How To Set & Achieve Your Real Estate Goals 2026
Did you know that the real estate market is expected to make a comeback in 2026? That’s right! After three straight years of the lowest volume of home sales since 1995, seemingly due to affordability concerns, home sales may finally see a long-awaited surge in 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors.
NAR is forecasting a 14% nationwide increase in home sales and a modest 4% in home prices next year. This projected boost will, of course, depend on whether mortgage rates continue their downward trend and whether the job market actually sees anticipated growth, but for those who have been patiently waiting for the right time to buy or sell, consider this your sign that 2026 could be a great year to jump in!
So how can you make sure to capitalize on the favorable market conditions? Set your real estate goals for the new year now and create an actionable strategy to execute them! Here’s how:
1.) Define Your Goals
Start by determining what your ultimate real estate goals are. Are you looking to purchase for the first time? Maybe you want to downsize and cash out your equity? Or perhaps you want to expand your real estate portfolio with a new investment property? Whatever your goals may be, write them down and be as specific as possible. Clearly defined goals can act as a roadmap, helping you make decisions and prioritize.
2.) Determine Small, Actionable Steps
Once you have your overall objectives, it’s time to actually draw the lines of that roadmap. This is where it’s crucial to team up with a qualified, knowledgeable real estate professional with expertise in your area! Your agent can help you create a checklist of steps to achieve your goals. For example, if you want to sell in the next six months, maybe your list is something like this: begin clean out process one room per week, move items into storage, host a garage sale, hire subcontractors to do necessary maintenance, hire stagers to prep property and then prepare a marketing calendar of how/when you’ll advertise the property once it’s ready to hit the market. Or if you want to buy, maybe step one of your list is meeting with a loan officer to discuss your credit and income factors. Maybe you leave that meeting with a preapproval that will inform your agent on how to structure your home search moving forward, or maybe the result is an informed plan with a monthly savings goal and a credit repayment strategy that gets you closer to where you need to be financially. No matter your desired end result, breaking down your goals into small, actionable steps will ensure consistent progress throughout the year and move you closer to where you want to be.
3.) Adjust As Needed
Sometimes, even the best laid plans need a pivot. Fluctuations in the market and unexpected life happenings are just a few of the many reasons why you might need to adjust your strategy or even your overall goals. Again, the help of a dedicated real estate professional can prove absolutely invaluable in helping you navigate changes, guiding you on how to move forward accordingly. It is important to be flexible and ready to adapt when needed.
As always, leveraging expert guidance is the number one tip for how you can maximize your 2026. Consulting with an experienced real estate professional can ensure your goals are realistic and that you stay on the path to achieving them. It’s our job to stay on the pulse of the market trends in your area, keep you informed, and help tailor a strategy to get you where you want to be. If you think this might be the year for your next big move, my team and I are here to help!
Here’s to a healthy, happy, and successful 2026.
Leslie Stonick is a Compass real estate agent and leader of the Stonick Group. The Long Beach local lives in Alamitos Heights with her family and enjoys staying active in her community.
The facts of this article are based on websites, including:
https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/2026-housing-market-forecast-nar/
*All facts of this article were gathered from sources above and current as of end of November 2025 press time*
**Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. All properties shown may not be Stonick Group listings or sales.**
