Mortgage brokers are optimistic about the year ahead, with many anticipating more business.
AD Mortgage's Mortgage Professionals Pulse Report and 2026 Outlook found 57.6% of the more than 300 brokers surveyed said they felt motivated heading into the new year and 84.5% said they expect business to grow in 2026.
"Partner feedback confirms the industry's optimism for a strong 2026," AD Mortgage CEO Max Slyusarchuk said. "This positive market outlook provides the information needed to build strategies that empower mortgage professionals to drive market growth."
Of those who think business will expand next year, 38.5% cited the strengthening of referral networks as a key factor that will drive growth, while 30.4% credited the
Nearly 70% think 2025 was a better year for business than 2024, and brokers had an average satisfactory score of 7.6 out of 10.
The most challenging obstacles last year were external, the brokers said, as 67.8% pointed to broad economic and market conditions and 43.5% noted rate volatility. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
Client acquisition issues were mentioned by 31.4%, while internal and operational factors, such as tools or regulatory shifts, played a smaller role.
The majority of brokers said borrower hesitation was largely driven by interest rates, and 59.7% said rates were the main reason clients didn't move forward. Home prices were the main cause for 27.9%, while credit concerns accounted for 7.1% of responses.
With mortgage rates resting near 6.22% over the last month, home price appreciation may flatten next year.
"House price growth has stabilized in the low-single digits as the market adjusts to a new normal for mortgage rates and a constrained affordability environment," said Mark Fleming, chief economist at First American, in a press release Thursday.
"The new housing market normal is characterized by minimal price appreciation and, in some regions, outright decline," he added. "Slower price growth offers buyers a bit of affordability breathing room in near term, and with wage growth exceeding house price growth, affordability is poised to
What do real estate agents say?
Real estate agents also have a positive outlook on 2026. Seventy-eight percent of agents expect home sale transaction volumes to increase next year, with 32% anticipating a 0%-to-5% increase, 32% predicting a 5%-to-10% rise and 12% forecasting transactions will surge by more than 10%, according to The Real Brokerage's monthly agent survey analysis.
But 60% of agents still think home prices will increase in 2026 and continue affordability issues.
"Across our November survey, agents are clearly signaling confidence in a stronger housing market in 2026," said Tamir Poleg, chairman and CEO of Real. "While transaction activity has yet to meaningfully rebound, sentiment remains resilient. Agents are adapting to new market realities, investing in their businesses, and positioning themselves to capitalize on an eventual recovery."
