Some buyers are worried home prices are headed for a crash. Others are hoping for one, especially if lower prices could make buying a home more affordable.

But what are housing experts actually expecting?

Fannie Mae recently surveyed more than 100 housing experts about where home prices could be headed. Their latest forecast points to continued price growth through 2030.

Even the more pessimistic experts aren’t forecasting a crash.

Home Prices Are Still Expected To Rise

On average, the panel expects home prices to increase about 14.7% over the next five years.

Even among the more pessimistic forecasts, prices are still projected to rise about 6.6% by the end of 2030.

That doesn’t mean every market will move the same way. Real estate is local, and some areas may see stronger growth while others could experience flatter prices or short term declines.

But nationally, the experts surveyed are still expecting prices to move higher over time.

Growth May Be Slower, But It’s Still Growth

The forecast has changed slightly compared with a year ago.

Experts now expect prices to grow about 2.5% this year, up from their previous forecast of 2.1%.

For 2027 through 2029, expectations have cooled somewhat. But the important distinction is that slower appreciation isn’t the same thing as falling home prices.

Instead, it could signal a housing market returning to a more normal pace after several unusual years.

What Could That Mean for Homeowners?

Consider a $400,000 home purchased at the beginning of the year.

Based on the panel’s latest forecast, that home could gain roughly $58,000 in value over the next five years from price appreciation alone.

Of course, forecasts aren’t guarantees, and your results will depend heavily on your local market.

But for buyers waiting specifically for a major housing crash before making a move, current expert forecasts don’t point in that direction.

Bottom Line

Home price growth may slow, and some local markets may perform differently than others. But nationally, experts are still forecasting higher home prices through 2030.

If you’re wondering what this could mean for home values in your area, let’s look at what’s happening in the local market and how it fits with your plans.