The Best Reason to Buy in Oakland County

Why Now Is a Smart Time to Buy or Sell in Oakland County — Even With Slow Year-to-Year Growth

Oakland County’s housing market has been remarkably steady month-to-month over the past couple of years. While prices have generally trended upward with modest year-over-year gains and inventory levels have remained relatively consistent, market dynamics shifting around mortgage interest rates are creating opportunities for both buyers and sellers. (Zillow)

Steady Inventory and Prices Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Recent local data shows:

• Home values in Oakland County sit around the mid-$350,000s, up a few percent year-over-year. (Zillow)

• Listings and total housing inventory have remained fairly stable in the past 12–24 months. (Trading Economics)

• Median sale prices have continued to inch upward, indicating ongoing demand. (Redfin)

Many buyers and sellers may feel like the market has not changed much, but a closer look at mortgage interest rates reveals a meaningful shift.

Why Interest Rates Matter More Now

After several years of elevated rates near or above 7 %, current mortgage rates have drifted down into the low-to-mid-6 % range. It is among the lowest levels seen in the past three years. (Freddie Mac)

This rate environment matters because:

• Lower mortgage rates increase buying power. A homebuyer can afford more house for the same monthly payment.

• Sellers benefit when more buyers enter the market with stronger financial confidence.

• Buyers who may have paused their search due to high rates now find their monthly costs more manageable.

Mortgage rates may soon dip below 6 % in 2026, according to economic forecasts, albeit possibly only as a temporary window. (Investopedia)

For Buyers: Lower Rates + Stable Prices = Opportunity

Here is why now could be an ideal time to buy:

• Lower mortgage rates mean buyers can afford higher-priced homes without dramatically increasing monthly payments.
  With rates down from last year’s peaks, your buying power expands even if sale prices rise modestly. (Money)

• Affordability is improving slightly, especially as income growth begins to keep pace with home-price appreciation. (Redfin)

• If rates do dip toward mid-5 % at any point this year — even briefly — the cost of borrowing could be meaningfully cheaper than it has been for most of the past few years. That creates a window where buyers can lock in favorable financing before rates trend upward again. (Investopedia)

Prediction: Rates will briefly dip below 6 % in 2026 before stabilizing or rising again later in the year, making early-to-mid 2026 an opportune moment for buyers to act.

For Sellers: Increased Buyer Interest + Less Competition

While sometimes overlooked, sellers also benefit from this environment:

• With lower interest rates, previously sidelined buyers are more likely to re-enter the market.
  That expands the pool of potential purchasers — and increased buyer activity can support home values even if inventory isn’t surging.

• Oakland County’s comparatively steady inventory could mean your home attracts attention sooner, especially as buyers compete for solid properties. (Trading Economics)

Prediction: Seller activity will improve as buyers return to the market in response to lower rates — boosting demand and keeping pricing resilient.

What This Means for You Today

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling in Oakland County, these two market forces — steady prices/inventory + relatively attractive mortgage rates — are aligning in ways we haven’t seen in several years.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Buyers: Locking in a mortgage at today’s lower rates could save tens of thousands over the life of your loan and improve monthly affordability compared to last year.

• Sellers: A more rate-driven increase in qualified buyers could translate to faster offers and stronger negotiating positions — even with modest year-over-year price growth.

Final Thought

Don’t wait on the sidelines hoping for dramatic price drops — we’re not seeing a market collapse, but rather a recalibration between interest rates and buyer interest. With mortgage rates at levels not seen in over three years and Oakland County’s pricing steady, both buyers and sellers can benefit from acting now, before rates potentially rise again later in 2026.