Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market in Maryland and Baltimore
If a move is on your radar for 2026 and you’re watching the Maryland or Baltimore market closely, there’s more working in your favor than there has been in quite some time.
After several years where many buyers and sellers felt stuck on the sidelines, 2026 is shaping up to bring more balance, more options, and more clarity. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are finally starting to shift in a healthier direction.
National economists are aligned on this outlook. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, notes that after a challenging period for buyers, sellers, and renters, 2026 should bring a modest but meaningful step toward a healthier housing market. The National Association of Realtors echoes this, describing 2026 with one word: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open the market after years of stagnation.
That matters locally. In Baltimore and surrounding Maryland communities, limited inventory has been one of the biggest obstacles for both buyers and sellers. As more homes come to market, buyers gain choice and negotiating room, while sellers benefit from steadier, more predictable demand instead of the pressure-cooker conditions we saw in previous years.
Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, points out that income growth is expected to outpace home price appreciation, which helps improve buying power even if rates don’t drop dramatically. Affordability may not snap back overnight, but the direction is finally improving. Zillow’s Chief Economist, Mischa Fisher, adds that buyers are already benefiting from more inventory and improved affordability, while sellers are seeing price stability rather than sharp swings.
Why local insight matters more than ever is especially true in Maryland. Baltimore City, waterfront neighborhoods, and surrounding counties are all moving at different speeds. According to Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant, 2026 may be one of the most geographically divided housing markets in years, with performance hinging on local economic conditions.
That means national headlines only tell part of the story. What’s happening on your block, in your neighborhood, and within your price range is what really matters.
Bottom line, if you’re considering buying or selling in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland in 2026, this market is shaping up to offer more breathing room and better strategy opportunities. If you want to talk through what these trends could mean for your specific area, let’s connect.