Serhant founder & CEO Ryan Serhant shares his perspective on the housing market on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
With mortgage charges anticipated to float towards 6% within the coming yr, 10 U.S. markets might see a significant enhance as patrons regain buying energy.
The Nationwide Affiliation of Realtors (NAR) lately checked out 10 key indicators, together with how decrease charges have an effect on shopping for energy, how nicely residence costs match native incomes, migration tendencies and job development to seek out the place “home sales will likely be liveliest in the coming year.”
To make the checklist, every space wanted a inhabitants over 250,000, stronger efficiency than the U.S. on not less than 5 indicators and clear alternatives for patrons and Realtors, in accordance with the report.
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The highest 10 residence shopping for scorching spots embody:
Charleston, South Carolina 
The French Quarter in Charleston, S.C. (iStock)
Charleston’s stock is rising within the $200,000–$350,000 vary, and greater than 20,000 extra households would qualify for a median-priced residence with charges at 6%.
Millennials make up 36% of native households, and the realm has robust job and earnings development, in accordance with NAR.
“Charleston has a large pool of renters who are just at the edge of affordability,” the report famous. “A shift from 7% to 6% significantly expands the number of local households who qualify for the median home.”
Charlotte, North Carolina
Over 52,000 extra households would qualify for a median-priced residence at a 6% mortgage price. The metro has a powerful migration influx, earnings positive aspects, job development and excessive millennial focus.
“Charlotte’s winning formula in 2026 is simple: young buyers, strong jobs, and more listings where people need them,” the report famous.
Columbus, Ohio 
A view of Columbus, Ohio. (iStock)
Greater than 41,000 extra households would qualify at a 6% mortgage price. Millennials make up 37.5% of the realm, incomes are up in comparison with the prior yr and job development is powerful, in accordance with the report.
“Columbus continues to outperform expectations as one of the Midwest’s most resilient and stable housing markets. Income growth remains stronger than the U.S. average, and investments — including logistics expansions — are bringing high-quality jobs that support long-term housing demand,” NAR famous.
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is likely one of the “most balanced and opportunity-rich markets heading into 2026,” in accordance with NAR.
Greater than 42,700 extra households would qualify at a 6% price, and the realm has a powerful millennial presence, stable job positive aspects and a powerful match between residence costs and native incomes.
Jacksonville, Florida
“Jacksonville is one of the Florida markets where both affordability and inventory are improving at the same time,” NAR famous.
Greater than 39,700 extra households qualify for a median-priced residence at a 6% price. The world additionally has robust earnings development and rising migration.
Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota 
A view of Minneapolis. (iStock)
The Twin Cities achieve greater than 81,000 newly certified households with charges at 6%.
Extra houses within the $250,000–$450,000 vary are returning to the market, and the realm exhibits robust job development, a excessive focus of millennial households and stronger alignment between costs and incomes.
“Minneapolis is one of the nation’s most responsive markets to lower rates — and 2026 will show it,” NAR famous.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Almost 27,000 extra households qualify with decrease charges.
Raleigh has robust earnings development, a excessive millennial inhabitants, stable job positive aspects and a stronger match between incomes and residential costs.
“Raleigh’s combination of fast-growing incomes and better-aligned inventory makes it one of the clearest opportunity markets of 2026,” NAR famous.
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Richmond, Virginia
Greater than 25,500 extra households qualify for a median-priced residence with mortgage charges at 6%.
One of many “most quietly powerful opportunity markets in 2026,” Richmond has robust job positive aspects, fewer worth cuts than the nationwide common, a stronger match between residence costs and incomes and a powerful millennial presence.
“Richmond’s strength lies in its stability — and in 2026, that stability becomes opportunity,” the report famous.
Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah 
A view of downtown Salt Lake Metropolis (iStock)
About 25,000 extra households might afford a median-priced residence at 6%.
Salt Lake Metropolis has a powerful millennial presence, robust earnings development, stable job positive aspects and listings more and more align with native incomes.
“Salt Lake City’s youthful demographics and improving inventory make it one of the biggest beneficiaries of lower rates in 2026,” NAR famous. “Listings aligned with incomes surged 20.7% year-over-year, making it one of the biggest affordability rebound markets.”
Spokane, Washington
“Spokane is one of the few Western metros where both affordability and inventory are trending in the right direction,” the report famous.
Over 9,500 extra households in Spokane qualify for a median-priced residence with mortgage charges at 6%. The market additionally has robust earnings development, excessive millennial focus and fewer worth cuts than the nationwide common.
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Mortgage charges inched up this previous Thursday as markets reacted to the Federal Reserve’s resolution to chop its benchmark rate of interest for the third straight time, in accordance with Realtor.com.
The typical 30-year mounted mortgage price climbed to six.22% for the week ending Dec. 11, up from 6.19% the earlier week, in accordance with Freddie Mac. A yr earlier, charges averaged 6.60%.
