This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP®, welcomes Dave Cary, Realtor and Owner of Prime Real Estate, to discuss the current state of the housing market, recent real estate trends, housing inventory, and what buyers and sellers may want to expect moving forward. In this episode, Mike and Dave explore current housing market conditions, the outlook for mortgage interest rates, trends in home prices, and the factors influencing new home sales and the broader real estate market. The housing market is influenced by a wide range of factors, including mortgage interest rates, housing supply and demand, economic conditions, construction costs, consumer confidence, and affordability. Understanding how these factors interact can help prospective buyers, homeowners, and sellers make more informed real estate decisions. Mike and Dave break down the key developments shaping today's housing market and discuss what current conditions could mean for people looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate. One of the biggest factors affecting the real estate market is housing inventory. The availability of homes for sale can influence competition among buyers, the amount of negotiating power sellers have, and the direction of home prices. At the same time, mortgage interest rates continue to play an important role in determining affordability, influencing monthly mortgage payments, and shaping buyer demand. Mike and Dave discuss how these factors are affecting the housing market and what they could mean for the future of residential real estate. In this episode, you'll learn about: The current state of the 2026 housing market Current housing inventory and home supply Mortgage interest rates and future outlook How interest rates affect home affordability Current sales prices of new houses New construction versus existing home sales Trends in home prices and buyer demand What buyers and sellers should expect Key factors shaping the future of real estate Whether now is a good time to buy or sell a home The episode also explores the connections between mortgage rates, housing inventory, new home construction, residential real estate prices, affordability, buyer demand, and broader economic conditions. Understanding these relationships can help individuals better evaluate the housing market, recognize potential opportunities, and make more informed decisions about buying or selling a home. Whether you're interested in the 2026 housing market outlook, current real estate trends, housing inventory levels, mortgage interest rate predictions, new home sales prices, home affordability, or the best time to buy or sell a house, this episode of Financial Planning: Explained offers valuable insights from an experienced real estate professional. If you've ever wondered, “What is the current state of the housing market?”, “Will home prices go up or down in 2026?”, “How much housing inventory is currently available?”, “Where are mortgage interest rates headed?”, “Are new home prices coming down?”, or “Is now a good time to buy or sell a house?”, this episode provides real-world perspectives and useful information to help you better understand today's real estate market. Financial Planning: Explained is designed to make financial planning and investment concepts easier to understand, offering real-world insights into investing, retirement planning, tax planning, cash management, debt management, wealth management, real estate, financial markets, economic trends, and other important financial decisions. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit: https://maaplanning.com Michael Menninger, CFP®, is the host and founder of Menninger & Associates and brings real-world financial planning experience to each episode of Financial Planning: Explained. Dave Cary is a Realtor and Owner of Prime Real Estate, bringing his experience and perspective on residential real estate, housing market conditions, home buying, home selling, and current real estate trends.