JBREC reports investors remain set on U.S. housing

Rick Palacios, Jr., John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) Director of Research and Managing Principal attended SFVegas 2026 and gave his biggest takeaways from the event. SFVegas 2026 is the finance market conference with over 10,000 professionals in attendance. Palacios described investors anticipate a stronger market despite current headwinds. “Industry participants remain optimistic for the inevitable housing-cycle inflection up, namely as borrowing costs hopefully inch lower in 2026,” said Palacios.

A positive for the current moment, he cites investments this cycle are on track for performance, with buyers able to stay consistent on payments. However looking to the future, borrower concern over AI affecting employment was a central topic. “Throughout my meetings last week, the concern of AI-ing ourselves into a household formation pullback became a common refrain—not the best news, given that all our research signals household formation growth is already slowing.” This is likely a worst-case scenario. Palacios touched more on AI and our future, investors’ opinions on public policy and the increase of homeowners tapping into HELOCs.

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