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Search behavior can be a real-time window to economic stress, often showing signs of financial stress before it becomes apparent in lagging official data. And right now, the latest signal from the US housing market is raising eyebrows.
As of February 2026, Google search interest in the US for “can’t sell house” has reached an all-time high – the highest level seen during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 lockdown period (1).
This increase is creating a significant imbalance in the supply and demand of the US housing market. A new report from Redfin found that there were nearly 600,000 more home sellers than buyers in January 2026 – a gap of about 44% (2).
While a surge in sellers is usually associated with a buyer’s market, Redfin cautioned that “it’s only a buyer’s market for those who can afford to buy,” noting that high housing costs and economic uncertainty “have caused many house hunters to retreat.”
In fact, the number of US home buyers fell 8% year over year to 1.36 million in January – the lowest level on record, according to Redfin estimates.
Affordability has become one of the defining pressure points in the US housing market. Housing analyst Melody Wright has warned that the growing correlation between home prices and household income strength could set the stage for a correction that has passed through the Great Recession.
“I think we’re going to go all the way to a point where the median household income matches the median home price. And it’s going to be worse than it was in 2008,” Wright said in a recent interview.
This is a dire warning. The 2008 housing meltdown wiped out trillions in household wealth, decimated home values, and forced millions of Americans into foreclosure.
Today, the talent gap has grown exponentially. An August 2025 Realtor.com report found that the typical US household earned about 46% less income than is needed for a median-priced home (3).
When asked how much prices would need to fall to restore balance, Wright said bluntly: “It’s going to be closer to your 50% and in some areas a lot more.”
Given how much U.S. household wealth is tied to home equity—and how much recent buyers are buying—a 50% decline would be devastating.
Wright believes that the correction could “go down a few years,” but that the price reduction could begin in 2026.
There are already signs of change. Zillow recently reported that 53% of US homes lost value in the past year, with an average decline of 9.7% (4).
And Wright isn’t alone in sounding the alarm. Rich dad, poor dad Author Robert Kiyosaki has warned that the “greatest crash in history” is about to begin – adding the “residential real estate crash” to this scenario as well.
If you share these concerns, now may be a good time to begin your financial spending.
When storms gather in the markets, gold often takes the spotlight — and for good reason.
Seen as the ultimate safe haven for the long term, gold is not tied to any one country, currency or economy. It cannot be created at will by central banks like fiat money and in times of economic turmoil, market turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors appreciate its value.
Over the past 12 months, the price of gold has increased by more than 75%.
Ray DeLeo, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of gold in a flexible portfolio.
“People generally don’t have enough gold in their portfolios,” he told CNBC last year. “When times are bad, gold is a very effective diversifier.”
One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax benefits is to open a gold IRA with Preferred Gold.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets in a retirement account, thus combining the tax benefits of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to help protect their retirement funds against economic uncertainty.
When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can get up to $10,000 worth of precious metals for free. Just remember that gold is often used as part of a well-diversified portfolio.
Read more: I’m almost 50 and have no retirement savings. Is it too late to catch up?
Read more: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10
Famous investors like Dalio often emphasize the importance of diversification—and for good reason. Traditional assets often move together during times of stress, as seen in 2008, when both stocks and real estate fell sharply.
This message feels especially relevant today. The S&P 500’s weighting is nearly 40% concentrated in the top ten stocks, and the index’s CAPE ratio has not been this high since the dot-com boom.
This is where alternative assets come into play for many investors, including everything from precious metals and private equity to collectibles.
But there’s one store of value that regularly flies under the radar: It’s understated by design, has worldwide interest and is frequently blocked by agencies.
We’re talking about postwar and contemporary art—a category that has fallen out of the S&P 500 since 1995 with a low correlation.
It’s easy to see why pieces of art often fetch new highs at auctions: the supply of great works of art is limited and many of the most sought-after pieces are already snapped up by museums and collectors. This decline can also make art an attractive option for investors looking for asset diversification and preservation during periods of high inflation.
Until recently, buying art was a domain reserved for the very rich – as in 2022 when the art collection owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sold at Christie’s New York for $1.5 billion, making it the most valuable collection in auction history (5).
Now, Masterworks — a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artworks by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy — can help you get started in this wealth class. It’s easy to use and with 25 successful exits to date, Masterworks has distributed over $65 million in total revenue (including originals).
Simply browse their impressive portfolio of designs and choose how many shares you wish to purchase. Masterworks can handle all the details, making high-end art investments both accessible and effortless.
New offers sell out in minutes, but you can leave their waiting list here.
Remember that past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investments are risky. See the Reg A disclosure at masterworks.com/cd.
While today’s housing market may make selling more challenging, one legacy of decades of rising home prices is that many homeowners are sitting on significant equity. For those who bought years ago, this built-up value can represent a meaningful financial cushion.
At the same time, high mortgage rates and softening pricing dynamics have made home sales less attractive for many families. Walking away from a low-fixed-rate mortgage — or listing to a cold market — isn’t always an attractive option.
The good news is that accessing home equity doesn’t mean putting your home on the market. Some homeowners choose to tap into the equity they’ve already built — without selling — to help manage major expenses, consolidate high-interest debt or create a little more breathing room in their budget.
AmeriSave offers a Home Flexible Line of Credit (HELOC) that allows homeowners to borrow against their equity as needed during the foreclosure period, making it useful for renovations, debt consolidation or ongoing projects.
It’s perfect for homeowners who want the most online, low-competition experience from a popular mortgage lender — and who prefer to raise funds only when needed rather than take out a large loan.
AmeriSave’s HELOC is managed through an online platform where you can check your rate, apply and digitally monitor your line of credit.
After reviewing your home equity, credit and income, AmeriSave sets a credit limit and gives you a draw period, allowing you to withdraw funds when needed. You only pay interest on what you use and repay the balance over time, giving you a flexible, on-demand financial tool that’s protected by your home.
The housing crash of 2008 hit the entire economy. Jobs were laid off, unemployment rose and families across the country were suddenly hit hard. If another big correction comes, it’s worth strengthening your safety net before the ripple effects affect it.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to have an easily accessible cash cushion. If your income suddenly suffers, this buffer helps you avoid taking out expensive loans or being forced to sell your investment at the worst possible time.
So how big should this safety net be?
Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey recommends having an emergency fund that can cover three to six months of living expenses. What’s most important, though, is persistence—adding a little at a time until your safety net begins to take shape.
To get started, a high-yield account, such as a Wealthfront cash account, can be a great place to grow your emergency fund, offering competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.
Wealthfront’s Cash Account can provide a base variable APY of 3.30%, but Money Readers can earn a special 0.75% boost in their first three months for a 4.05% APY. That’s more than 10 times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s February report.
With no minimum balance or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Additionally, Wealthfront cash account balances up to $8 million are FDIC-insured through program banks.
At the end of the day, everyone’s financial situation is different—from income levels and investment goals to debt obligations and risk tolerance—which means the best move for someone else may not be the best move for you. And when the economic outlook is uncertain, these differences are even more important.
If you’re not sure where to start, it might be a good time to contact a financial advisor through Advisor.com.
Advisor.com is an online platform that matches you with vetted financial advisors who fit your specific needs. They can help you develop a strategy tailored to your specific financial situation, whether you’re looking to grow wealth, hedge against uncertainty or plan for long-term financial security.
Once you’re matched with a consultant, you can book a free consultation with no obligation to hire.
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