year Treasury influence mortgage rates
• Why uncertainty, affordability pressure, and limited supply continue to shape the market

If you want to make better real estate decisions in today’s market, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on the numbers that actually matter.

✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today:
http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

📩 Email:
info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

💻 Website:
http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com

=========================================

Connect with me 👇
Jeb Smith
DRE 01407449
Real Broker

Connect with me 👇
Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert)
DRE 01209148
Buywise Mortgage
M: 714-916-5727

About The Educated Home Buyer:
The Educated Home Buyer is your resource for learning how to buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth through real estate. Each episode is designed to help buyers and homeowners better understand the housing market, mortgage financing, affordability, interest rates, and long-term homeownership strategy.

Topics covered on this channel include:

• Housing market updates
• Mortgage rate analysis
• Real estate trends
• Home buying tips
• First-time buyer education
• Home affordability and financing strategies
• Orange County real estate insights

Watch this video if you’re searching for:

• Zillow housing market forecast
• housing market update
• will home prices go down
• mortgage rate update
• real estate market forecast 2026
• housing inventory update
• is now a good time to buy a house
• Orange County housing market

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly housing market updates, mortgage guidance, and homebuyer education designed to help you make confident decisions in any market.

Everyone thought the housing market was about to take off this spring… but the exact opposite is happening.

Sales are down, inventory growth is slowing, and first-time home buyers just hit the lowest level ever recorded. So what’s really going on? Is the housing market actually stalled, or are people just misunderstanding what the data is telling us?

In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, Jeb and Josh break down what’s happening in today’s housing market, why this spring hasn’t looked the way many expected, and what it means if you’re trying to buy a home right now. You’ll get a clear, no-hype explanation of the trends shaping the market so you can make smarter decisions with more confidence.

If you’re watching mortgage rates, waiting for more inventory, or wondering whether now is the right time to buy, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters.

✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today: theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start