After more than four decades guiding buyers and sellers through every kind of market, I’ve seen how numbers don’t always tell the whole story. This past Q2 2026, while US home prices continued their climb on paper, the real value of those homes actually slipped for the 13th month in a row after adjusting for inflation. One federal index remained unchanged month over month from mid- to late-Q2, and although a national index reported yearly appreciation rising from ~1% to ~1.5%, that’s still nearly 2 points behind inflation (which hovered near ~3.5%). The upside? Lower inflation and firmer nominal price gains are slowing the pace of value erosion. It’s also noteworthy that since early 2012, one federal measure has shown annual price appreciation every quarter—proof that nominal values remain resilient, even when real value faces pressure. However, for those looking to make a move, affordability remains a real challenge, especially as typical monthly payments on existing single-family homes have risen again, making it tougher for first-time buyers to step in. I remain committed to providing clients with honest insight and steadfast support, no matter how the numbers fluctuate—because trusted guidance is always in season.