Wishing You a Meaningful Thanksgiving 🦃

I hope your day is filled with good food, loud laughs, and the kind of moments that only happen when family is all under one roof. I’ll be spending time with family in Florida next week. If you're near Jupiter, come say hi!

We’ll be hanging with more rescued sea turtles than turkeys! 🐢☀️

Today’s Topics:

NAR’s First Take on 2026 Housing Trends
Baby Rave Open Houses? 👶
And a Rare Find in Sterling Ridge

NAR’s Forecast: Home Sales Headed for a 14% Increase

The latest forecast from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts existing home sales in the U.S. will increase by about 14% in 2026, driven by improving economic fundamentals and a slight easing of mortgage rates. Home prices are expected to continue rising nationally around 4% next year, after an estimated 3% rise by the end of this year. Additional predictions:

14% increase in existing home sales.
5% increase in new home sales.
Mortgage rates to drop gradually to 6%.

Ralph’s Take

I’ll be putting together a full list of forecasts as we get closer to the end of the year, but here’s my early read: Much of NAR’s outlook for a stronger 2026 seems tied to the same theme we’ve been talking about all year: inventory challenges aren’t going away. Supply remains tight, and demand continues to build. You can see it clearly in the 31% year-over-year jump in mortgage applications. The market itself is still pretty split, with luxury sales showing more strength, while the affordable home market struggles under heavy inventory shortages.

Westchester Weekly Market Tracker 📈

‘Coming Soon’: 7 ↓-2
New Listings: 140 ↓-8
Price Reductions: 67 ↑+13
Pending Sales: 148 ↓-14
Closed Sales: 163 ↑+51

💰 Find your home’s value here!

_{Property Type: Residential. OneKey MLS, Inc. 11/14/25 - 11/21/25.}

Now “Baby Rave” Open Houses?!

A $4.5 million Los Angeles home sat stagnant on the market for months, despite its prime location, pool, and school district appeal. Traditional marketing methods failed until the seller’s agents staged a bold, family-centered event: a BABY RAVE. With bubbles, toy instruments, and a live DJ energizing the space, prospective buyers could envision real life unfolding inside the home. The event not only transformed the open house but also generated buzz online, leading to increased interest and a quick transition into escrow.

Ralph’s Take

We’re always on the hunt for unique and compelling real estate marketing ideas, especially when they go beyond just showcasing a property and instead sell the lifestyle. I’ve covered strategies like the $1 asking price and sleepover showings, but the Baby Rave Open House feels like something homeowners might actually get behind. What’s next? Pet Playdates, Backyard Movie Nights, or Wellness Walkthroughs? I’m still a fan of what one creative house hunter offered to win a house last year… 🍕

P.S. Am I the only one who’s never heard of a baby rave? 🤷‍♂️