The media is swamped with advice about the 2026 housing market. There’s expert consensus it will be a restructuring year. Mortgage rates are stabilizing; inventory is growing, and the outlook points to improved conditions for buyers. 

To some, that means stability and a better all-around marker. To others, it signals a big downturn punctuated with declining prices.  

Depending on where you look, there’s data to back up both stories. Look at the conditions in some Mid-West and western metros and a downturn looms. Readjust the focus to the Tri-Cities, and the opposite dominates data-based observations because the Tri-Cities is geared towards a balanced market. 

What should be at the top of the consumer agenda in the walk-up to the prime season is finding and partnering with the right Realtor® who can and will make sense of local conditions for their clients. It’s the single most significant thing consumers should do to make the process easier and more profitable. Here it is: 

In short, those getting ready to jump into this improving market should interview, select and partner with a local professional Realtor®. 

Study after study shows sellers who use a professional consistently net a better price than those who go it alone. Buyers also reap rewards. That may seem like a contradiction in an era when technology offers advanced communications and marketing abilities.

But it’s not, and here’s why. 

Last year, the folks at the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) compiled a list of 179 things Realtors® do for their clients that make them worth every penny of their compensation. It’s just as significant in 2026 as it was last year. And the list is more than just an explanation of a Realtor’s® worth. It’s an insider look at what’s involved in the often-over-simplified process of a real estate transaction. A copy can be found on the NETAR website at https://netar.us/why-realtors-are-worth-every-penny-of-their-compensation/  

Use of Realtors® is at an all-time high because savvy consumers see the advantage and need to have a pro in their corner. At the same time, the Realtor®-client relationship continues evolving. This makes sense because it’s not like most other business relationships. In many ways, it’s more complicated and very personal. That’s why it’s important to shop around and find an agent who is a good match. And consumers shouldn’t be timid about interviewing several agents and checking their references. They should also be candid about their expectations and committed to taking the advice of their agent. 

Realtors® specialize just like doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. So, the alphabet soup after a Realtor’s® name on their business card can be a road map to their specialties. Here’s a link to the National Association of Realtors® website that gives detailed information on designations and certifications. http://www.realtor.org/designations-and-certifications 

The best Realtor®-client partnerships happen when the personal chemistry is compatible. Buyers and sellers should step back and test the chemistry issue before making a final decision. Is the prospective agent someone they want to spend time with? Are you comfortable sharing personal and financial information with them? If there are doubts, keep looking. 

In many cases a client and their Realtor® partner will spend a lot of time together before the deal is completed. There will be some hitches. Things will go wrong, and even the best plans get changed. Expect some extra stress. Choosing the right agent will take the edge off the process and make it easier and more successful for everyone concerned.