Agents looking to enter 2026 need to be prepared and clear-eyed for the market restructuring that is poised to provide additional opportunities as this year ends. This is based on an internal survey of Corcoran Group affiliate owners in major metropolitan areas that was shared exclusively with Inman.
Affiliate owners currently see three major themes emerging across metropolitan areas over the next year. It’s a combination of buyer and seller collaboration, a shift towards lifestyle and turnkey properties, and buyer confidence driven by the economy.
Pam Liebman Corcoran Group
“Sellers are becoming increasingly realistic about pricing, and buyers are returning to the market with a clearer understanding of value,” Pam Liebman, president and CEO of the Corcoran Group, said of the company’s New York City home market.
“The gap between expectations and reality is closing. Two areas are seeing the most movement: affordable resale products and the premium and luxury segment. Ready-to-move homes with strong amenities continue to outperform, and well-located properties are attracting significant interest. Gone are the days of ambitious pricing. 2026 is the time for realistic pricing, savvy buyers, and deals to get done.”
Corcoran affiliate owners have identified areas of opportunity for agents related to expected market movements in 2026. See what they advise below.
Reorganization of sellers and buyers
Corcoran research shows buyers and sellers are growing closer together, emerging from the high expectations brought on by the pandemic. Emotional decision-making is being replaced by rational decision-making, with sellers moving away from aspirational pricing and buyers taking their time to pull the trigger because they know they have options.
Chelsea Engel | Corcoran Prestige Realty
Opportunities for agents: Agents who position themselves as trusted advisors, rather than simply brokering deals, are more likely to help their clients close more deals, which will help them gain a competitive advantage, Corcoran affiliate owners said.
“Hiring the right agent who can provide you with real comps and help you with strategic pricing is essential now,” Chelsea Engel, a leader at Houston-based Corcoran Prestige Realty, said in the firm’s research. “Agents who tell sellers what they want to hear and sellers who won’t budge are the ones with old listings.
“On the buyer side, people are taking their time. Today’s buyers are looking for an agent to cut through the noise and guide them: the right lender, the right program, the right property, the right strategy.”
Our commitment to turnkey, lifestyle, and quality inventory
Properties that receive the most positive attention in Corcoran’s major markets, particularly Manhattan, Miami, Charlotte, Boston and San Francisco, are move-in ready and prioritize lifestyle and amenities. Properties with the opposite characteristics (older, require too much work, or are too expensive) are mostly left on the market and age.
Steve Bellomini | Corcoran Icon Properties
Opportunities for agents: Agents who guide their clients in making wise decisions before listing a property on the market can help bring real value to the transaction. As 2026 continues, agents will gain an advantage by creating inventory in the “best, most attractive and most livable form,” according to the Corcoran report.
“Confidence is strongest in neighborhoods with walkability, amenities and great schools,” Steve Belluomini, president of Corcoran Icon Properties in Northern California, said in the study.
“Sellers are also recalibrating. While tougher pricing is required in the Outer East and North Bay, momentum is returning in San Francisco and the Peninsula, with well-provisioned affordable housing gaining strong traction. The strongest activity is in single-family homes and luxury/view homes in San Francisco, turnkey offerings in the Peninsula and Silicon Valley, and quality condominiums in desirable locations.”
Buyer confidence based on economic stability, not interest rates
Owners of Corcoran affiliates argued that buyers are mostly used to the new rate situation, but are still a little cautious because of the economy. Factors such as confidence in employment and income and the performance of financial markets are influencing decisions, with luxury buyers in particular becoming more selective in their decisions.
Opportunities for agents: Top agents who focus on data-driven decision-making and avoid guesswork will provide the most value to their clients this year. And agents who can provide a clear explanation of where real estate fits into broader economic trends can set themselves apart from others.
Valerie Michener Corcoran HM Properties
“From a macro perspective, interest rate stability is the key.” [in 2026]” Val Michener, broker-owner of Corcoran HM Properties in Charlotte, said in the company’s research.
“Even a small rate cut, or simply a stable interest rate environment, will increase confidence in the $1 million to $3 million bracket, where financing remains important, while the ultra-high end segment, although primarily cash-driven, remains highly sensitive to broader economic sentiment.
“Affordability and wealth effects also play an important role. High-end buyers respond closely to stocks, IPO cycles, and overall portfolio performance, and transaction speeds increase when portfolios are strengthened. Stabilizing construction and labor costs could further improve confidence for buyers considering renovation and new construction opportunities.”
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