Before You Panic About Home Prices, Read This

If you’ve been hearing chatter about home prices falling, it’s understandable to feel uneasy about what that means for your home’s value. Headlines can make it sound like prices are sliding everywhere. But when you look at the actual data, a very different picture shows up.

While a handful of local markets have seen small, temporary dips, home prices are not falling nationally. In fact, most of the country is still seeing prices rise.

Year-over-year data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency shows that the majority of states experienced price growth over the last 12 months. The gains aren’t as dramatic as they were during the pandemic boom, but they’re still gains. That’s exactly why the National Association of Realtors reports national home prices are up about 2.1% compared to last year.

So why do the headlines feel so negative? Because they focus on the exceptions.

Yes, there are a few states where prices dipped slightly. But those declines are modest, generally ranging from -0.1% to -2%. And they’re happening mostly in markets that saw prices spike rapidly during the pandemic. What you’re seeing now isn’t a collapse — it’s a return to more normal conditions.

That distinction matters.

A market correction is very different from a market crash. Prices cooling in overheated areas is a sign of stabilization, not trouble. And for most homeowners, even those small dips don’t come close to wiping out the gains built over the last several years.

To put that into perspective, data from Zillow shows:

• About 96% of homeowners still have a home worth more than they paid

• Only 4% are underwater nationwide

Zoom out even further and the picture gets even clearer. Over the past five years, home prices nationwide are up nearly 49%. Every state saw meaningful appreciation during that period. That’s why short-term softening today barely makes a dent for most owners.

In plain terms:
Home prices aren’t crashing.
Most homeowners are still sitting on substantial equity.
And what’s happening now is market normalization — not a warning sign.

Bottom Line

National headlines don’t reflect what’s happening on your street. While a few markets are cooling, most of the country is still seeing price growth, and long-term appreciation remains firmly intact.

If you want a clear, honest look at what your home is worth today — and how your local market is really performing — connect with a trusted local real estate expert. Knowing your numbers beats guessing every time.

Amber Johnson, Founder
Pillar Real Estate
805.835.3425
[email protected]
1345 Park St. Paso Robles, CA 93446
DRE# 01925434