2026 Real Estate Forecast

Performance Property Real Estate Question

Q: Gerald, what do you think is going to happen in the real estate market this year? Yanky, Emerson, NJ

A: Happy New Year. Unfortunately, I cannot predict the future, and all markets, including real estate markets, are dynamic and constantly changing. That said, the chief economist for The National Association of Realtors forecasts the following for 2026:

A 14% increase in existing US home sales
A 4% rise in home prices
Mortgage interest rate reduction approaching 6%
Increased housing inventory which should improve housing affordability

Increased home sales are primarily linked to job growth and a reduction in mortgage interest rates. If mortgage interest rates go down, it will unlock more potential home inventory, particularly for homeowners who’ve wanted to sell and buy another home but have been unwilling to sell and give up their 3% mortgage for a 7% mortgage. Despite expected improvements in local real estate markets like increased home inventory & lower mortgage interest rates, challenges for entry-level homebuyers will persist, the most prominent being coming up with the down payments to buy. Thanks for your question, Yanky.

For more real estate tips and information, visit my blog at geraldlucas.com.

Testimonials

“Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your good advice. We were able to work things out with our lender and get our mortgage loan caught up and current.”

Vaughn | Westfield, New Jersey

“Good afternoon, Gerald, I appreciate you for staying consistent and helping me with my mortgage lender for the last few months. The free guide you gave me helped us figure out the right path to take. I finally got all the money to make my loan current by the end of the week.”

Stephen Brunson | Plainfield, New Jersey

“Sir Gerald Lucas..my Knight who rescued me from the prison of Rushmore. At last I feel freedom to stop worrying about keeping myself financially afloat. You came into my life and gave me peace of mind. I will always remember your kindness and generous spirit. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers. May your gratuitous services to me be The Blessing it was,and may you be rewarded with many Blessings in return. I prayed to God for help and He sent YOU. Much love.”

Mary Elizabeth Robinson | Wilmington, Delaware

“Hi Gerald I just want to take this moment to thank you and express my gratitude for a job well done. When I thought that everything was lost you appeared and delivered hopes. Your professionalism and endurance are out of this world. Thank you thank you. I will always be grateful.”

Berkis Castro | Clifton, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for helping me. My property was haunting me for quite sometime. We tried for so long to sell but couldn’t. My family and I never thought we would resolve this problem so easily, but you facilitated the whole process and made it swift and painless. We can’t thank you enough for this.”

Sal Rizzo-Cascio | Jersey City, NJ

“Thank you so much for all your work, effort and time you put in helping me. I think things went really smoothly, way better than I’d hoped for! I’m sure it’s because of you. I really appreciate all of your help!”

Bridget Hieronymus | Jersey City, New Jersey

“I was not able to pay my mortgage and the Bank started the Foreclosure proceedings against me. I spoke with Performance Property about their process and they gave me hope. They were very diligent and did all the negotiations on my behalf. They were very professional, sincere and hardworking. I would recommend Performance Property’s services to anyone.”

Samuel Manoharan | North Bergen, New Jersey

“My family and I want to thank you so much for helping us. You did an outstanding job negotiating with our bank and keeping us informed. Thanks to your help, I now have more money to pay down bills and repair my credit.”

Marko Shafik | Bayonne, New Jersey

“If you find yourself in my situation, I highly recommend Performance Property. Always attentive, thoughtful and understanding, Performance Property will keep you informed every step of the way and will not rest until the job is done.”

Sean Daughtry | Jersey City, New Jersey

“As I began my morning today, I came to the conclusion that it was the dawn of a brand new start for my family. The burden is finally behind us. I have you to thank for that. You stuck by us, slogged through the swamp that is Chase Bank, put up with my constant questions and anxieties. I wondered if this day would come and lo and behold, it has. If good karma is to be had, I think you hit it big today. I am profoundly grateful for your hard work that has truly made a difference in our lives. We can now move forward with rebuilding our lives focusing upon a renewed perspective of what the important things in life are. Thank you again for your time and dedication.”

Melinda | Bayonne, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for all your help. I feel a huge weight has been lifted. The experience and knowledge that Performance Property provides is invaluable. In every step of the process, you were extremely courteous and professional. Thank you again.”

Gita Gorji | Hoboken, New Jersey

“Our loan modification was finalized. Got all the documents. Even got legal documents stating that foreclosure proceedings were cancelled. Our rate went from a 4.75 to a 3.4 and our mortgage payment went down almost $200 a month. So all is good. Thank you so much.”

Crystal | Totowa, New Jersey

“Finally the bank called me and said that my loan modification was approved! I thank you so much for your help it really meant a lot to me...I really appreciate you. Thank you Thank you Thank you”

Camille Perry | Newark, New Jersey

“Hey Gerald wanted to give you a heads up that they offered me a loan modification. Thanks for all your help!"

Robert Evans | North Arlington, New Jersey

“I appreciate everything you were able to do with my lender, I am immensely grateful to you."

Carol Cunningham| West Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your help, Gerald. I feel like a huge weight has been taken off me."

Iradys Rivero| North Bergen, New Jersey

“At this point, Gerald, you are the only person I can trust. I appreciate all your efforts to assist me."

Deborah Dowe| Plainfield, New Jersey

“I want to thank you for helping me to get the courage to work on this problem because I didn't want to face it. Your help with the phone call to the mortgage company & other assistance was so appreciated. Thank you so much."

Evelyn Rudnicki | Rochelle Park, New Jersey

“I'm not trying to be a pain in the neck but I would like to thank you for your advice. I think things are going to work out for me. I did exactly what you told me and I think the mortgage company is going to work with me. I appreciate your advice. You are a Godsend. The world needs more people like you. Thank you and God bless you."

Jimmy Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“My mortgage problem is resolved. God bless you for all your help. You are a very good man, Gerald."

Virgilio Rodriguez | Paterson, New Jersey

“I followed the instructions Gerald from Performance Property gave me and I proved to my lender that I can pay back my mortgage.”

John Nikoe | Linden, New Jersey

“God bless you.”

Ravinder Thota | Jersey City, New Jersey

“My bank gave me a permanent loan modification. Thank you very much!!”

Jim Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“You helped me a lot more than the lawyer I hired. I should have gone to you in the first place. You were very kind. Thank you so much.”

Aileen Collucci | Little Falls, New Jersey

“After speaking with you I feel like I can wipe the sweat from my brow.”

Barbara Herbert | Union, New Jersey

“You have been my saving grace. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Amoy Frost | South Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you very much. I appreciate all your help.”

Sabur Abdul-Wahid | Budd Lake, New Jersey

“You helped me get money and get rid of my nightmare tenant! Thank you so much for all your help.”

Dion Lowe | Rahway, New Jersey

“Thank you so much. You’ve been so helpful! I really appreciate it.”

Melody Melendez | Elizabeth, New Jersey

“You have been my saving grace. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Amoy Frost | South Orange, NJ

“I appreciate all your help from the beginning and throughout the process. Thanks to you I was able to refinance and keep my house.”

David Brown | Rahway, New Jersey

“Thanks Gerald...I appreciate the time and effort you put in to this. You never gave up on it and I get my life back. I am grateful for everything. Thanks again.”

Mariano Arocho | Teaneck, New Jersey

“You’re a great guy, Gerald. There should be more people like you on this planet.”

Jay DiMatteo | Kearny, New Jersey

“I really appreciate your time, your effort and your honesty, Gerald.”

Debra Fiorenza | Clark, New Jersey

“Thank you very much for all the things you’ve done for me, Gerald. You are a God send.”

Theresa Bethea | East Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you for all your help, Gerald. I really appreciate it.”

Derek Thompson | Jersey City, New Jersey

“Thank you so much. I appreciate your help--you gave me the information I needed to get the assistance to keep my house.”

Latanya Blake | Clifton, New Jersey

“You have been excellent. Thank you so much for your advice.”

Nina Knox | Livingston, New Jersey

“Thank you very much, Gerald. I really appreciate it.”

Heide Dacosta | Elizabeth, New Jersey

“Thank you so much, Gerald. You’re an angel.”

Maria Castillo | Jersey City, New Jersey

“I really appreciate your help. Thank you so much, Gerald!”

Bassem Gayed | Jersey City, New Jersey

"Thanks to your diligence, Gerald, I was able to resolve the property tax lien on my property."

David Strus | Clifton, New Jersey

"I finally realized that I was paying the bankruptcy attorney more than I had been paying for my mortgage."

Oswald Findlay | Englewood, New Jersey

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Marisol Vazquez | Haledon, New Jersey

"You are a Godsend. I had no idea what to do. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I am so grateful. Thank you so so much. I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life."

Mattie Phillips | East Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your kind assistance. You took a load off my mind. God bless you."

Lloyd Isaac | Jersey City, New Jersey

“Thank you Mr. Lucas. I wanna thank you so much. I was so worried. I really appreciate your help. Thank you!"

June Thomas | Hillside, New Jersey

“Without you doing all this hard work, we wouldn’t have had a chance with the bank. Thank you!"

Donyea Hoffman | Jersey City, New Jersey

“Hey Gerald. Thank you, Sir! Appreciate your help and everything you’ve done. Much appreciated."

Chirag Patel | Jersey City, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for taking your time with me explaining and not making me feel rushed or belittled. Thank you so much for all your advice and guidance. You took a huge load off my shoulders. Appreciate you deeply."

Johanna Francisco | Plainfield, New Jersey

"You are a great man, Gerald. You are my new favorite person."

Ramsey Abdallah | West Orange, New Jersey

"I’m really glad I talked to you. I appreciate your guidance. Thanks again."

Ken Jenkel | Garfield, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your kind assistance. You took a load off my mind. 1 more payment and we will be out of foreclosure and our mortgage payment went down. Thank you for your help. God bless you."

Andy McCabe | Bayonne, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for all your help."

Emmanuel Ndupu | Hillside, New Jersey

"Thank you. Now I feel less stressed out."

Tyi Ellis | Orange, New Jersey

"You’re the best."

Brenda Thompson | Bloomfield, New Jersey

"God bless you. Thank you so much for this information, Gerald. I'm sure the decrease in my stress will benefit both of my conditions. There is a special place in heaven for you."

Hope Thompson | Plainfield, New Jersey

"You were amazing. I was skeptical at first. You followed through on every promise and made it happen. The level of work, dedication, knowledge and patience is very impressive and my family and I want to thank you."

Arielle Wright | Roselle Park, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for your honest advice."

Iuri Oganezov | Elizabeth, New Jersey

"I prayed on it and I realized the people I hired months ago hadn’t done anything for me they said they were going to do. I wish I had just worked with you from the beginning. You guys were phenomenal!"

Reggie Shivers | Jersey City, New Jersey

"Thank you, Gerald. I appreciate you."

Janeide Chillis | Irvington, New Jersey

"I appreciate it, you relieved a moment of stress."

Scott Ketschke | Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

"I could kiss you. I thought it was hopeless after I called the bank last week. Now I don’t have to take a loan out against my pension to catch up on my mortgage. I appreciate you! I will tell anyone I know who needs assistance to call you."

Lauren Hudak | Plainfield, New Jersey

"I really appreciate everything."

Randy Deleon | West New York, New Jersey

"Gerald, I really appreciate you. Thank you so much! God bless."

Luzy Calafat | West New York, New Jersey

"You have been so helpful, like an angel. You are such a nice guy, Gerald."

Wesley Shi | Bayonne, New Jersey

"Thank you much and I truly appreciate it your patience and your time."

Nigel Cooper | Hackensack, New Jersey

"Out of all the people we spoke to you were the kindest. Thank you, Gerald."

Phyllis Latella | Cedar Grove, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for your help, Gerald. I appreciate it."

Julia Bykova | Fair Lawn, New Jersey

"I appreciate you, Gerald. Thank you so much."

Thomas Vitolo | Union City, New Jersey

"Just wanted to thank you again and let you know I do have my house back and was able to successfully stop the foreclosure."

Barbar Pagan | Kearny, New Jersey

"Thank you. I owe you one."

Alphonse Onove | Paramus, New Jersey

"I really appreciate your honesty."

Dennis Cunha | Clark, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for your help!"

Marie Romeo | Bayonne, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and expertise with us."