by Nashville, TN — After years of volatility in the housing market, a leading Middle Tennessee real estate agent is offering a clearer picture of what buyers and sellers can expect as 2026 approaches.
Middle Tennessee Housing Market Expected to Shift Toward Balance
Following periods of record-high home prices and scarce inventory, real estate agent Jenny Morant predicts that next year will feel more stable for many buyers. Describing the change, she said “this has been a great time for me as a buyer’s agent because I’m not going $100,000 over asking and giving up your firstborn to get a deal.”
Morant, who has lived and worked in Middle Tennessee for more than a decade, leads a team under Benchmark Realty. As she put it, “We are a female-run business… just a small, family-owned business, but we do a lot of business, so we’ve been one of the top teams in the Nashville area since we started in 2013.”
Why She Calls 2025 a “Nobody’s Market”
Market trends have shifted dramatically over the years, but Morant said 2025 didn’t fit the typical seller’s or buyer’s conditions. Instead, she described it as “a nobody’s market.”
According to her, recent economic uncertainty has slowed activity. She noted that “the tariffs have created a lot of uncertainty with industries kind of being frozen, and so the Fed’s not really moving the interest rates that much because of that issue.”
With the Supreme Court expected to weigh in on related issues soon, Morant is hopeful that interest rate decisions in 2026 will bring renewed energy into the housing market.
Fewer New Agents Likely to Enter the Field
As the industry adjusts, Morant expects 2026 to challenge less-experienced real estate professionals. “I think we’re going to see less realtors in the business and just more established realtors staying,” she said.
Despite challenges, she emphasized that Middle Tennessee is faring better than many regions nationwide thanks to continued population and business growth. “I feel like Nashville is such a strong market because we have so many industries that are moving here with our taxes,” she added.
Hot Neighborhoods Still Moving Quickly
Even in a slower market, some pockets of the region remain highly competitive. Areas like East Nashville, 12 South, and West Nashville continue to perform strongly for sellers.
Morant explained that “if the house looks great and it isn’t just a cookie-cutter house, they are still selling very quickly.”
Advice for First-Time Homebuyers Entering 2026
Morant encourages first-time buyers to start saving early and aim for a meaningful down payment. She warns buyers not to wait too long, saying they could get priced out of preferred areas.
Her guidance is clear: “With the prices of homes and the interest rates, when you buy this house, you really need to live there for a solid five to seven years.” Selling too quickly, she added, often means taking a financial loss.
A Hopeful Outlook for 2026
Despite heading into 2025 expecting difficulties, Morant’s team had one of its strongest years. That momentum gives her confidence moving forward.
As she put it, “In Nashville, I feel like we’re having more of a healthy reset… I don’t think this is a downturn. I don’t think people need to be concerned that the market is about to crash.”
Conclusion
Middle Tennessee’s housing market is entering a new phase—more balanced, more predictable, and still supported by strong regional growth. While challenges remain, local experts believe 2026 will bring healthier conditions for both buyers and sellers.
Share Your Experience
Are you seeing prices stabilize in your neighborhood? Have you tried buying or selling recently? Share your experience in the comments.
