I just wrapped up a trip to Olympia with Washington REALTORS®, and I wanted to share a broader update on what we're seeing right now—economically, nationally, and here at the state level—and how it all connects back to housing decisions in Spokane and across our region.

Between conversations with economists, lawmakers, and REALTORS® from across Washington, one thing is clear: 2026 is shaping up to be different—not louder or scarier, just more balanced and more local.

The Big Economic Picture: Cooling, Not Breaking

The national economy is slowing, but it's doing so in a relatively healthy way.

Inflation has come down meaningfully from its peak and continues to trend in the right direction. Job growth has moderated, unemployment has ticked up slightly, and consumer confidence feels cautious—but stable. Interest rates are no longer climbing aggressively. Instead, we're in a period of adjustment and patience.

This is not an economy in crisis. It's an economy finding its footing after several years of volatility.

For housing, that shift matters. Buyers are more thoughtful and rate-sensitive. Sellers need to price and position correctly. And markets—especially Spokane—are becoming far more local and far less driven by national headlines.

What National Economists Are Saying About Housing

According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, we're entering a year of gradual recovery in housing. Not a return to the frenzy, but real, measurable improvement.

Buyers are slowly re-entering the market. Many homeowners are coming to terms with the fact that ultra-low mortgage rates may not return anytime soon, and that waiting indefinitely has its own costs. Home sales are expected to improve in 2026, even if they don't reach pre-pandemic levels.

Inventory remains the biggest challenge nationwide. Even with recent increases, the U.S. is still millions of homes short of what's needed to meet demand. New construction is helping, but not fast enough to fully solve affordability concerns.

Home prices are expected to continue rising nationally—especially in markets with strong migration and limited supply. Spokane continues to be flagged as a relative bright spot thanks to population growth, lifestyle migration, and more attainable pricing compared to larger West Coast metros.

What We're Advocating for in Washington—and Why It Matters

Alongside REALTORS® from across the state, we spent time in Olympia advocating for policies that directly impact housing access and affordability. It's honestly one of my favorite days of the year—because when we show up together, we get things done.

Our focus is practical and client-driven:

We're pushing for more housing options, including support for rural ADUs and expanded "missing middle" housing like small condo projects.

We're advocating for smarter land use, including allowing residential development in certain commercial zones so underutilized spaces can become homes—without expanding urban sprawl.

We support fair and transparent markets, including public marketing of listings so buyers have equal access and sellers receive full exposure.

And we're taking a firm "do no harm" stance on taxes, opposing new fees or increases that would raise the cost of buying or selling a home at a time when affordability is already stretched.

These efforts are about protecting property rights, expanding attainable housing, and keeping homeownership within reach for more people in our communities.

Why This Matters for You

Housing markets don't exist in a vacuum. Economic conditions, national trends, and state-level policy decisions all shape what's possible locally—especially here in Spokane.

The goal, collectively, is simple:

• More choices

• More transparency

• More opportunity

• Fewer unintended barriers

Whether you're buying, selling, building, or just paying attention from the sidelines, these shifts matter—and staying informed makes all the difference.

If you ever want to talk through how this impacts your specific plans, I'm always happy to help.

And if you enjoy this kind of update, you can also follow along with me on Instagram, where I share housing insights, Spokane-specific context, and a little real life mixed in too.

— Abbey