Tanya Johnston - Bellator Real Estate

12/25/2025

12/22/2025

The countdown is on! Come enjoy the last days of the Christmas season in one of the most charming places in the South.

12/20/2025

Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.

12/19/2025

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12/19/2025

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Finishing out the year with "Island Time", 48" x 60", oil on canvas. Its been an exceptional year and now I'm off to enjoying the Holidays with my family. Love you all. I truly have the best clients & collectors ever! Merry Christmas. - Kristin

12/12/2025

Do you have questions about Homeowners insurance on the Gulf Coast?

Buying a home on the Alabama Gulf Coast? Learn more about homeowners insurance. Our agents at Bellator Real Estate share tips to find the right coverage.

12/12/2025

November Sales!

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12/11/2025

Have you ever thought about getting a Pre-Listing Home Inspection? Check out this link to answer some of your questions.

https://tanyajohnston.gobellator.com/blog/2025/10/29/pre-listing-home-inspections-should-you-get-one

12/10/2025

Let's talk about your next move!

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11/21/2025

The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026!

After several years of high mortgage rates and hesitation from buyers, momentum is quietly building beneath the surface of the housing market. Sellers are reappearing. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in what feels like forever, there’s movement happening again.
No, it’s not a surge. But it is a shift – and it’s one that could set the stage for a stronger year in 2026.
So, what’s driving the comeback? Here are three big trends that are slowly breathing life back into the housing market right now.
1. Mortgage Rates Have Been Coming Down
Mortgage rates are always going to have their ups and downs – that's just how rates work. Especially with the general economic uncertainty right now, some volatility is to be expected. But, if you zoom out, it’s the larger trend that really matters most.
And overall, rates have been trending down for most of this year. According to Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac:
“On a median-priced home, this could allow a homebuyer to save thousands annually compared to earlier this year, showing that affordability is slowly improving.”
Here's why that matters for you. This shift changes what you can actually afford. It means lower borrowing costs and more buying power. Take this as an example.
Data from Redfin shows a buyer with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford roughly $25,000 more home than they could one year ago. That’s a big deal. And it’s just one of the reasons why activity is picking up.
2. More Homeowners Are Ready To Sell
For a while, many homeowners stayed put because they didn’t want to give up their low mortgage rate. That “lock-in effect” kept inventory tight. And while plenty of homeowners are still staying where they are today, the number of rate-locked homeowners is starting to ease as rates come down. Life changes are becoming a bigger part of what’s driving more people to move, and that’s opening up more inventory.
Data from Realtor.com shows just how much the number of homes for sale has grown. And the really interesting part is that the market is approaching levels that haven’t been seen for the past six years. That return to more normal inventory levels is a really good thing. It gives buyers more options than they’ve had in years. And it’s helping to bring the market closer to balance.
3. More Buyers Are Re-Entering the Market
And it’s not just sellers making moves. With more options and slightly better affordability, buyers are getting back in the game, too. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports purchase applications are up compared to last year, a clear signal that demand is building again
a graph of blue and orange barsAnd experts think this momentum will continue. Economists from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) all forecast moderate sales growth going into 2026.
Now, this recovery won’t happen overnight. It’s not a flood of activity. But it is the start of steady improvement going into 2026. And that's something a lot of people have been waiting for.
Bottom Line
After several slower-than-normal years, the market is finally starting to turn a corner. Declining mortgage rates, more listings, and growing buyer activity all point to a market gaining real traction.
Let’s connect to talk about what’s happening in our local market and how you can make the most of it in 2026!

Tanya Johnston
Bellator Real Estate

Search homes for sale, new construction homes, apartments, and houses for rent. See property values. Shop mortgages.

11/12/2025

Discover Fairhope!

https://tanyajohnston.gobellator.com/fairhope-alabama-real-estate-and-homes.html

11/07/2025

https://tanyajohnston.gobellator.com/