Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about home prices, and I’ve been keeping a close eye on what’s happening—especially since so many of my clients in New Jersey are first-time buyers or navigating unique situations like foreclosure or divorce settlements. In Q2 2026, home prices kept moving up on paper, but when you look deeper, one federal index actually leveled off from mid- to late-Q2 after adjusting for seasonal factors. Nationally, prices appreciated about 1.5% by late Q2 (up from 1% earlier), but that’s still about two percentage points behind inflation, which is near 3.5%. This means that, after inflation, home values have dropped for 13 months in a row—though the pace has slowed thanks to steadier prices and less inflation. Even so, one federal measure has shown positive growth every quarter since early 2012, so nominal values remain surprisingly steady against all odds. As we head into the latter half of the year, affordability is still the biggest challenge, especially with typical monthly payments on existing single-family homes rising again—making things even tougher for first-time buyers. My role is to help you understand these shifts, so you can make smart decisions and tap into valuable programs like down payment assistance (sometimes up to $37,000 in NJ). Whether you’re buying, selling, or facing complex circumstances, I’m here with the perspective and options you need.
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