Mat Ishbia Predicts 2026 Housing Market Surge

As 2025 winds down and industry experts try to gauge how the 2026 housing market will go, Mat Ishbia, the CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), predicts that the housing market is positioned for growth in the new year.

That’s according to Ishbia’s monthly “3 Points” video released on Tuesday. Ishbia’s comments highlighted signs of stronger housing supply, improved affordability and potential new mortgage products for the new year.

Ishbia outlined three key points for the year ahead, starting with his expectation that housing supply growth and sustained demand could drive mortgage originations higher.

“Housing supply is strong, inventory is strong and affordability is pretty good,” Ishbia said, noting that many industry analysts expect originations to rise 10% to 12% next year.

“I think to myself, why not 20%? Why not 30%? Why not 40%?” he added, pointing to opportunities in purchase mortgages, refinancing and home equity lending.

Ishbia’s second point offered a glimpse into potential new mortgage products, citing recent proposals from President Donald Trump and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte for 50-year and portable mortgage options.

Ishbia said the initiatives could make homeownership more affordable by reducing monthly payments.

“People don’t care about the term. They care about the payment,” he said. Ishbia said that if backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a 50-year mortgage could expand access to homeownership and help housing values.

Lastly, Ishbia mentioned that homebuyer affordability improved for a fifth consecutive month in October, driven by lower mortgage rates and higher household incomes.

“People can afford homes they couldn’t afford before,” he said. “We are getting better across the board with affordability … so, people on the sidelines, right now is a great opportunity to get off the sidelines. Go buy that house.”