The housing market is split. Some real estate markets are seeing low inventory, rising prices, and fierce buyer competition. Others are seeing steep price cuts, desperate sellers, underwater owners, and delinquency rates creeping up.

So, which housing markets are the riskiest in the country? Which market has the highest chance of seeing home price growth while the rest of America struggles for air?

We’re doing a nationwide deep dive today, looking at the metrics that matter most—home price appreciation, affordability, delinquency rates and owner distress, and underwater mortgage share. Each of these data points will allow you to predict which markets will grow, slow, and struggle over the next year.

Plus, Dave is sharing what each region of the country should be paying attention to as an investor, the riskiest markets of 2026, and the number one comeback city no one is expecting.

In This Episode We Cover

The riskiest housing markets in the U.S. that could see continued price declines

Cities seeing a return to “affordability” as buyers get a big break

Delinquency rates rising? Areas with these mortgage types see more owners fail to make payments

The “comeback” cities that have the greatest home price growth potential

Why “underwater mortgages” aren’t as scary as you think they are (but investors should still be careful)

And So Much More!

Links from the Show

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On The Market 369 - Zillow Forecast: Best and Worst Housing Markets of 2026

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