Don’t Wait: How To Beat The 2026 Real Estate Rush

By Cynthia Quarantello

Cynthia Quarantello is an award-winning Real Estate Agent specializing in buying and selling homes throughout the Triangle area. She holds advanced degrees in advertising, marketing, and business, which enable her to provide exceptional service to her clients.

Happy New Year and welcome back. As we kick off 2026, I wanted to share a quick update on what we are seeing in the market right now.

Last year was a strong one for us, even though the fall market slowed more than many people expected. That pause caused a lot of buyers and sellers to step back and wait for clearer signs of movement.

But here’s the good news: those signs are starting to show up.

Mortgage applications are up, and buyers who stayed quiet late last year are coming back into the market. We are also seeing listings begin to move again, which is often one of the first indicators that momentum is returning.

If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, this is the right time to start the loan process and understand what you qualify for before competition increases. Early preparation gives you more control and fewer surprises later.

If selling is on your radar for 2026, getting a current market analysis now helps you understand pricing and timing before activity fully ramps up. Even small shifts in buyer demand can make a big difference when homes start moving again.

We are also excited to be partnering with our new lender, Envoy Mortgage, and working closely with Jarod Williamson to help clients start strong this year.

We have several client events planned throughout 2026, and we are looking forward to connecting more in person as the year unfolds. Reach out to us at (919) 891-3612 or cynthia@cqrealtygroup.com.

Again, thank you for all the support last year, and here’s to a strong start in 2026.