The Perna Team - Metro Detroit News, Real Estate, Events & More
Posts
2026 Housing & Finance Market Forecast + Homes Coming to Market & More

2026 Housing & Finance Market Forecast + Homes Coming to Market & More

Michael Perna
January 08, 2026

My 2026 Market Predictions | Real Estate, Finance, and MORE

2026 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity — but only for those paying close attention. The Metro Detroit housing market isn’t crashing, but it’s not cruising either. Home values are trending up, mortgage rates are set to drop, and buyer demand is waiting to snap back the second affordability improves. For sellers, that means timing and prep matter more than they did in the frenzy years. For buyers, it means the early part of the year may be the best chance to move before the market heats up again. This forecast breaks down everything you need to know — from home prices to rents, interest rates, luxury sales, and why Metro Detroit is moving differently than the national headlines.

Outdoor Winter Adventures in Metro Detroit Every Family Will Love

Metro Detroit has no shortage of outdoor winter activities for families, from iconic city skating to ski hills, riverfront play spots, and state parks built for snowshoeing. This guide curates the best outdoor winter adventures across Detroit and the suburbs with official hours, addresses, and direct links, plus practical tips to plan a great winter day outside. A lifelong Michigander knows the secret to enjoying winter is not pretending it is “indoors season.” Metro Detroit is at its best when families pick a plan, bundle up, and turn the cold into a tradition: Friday night lights, Saturday skating, Sunday park trails, and a warm drink waiting at the end. Many of the best outdoor winter activities are in full swing, and a few signature seasonal events are right around the corner.

Rx Kids Expands to Detroit: Cash Support

Detroit will soon become the largest city to offer Michigan’s Rx Kids cash aid program for new mothers and their babies. Every eligible pregnant Detroit mom will receive a one-time $1,500 stipend during pregnancy, followed by $500 per month for the baby’s first six months after birth, no strings attached. The goal is to ease financial stress on families during a critical time, improve infant health outcomes, and give every Detroit baby a stronger start in life. Detroiters know raising a child isn’t cheap, especially in a city where many families already stretch every dollar. From diapers and formula to doctor visits, the costs add up quickly. In Detroit, where more than half of children were living below the poverty line as of 2024, those challenges are even more acute.

Quote of the Week

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."

- Paul J. Meyer

Metro Detroit Weekend Events

Bowers School Farm’s Winter Park is giving families a classic winter outing this weekend, with farm animals to visit, comfort food served at the Farm Kitchen, and local goods available in the farm store. The highlight is the 200-foot-long tubing hill, which lights up with colorful nighttime displays for extra after-dark fun. Winter Park runs now through March 1 with free entry to the farm, while tubing requires a timed ticket priced at $17 per person (plus a processing fee) for a 50-minute session at Bowers School Farm.

Candyland at Beacon Park is lighting up Detroit with a free outdoor installation that is perfect for an easy winter stroll and seasonal photos this weekend. Visitors can walk through larger-than-life displays including a giant gingerbread house, full-size gingerbread men, a candy cane arch, oversized walk-through snowflakes, and other holiday-themed photo opportunities. The attraction is open now through January 20 and is free to the public at Beacon Park.

Broadway Rave: A Musical Theater Dance Party brings a high-energy night out for showtune fans this weekend, inviting guests to sing, dance, and celebrate their favorite musical theater hits in a packed sing-along party atmosphere. The event takes place January 10 at The Loving Touch, with tickets priced at $26.49.

The Art of Zingerman’s: A Feast for Your Eyes – Second Course is now on display through February 27 at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, giving visitors a close-up look at the hand-drawn artwork that helped define Zingerman’s signature style. The exhibit features thousands of original pieces pulled from packaging and catalogs, including familiar characters like Grandpa Pickle and Bacon Detective, making it an easy stop for anyone who loves local food culture, design, and Ann Arbor nostalgia.

Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming Hockeytown is now open at the Detroit Historical Museum, marking the franchise’s 100th anniversary with a new exhibit that showcases rare artifacts and memorabilia spanning the team’s history. The exhibit runs through November 3, 2026, making it an easy weekend stop for fans and locals who want a deeper look at how Detroit became Hockeytown. General admission is $15, with discounts available for seniors, students, children, and other eligible guests.

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in Metro Detroit, The Perna Team can help you. We're fast, friendly, and have served thousands of families in the Metro Detroit area with their real estate needs. Click below to start viewing what's available in Metro Detroit today, or reach out and find out what your home is worth on today's market!