How Smart Are You Now - in 2026?

If you’re anything like me, you got your start in real estate during the Great Recession. It was an incredible time to learn the ropes, build confidence, and get your feet wet. And honestly—the decade that followed was pretty fantastic.

That kind of market has real advantages. Flips—both wholesale and retail—sold fast. Renters were easy to find, and rents seemed to rise year after year. The headlines were upbeat. A couple of years ago, we were all geniuses.
Everyone felt smart.

Of course, even with the wind at our backs, there were challenges. Everyone wanted in. Competition was fierce. Good deals were harder to find as buyers raced each other, prices were bid up, and margins on the buy got squeezed. But when it came time to sell, the same frenzy helped us recover—often getting top dollar on the exit.

The market just kept going up… and up… and up.
It felt unstoppable.

Until it wasn’t.

Change always comes to real estate, and in 2025, it arrived. Buyers are hesitating. Inventory is growing. Homes are sitting longer—even with price cuts. Deals that truly pencil, whether as long-term holds or profitable flips, are harder to find and take more work. Many of us are asking tougher questions and second-guessing marginal deals.

Is now still a good time to invest in real estate?

YES.
As Robert Kiyosaki says, it’s always a good time—if you change your strategy.

Lower sale prices and flatter rents aren’t a problem when purchase prices improve and terms become more favorable. In fact, markets like this often reward investors who think clearly, negotiate well, and don’t go it alone.

While I don’t have a crystal ball, here’s what I do expect in 2026:

• Slower sales and less competition create more motivated sellers
• More motivated sellers lead to better prices and better terms
• Better terms create opportunities—if you know how to structure them

The worst move right now is letting fear—or lack of perspective—push you to the sidelines.