The usual holiday slowdown, election-year uncertainty, and rising interest rates are shaping today’s market, and spring could bring a return to normal.

If you’ve noticed yard signs lingering and days on market creeping higher in your neighborhood, you’re seeing the same slowdown the news has been talking about.

A slower market at this point in the year isn’t unusual. What makes 2026 different is that an election year and a jump in interest rates have piled on top of the usual seasonal cooldown. Together, they’ve caused an abnormal shift in the market’s pace.

Seasonality shapes the market every year. Once the leaves change color and drop and the holidays start to close in, real estate naturally slows down. Seasonality plays a huge role in our market, so a quieter stretch right now is exactly what we’d expect.

Election years create added uncertainty. Anytime there’s an election, uncertainty creeps into the economy and into consumer sentiment, and it trickles down to real estate as well. With so many news headlines going around, an election year can stir up a lot of negativity.

When that happens, some people pause their plans because making a big change feels uncomfortable. It’s a normal reaction, and we notice the same trend every election year.

Higher rates are working against inflation. Interest rates above 7% can feel startling when we’re used to lower numbers, but the jump is driven by inflation. We don’t know about you, but we’d love to see gas prices and grocery costs come down.

“This slowdown is temporary, and we anticipate a normal spring market in 2027.”

The Federal Reserve has said inflation remains elevated, and raising rates is the lever it uses to bring prices back in check. Because these higher rates are a response to inflation, they aren’t meant to be permanent, and we expect them to ease once that’s under control.

Spring 2027 should look normal. We anticipate the 2027 spring market arriving right on schedule. It usually starts heating up toward the end of January, when people are ready for new goals and fresh beginnings.

If you’re wondering what this market means for your home, we’d be honored to offer a complimentary strategy session and answer questions specific to your property. Call us at (651) 998-9829, email info@holzgroup.com, or visit holzlifestylehomes.com. We’d love to help you plan your next move around where the market is headed.