An industry expert says pent-up demand, millennial buyers, household formations, and record equity are real tailwinds, but affordability still limits traction today.
For 2026, housing starts are expected to keep easing, while repair and remodeling activity may dip toward year-end after recent flat trends.
Lower lumber costs are not viewed as the main unlock; mortgage-rate relief would have a much larger affordability impact for buyers nationally.
Rate lock-in remains central: owners with low-3% mortgages often avoid moving into ~6% loans, limiting listings and post-purchase renovation momentum for brokers.
Constructive path: cooler inflation, steadier oil flows, reduced trade uncertainty, and mid-5% mortgage rates could help the US market gain traction again.
