In 2025, the U.S. housing market largely continued the sluggish trends that have defined the post-pandemic years: high prices, elevated mortgage rates, and persistent economic uncertainty. Historically few homes sold through November 2025, and as sellers struggled to find buyers, many chose not to list at all. That pullback reduced inventory throughout the year, which in turn kept prices elevated.
Looking ahead to 2026, Redfin expects affordability to gradually improve as the market continues a long, uneven recovery. (Learn more in Redfin’s 2026 housing market predictions.)
However, national trends don’t tell the whole story. Individual markets varied widely, from red-hot metros in the Midwest and East Coast, to quickly cooling cities throughout the South. But how did Durham, NC’s housing market perform?…