When we first became real estate agents in the mid-2010s, buying a home in Pittsburgh was relatively straightforward. Inventory was high, prices were low, and interest rates were manageable.
But all of that has changed.
Although it’s still possible to get a great deal in many of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, there’s more work involved—and it’s much easier when you know why the market has shifted so much.
That’s why we’re here. Study up on the toughest homebuying challenges in 2026, and learn how you should prepare to enter the market.
Table of Contents
Homebuying Challenges In 2026
How Should Homebuyers Prepare Before Entering the Market?
Bottom Line: No One Has A Crystal Ball
Homebuying Challenges In 2026
While there are a ton of factors involved, here are four of the biggest hurdles to buying a home this year:
Problem 1: Inventory Is Low
We have good news and bad news.
Here’s the good news: Inventory is the highest it’s been since we were in the middle of the COVID pandemic.
And here’s the bad news: Inventory is only at about half of what it was in 2016 (and it’s only just starting to reach the levels of 2019).
So, even though it’s improving, buyers are still feeling the pressure in the market. Low inventory generally translates into a few challenges for buyers, including:
Fewer opportunities to find your dream home
More competition from fellow buyers
More leverage for the sellers
Related Reading: 6 Beautiful & Unique Homes of Pittsburgh—And What They Can Teach You About Buying A House
Problem 2: Inventory Is Getting Older
Pittsburgh is an old city (it was first founded in 1758), and its housing stock reflects that: the median home in Pittsburgh is 68 years old, making it the second-oldest housing stock in the country.
This is a problem on three fronts, each of which may increase homebuying mistakes:
1. Old homes have old home problems. We see it all the time: Old Pittsburgh houses frequently have their original sewer lines, knob-and-tube wiring, and even sketchy waterproofing.
Even older homes may have asbestos or lead paint, especially if they haven’t been renovated in the last few decades.
While these issues may not immediately disqualify a home from consideration, they are another hurdle for homebuyers to navigate.
2. Margins are thinner for investors and fixer-upper buyers. The days of quick and easy flips in Pittsburgh are gone. Instead, homebuyers and investors are forced to make tough, strategic financial decisions.
Get ready to brush off your algebra text books to run the numbers if you want to buy a cheap home that requires major repairs!
3. Insurance requirements have grown more stringent. Insurance carriers have become pickier in recent years, and that’s bad for Pittsburgh homebuyers.
Common issues like knob-and-tube wiring could outright disqualify a home from insurance, and roofs right at the end of their lifespan could scare off potential insurers.
Problem 3: Interest Rates Are Still High
When we first started on this career path, we were still feeling the ripple effects of the 2008 housing crisis. Rates were low—historically low—and it was the perfect time to buy. Though rates bounced around, rates were incredibly strong from 2010 to around 2021 (even getting below 3% a few times).
These days?
We’re closer to the historical average of 7.71%.
Is it as bad as the ‘80s, when rates jumped to more than 18%? Nope. But it’s definitely not 3%!
Problem 4: Homebuyers Have More Hoops To Jump Through
None of this is to say homebuying is impossible—but there are some unique challenges today’s buyers face. A few examples:
Commissions - Buyers are sometimes pressured to come out of pocket to cover commissions—a trend that’s appearing during the negotiation process.
Grants - Grants have popped up to support buyers (especially first-time homebuyers), but they frequently come with their own rigid list of requirements—which creates new hurdles for buyers.
Sacrifices - Years ago, the housing stock was so great, buyers could find exactly what they wanted. These days, buyers often feel pressured to sacrifice different wants or to get creative in turning OK options into terrific picks.
Problem 5: Fewer High-Quality Agents
We don’t want to bash anyone in our space, but we should address the elephant in the room:
The real estate industry has a personnel issue.
During the pandemic, we saw many terrific agents who were nearing retirement decide to throw in the towel and formally leave the workforce.
That wasn’t good for buyers.
But once the pandemic ended, people went back to work. Suddenly, an entirely new group of people wanted to try their hand at real estate—and a fresh crop of agents entered a market that was chaotic, tech-heavy, and incredibly aggressive.
Many of them didn’t make it.
Some of them have stuck around—for better or worse.
And others have flourished.
Here’s our point: There are a lot of fresh faces in the market these days. With so much confusion in the market, you’ll likely have a better experience with someone who has more, well, experience.
How Should Homebuyers Prepare Before Entering the Market?
If you’re thinking about entering the market to buy a home, that’s wonderful! But we do encourage getting your mind right beforehand.
A few recommendations:
1. Create a wishlist, but keep an open mind. As a best practice, we always ask buyers what they’re looking for in a home, and we’ll do our best to find a home that meets each desire.
However, we know from experience that wants/needs frequently shift while touring homes, and compromises often take place after a few weeks of searching.
Keep an open mind, and your stress levels will remain low!
2. Be ready to negotiate. Sellers still have plenty of leverage. If you don’t want to meet the listing price, be ready to negotiate!
Remember: This is a great place for your agent to shine. A good agent will help you navigate the negotiation process so you get to the closing table feeling confident in your decision.
3. Find an experienced and trusted agent. As we mentioned earlier, this is a tricky market to navigate!
You may find more success working with an agent who’s creative enough and experienced enough to spot potential home issues, navigate negotiations in your favor, and develop unique solutions in your buying process.
Related Reading: 10 Advantages of Working With A Real Estate Agent
4. Get preapproved. Here’s a best practice that never goes out of style: Get preapproved for a mortgage by a lender before you start picking houses to tour.
Your preapproval is like a gold star for homes under a certain threshold, and you can shop with confidence when you know how much home you can afford.
Bottom Line: No One Has A Crystal Ball
We wish we could see the future and tell you exactly how the market will shape up in six, 12, or 24 months.
But nobody knows.
With the rates in flux, questionable employment numbers, and the looming threat of war, the overall economy is unsteady—and that sort of investor uncertainty has a widespread influence over everything (including the real estate market).
We’re here to help. Rely on us as your trusted pros.
Shoot us a message to get started on your homebuying journey.
Cheers,
J&T