As we move through 2026, the national real estate landscape continues to evolve—and it’s worth digging into what those numbers really mean for buyers and sellers across Spring Lake, Grand Haven, and Muskegon. While nominal home prices keep inching up, one key federal index held steady from mid- to late-Q2 (once adjusted for seasonality). Nationally, there was about 1.5% annual price appreciation in late Q2, a slight uptick from 1% earlier in the quarter, but still trailing inflation, which hovered around 3.5%. That means, for the 13th month in a row, the real value of homes (once adjusted for inflation) slipped a bit further—even as lower inflation and firmer prices slowed that trend. One federal measure has shown positive annual gains every single quarter since early 2012, underscoring how resilient nominal home prices have been, even with inflation in the mix.
For many in our lakeshore communities, it’s the rising monthly payments on existing single-family homes that hit closest to home. Affordability remains the defining challenge, especially for first-time buyers. With decades of experience and a focus on helping clients navigate market shifts—waterfronts, condos, new builds, and everything in between—our team is here to help you make sense of the numbers and find your perfect fit.
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