2026 Housing Market Predictions Every Home Inspector Should Know
Tired of the days of waived inspection contingencies? Yeah, we are too. The good thing is, in 2026 inspectors should be seeing a lot more action, as the market shifts into a more balanced place.
We talked to AHIT Instructor and Professional Home Inspector Chris Kjeldsen for his takes on 2026 market predictions, and what he thinks inspectors need to do to prepare their businesses for the new year.
How 2026 Housing Market Predictions Will Shape Demand for Home Inspections
If you’re looking for a quick stats sheet, here are the 2026 housing trend highlights:
U.S. home sales are expected to increase in 2026, following a slower period in 2024–2025.
The home inspection services market is growing independently of housing cycles, driven by risk awareness, insurance requirements, and professional standards.
Overall: Inspectors in 2026 are likely to see fuller schedules, steadier year-round work, and more competition, making positioning and service offerings more important than ever.
“In addition,” Chris says, “several inspectors have left the industry in the last couple of years. This makes now a perfect time to make the move to the home inspection industry.”
More Transactions, More Inspection Opportunities
Most 2026 housing forecasts point to a modest rebound in home sales, not a crash or a speculative surge. As competition among buyers cools compared to the peak years, fewer buyers are willing to waive inspections, making inspections a standard — and expected — part of the transaction again.
The Home Inspector Services Market Is Growing on Its Own
It’s also important to separate the housing market from the home inspection services market, which is increasingly recognized as its own professional services sector. Industry research projects steady growth in inspection-related revenue over the next decade, regardless of short-term housing fluctuations.
This growth is driven most notably by safety-conscious buyers and homeowners. Inspectors can use this to their advantage by providing detailed reports that highlight issues and potential issues and making recommendations for professional assistance where needed.
What 2026 Likely Means for Inspectors’ Day-to-Day Work
It’s nice to get a snapshot from “above” as the new year comes into focus. But how will this impact the day-to-day job? Here are some ways you can prepare for a slightly-new, slightly-improved “normal.”
Fuller Schedules and Softer Seasonality
Based on these market predictions, inspectors could experience less extreme cycles of business, and should prepare for a steadier volume of work.
This may look like more consistent weekly bookings and less downtime between jobs — even during traditionally slower months. While it may not feel high-speed, the work should be steadier and more predictable.
Impact on New vs. Established Inspectors
Of course, regardless of market conditions, inspectors will likely experience different job conditions depending on their levels of expertise.
Established inspectors may see:
- Fuller calendars and longer booking lead times
- More freedom to raise fees modestly
- The ability to prioritize ideal clients, agents, or higher-margin services
For example, being booked out two weeks instead of a few days can change how you price, schedule, and say “no” to lower-value jobs.
Newer inspectors, meanwhile, may benefit from:
- Overflow work when seasoned inspectors are fully booked
- More opportunities to get on preferred vendor lists
- An easier entry point into a market that needs capacity
In a growing services market, demand doesn’t concentrate only at the top — it creates room for new professionals who are ready to step in. This is a good reason for new inspectors to network with one another, or find jobs with bigger companies who can help “spread the wealth” (literally?) as the jobs start coming in. Chris says the benefits don’t end there.
“Especially for inspectors who stuck around in 2024 and 2025 when the market was especially tough, the business should be much better. Inspectors who properly kept marketing their business should see the rewards to their efforts come to fruition in the new year.”
Where Inspectors Can Grow Revenue: Specialization and Add-On Services
In a growing services market, demand doesn’t concentrate only at the top — it creates room for new professionals who are ready to step in. Chris is excited for this opportunity.
“I look forward to starting a bunch of new inspectors this year and watching them thrive. The market always cycles, and we are now coming off a low market. Now that there’s more room for new professionals to get in, it’s going to get exciting!”
High-Risk Specializations for Risk-Averse Buyers
Homes are still expensive, and insurance availability is more complex than ever, meaning buyers and agents are less interested in “checking the inspection box” and more focused on avoiding expensive surprises. For inspectors, this creates an opportunity to assess, document, and communicate risk more deeply.
Because high-risk areas vary by region, it’s a good idea to take note of your state or region’s highest risk areas in the home and focus on those.
High-Value Inspection Services
While add-on services can always offer a boost to your income, these specializations rank above the rest for supplementing the income just a little bit more.
Services well-positioned for 2026 demand include:
- Radon testing
- Sewer scopes
- Mold or moisture assessments
- Pest or termite inspections (where applicable)
- Insurance-driven inspections like 4-point or wind mitigation
- Energy efficiency or maintenance-focused evaluations
Sample bundles inspectors might offer:
- Full Home Inspection + Radon + Sewer Scope
- Buyer Risk Package: Full Inspection + Moisture + Insurance Inspection
Whether you decide to offer one extra service or a bundle, Chris emphasizes the importance that inspectors get proper training first, to avoid potential litigation:
“It’s so important to be properly trained in any add-ons offered. So many inspectors don’t get properly trained and certified, and as a result increase their risk, and don’t provide the quality service they should be providing. Be sure you only offer what you’re really qualified to do.”
Competition, Technology, and Reputation in a Growing Inspection Market
More Inspectors Entering the Field
We may start to see more home inspectors join the industry this year and looking further ahead, especially as the market stabilizes. That’s good for meeting demand — but it also means standing out requires more than just a license.
Chris shares that in 2026, professionalism and clarity will matter more as competition increases.
“Being properly trained is so very important in developing a well-respected home inspection company that will thrive this year, and in future years.”
Software, Visuals, and Fast Turnaround Become Standard
Clients and agents increasingly expect:
- Clean, digital inspection reports
- Clear photos with annotations
- Fast delivery — often same-day or next morning
Modern software tools make this easier, and as a result, these capabilities are becoming baseline expectations, not differentiators.
Inspectors who streamline reporting and communication gain time back while still meeting rising expectations.
Brand, Reviews, and Agent Relationships Decide Who Gets the Call
In a more crowded market, inspectors who consistently win work tend to:
- Respond quickly and communicate clearly
- Maintain strong online reviews and a trustworthy brand
- Deliver readable, non-alarmist reports that agents can work with
Positioning yourself as a trusted advisor becomes a major advantage. Chris shares that as a home inspector, putting yourself in the right place can make all the difference in becoming this advisor.
“I find that becoming part of the real estate market is huge in maintaining a strong home inspection business. What I mean by this is that we must participate in all realtor activities that make themselves available to us. By doing so, we can tap into an endless supply of business. Like Bob Burg said, ‘people do business with people they know, like, and trust’.”
Chris’ Top Tips for How Home Inspectors Should Prepare Their Business for 2026
Here are the top three things you can do to prepare your home inspection business for success in 2026:
- Plan for a higher workload by updating your capacity or increasing connections.
- Train diligently so you can add offerings and stand out in the business.
- Refresh your marketing with updated offerings, pricing, and messaging.
Here are the details from Chris.
“Updating your marketing strategy would be very important as we move into the new year. Here are some ideas for your business:
Tweak your branding (read Building Your Story Brand by Donald Miller for some great ideas).
How’s your website look? Refer to Mr. Miller’s book for some ideas as well. From there, look for ways to plug into the industry. Make a plan to visit realtor offices. Look over your referral base and add to it as much as possible.
Networking is a big deal, but it can be fun.
Be sure to hit as many open houses as possible. These are a MUST. And have a nice goody bag to give to the realtors. Label it “Realtor Success Kit” with your business logo on it. From there, here’s what you can include: a branded bag, bottle of water, hard candies, cookie or breakfast bar, business cards, brochures, newsletter, and A NICE giveaway! The home inspection prep list or home maintenance checklist could be a good inclusion here, too.
Make the visits quick and show respect to the realtor, especially if they have a client. Get their business card. Follow up with a “Nice to meet you” e-mail or note.
Another way to connect with agents is to join the Association of Realtors, and get involved. Participate in realtor events, and invite them out for events of your own. Golf events, BBQ’s, fundraisers, are all good places to participate and mingle.
Finding realtors is easy and fun, and a sure-fire way the succeed big in 2026!”
Embrace New Opportunities in Style — Er, Skill
2026 is your year, inspector! If you’ve stuck with it through the last few years’ rough patch, you deserve this. If you’re new, it’s your time to shine in this career. Now’s your chance to brush up on your training and get your business in tip-top shape. We’ve got your back.
About the Author: Lizzie DesRosiers
