SOUTHERN BRANCH MEETING - The 2026 Real Estate Stalemate: Affordability, Inventory, and the New Normal

VIRTUALLY - VIA ZOOM (ZOOM LOG IN INFO WILL BE EMAILED 08/25/2026)
10:00 AM PST

PENDING APPROVAL: 2 Hours of BREA CE 

Photo Verification: REQUIRED

As part of the required attendance monitoring, all students need to provide the Chapter Office with a copy of your Driver's License in advance of the offering.

• Simply take a picture of your DL with your phone or send a scanned copy to lianna@sccai.org

• Registrants who have not yet forwarded their photo IDs will be ineligible for credit and will be prohibited from attending the seminar

Required Equipment

It is the student's responsibility to have the required equipment - dependable Internet access, computer, webcam and microphone.  As noted in the material section below, some registrants who opt not to print out the seminar materials may find a secondary device (Ipad, cell phone, laptop or desktop computer) helpful during instruction.

• A webcam is required.  The instructor and/or session monitor must be able to see each of the students and verify that they have access to the seminar materials throughout the presentation.  If you do not have a camera on your computer, they are available at BestBuy and other online retailers starting at around $30.

• Webcams must remain on throughout the offering.  Those who turn off their webcams jeopardize receipt of CE credit.  No camera = no credit.

• Joining the offering with a cell phone is not recommended as these devices often lead to connection problems.  Cell phones are better utilized solely as a secondary devise.

• Students must be able to see and be seen. They must be able to view the instructor's PowerPoint, and follow along in handbook all at the same time, while the instructor sees them.

DESCRIPTION: 

The 2026 housing market is defined by a persistent stalemate driven by affordability pressures, elevated mortgage rates, and constrained supply, with inflation, labor‑market softness, and rate volatility shaping buyer capacity and confidence. National trends show modest sales gains, but activity remains below normal, while regional divergence has intensified—Northeast and Midwest markets stay tight and resilient, whereas the South and West are softer and more price‑sensitive. California stands out with higher prices, stronger sales, and exceptionally low inventory, fueled in part by luxury‑market demand and AI‑sector growth in the Bay Area. Construction has slowed nationwide, limiting relief to supply, and builders face high costs and weaker demand. Overall, the market is moving, but affordability, locking, and uneven regional dynamics continue to constrain both buyers and sellers. 

BIO:

Reena Agrawal is a Senior Research Economist at Veros Real Estate Solutions, where she analyzes U.S. housing market trends, develops home price and macroeconomic forecasts, and conducts research on a broad range of real estate and housing finance topics. Since joining Veros more than four years ago, she has authored numerous white papers and research publications covering the real estate industry. She also co-hosts Veros' housing market webcasts and the RiskWire: On the House podcast, where she discusses current market conditions and emerging trends with industry experts.

Reena earned her Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University and her M.A. in Economics from The Ohio State University. She has extensive experience in economic research and quantitative analysis.