A Good Year For Real Estate-With The Right Perspective

by Betsy Brush, RMLO with Jon Jacobs RMLO.

Jon Jacobs is the founder and owner of Eagle Home Loans.

Disclosure: Betsy Brush is a licensed mortgage loan originator with Eagle Home Loans. This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of loan terms. All loan programs, rates, and terms are subject to change and borrower qualifications.  Betsy Brush | NMLS #2678985; Eagle Home Loans | NMLS #1596089 Equal Housing Lender

Every year The Tyler Chamber of Commerce hosts one of the most anticipated events: the economic outlook from Dr. Ray Perryman. Nearly a thousand business leaders show up to hear his take on the economy. This year was no different. A full room, a lot of attention, and a sense—shared by many—that 2026 will be a good year.

That optimism wasn’t misplaced. Perryman didn’t push back on it. In fact, much of what he shared supports it.

Alongside that optimism, one idea kept coming up.

Uneven.

Later that afternoon, over coffee, Jon and I found ourselves talking about that—and just as importantly, what he didn’t talk about.

Uneven doesn’t mean the economy is bad, Jon said. That was one of Perryman’s clearest points. The fundamentals are still there. Nationally, growth continues. In Texas, it’s stronger. And in places like Tyler, the long-term picture remains solid—job growth, population growth, business activity—all moving in the right direction.

What is uneven is how that growth may show up.

Some industries are expanding faster than others. Some regions are cooling a bit while others continue to move forward. The data isn’t flashing warning signs—it’s just not moving in a straight line.

That context matters.

Most people experience the economy through headlines, not through full reports or long-term data. One day the story sounds encouraging, the next day it sounds cautionary. Perryman acknowledged that mixed messaging, but he kept returning to the same idea: when you step back and look at the full picture, the foundation remains healthy.

The risk isn’t optimism. The risk is optimism without perspective.

When information is mixed, people don’t necessarily make bad decisions—but they do hesitate. Not because waiting is always wrong, but because it becomes harder to know what applies to your situation specifically.

That’s where clarity becomes more valuable.

When conditions are straightforward, decisions tend to be easier. When they’re uneven, experience is an important way information gets filtered and explained. Understanding how income stability, timing, long-term plans, and risk tolerance fit together matters more than reacting to any single data point.

That’s a big part of the work we do (at Eagle Home Loans) — helping clients translate a generally positive outlook into decisions that make sense for them personally.

At one point, Jon paused and mentioned something he often comes back to.

Years ago, Captain Chesley Sullenberger landed a disabled plane on the Hudson River. He had never done that before. No one had. But every hour of flying, every training scenario, every past experience came into play in that moment.

It wasn’t about improvising. It was about experience showing up when conditions changed.

That idea fits here.

Perryman was also clear that we shouldn’t expect perfectly smooth or uniform conditions—and that naturally led us to talk about timing. Not market timing in a dramatic sense, but personal timing.

In a year many expect to be strong, timing becomes less about rushing and more about sequencing—understanding when your move makes sense in a market that isn’t moving evenly for everyone.

Uneven market environments tend to reward preparation. Not urgency. Not speculation. Just readiness.

Some buyers are in a position to move when others aren’t. That doesn’t make one group optimistic and the other cautious—it simply reflects different circumstances. The key is knowing where you stand before a decision becomes time-sensitive.

Preparation creates flexibility. When people understand their full financial picture ahead of time, they don’t have to react emotionally to headlines or feel rushed when opportunity—or necessity—arises.

Follow through matters here too.

In markets like this, certainty carries weight. Realtors value deals that close as expected. Sellers want confidence. Buyers don't want surprises. That comes from doing the work early and understanding the full picture before moving forward—not from shortcuts or flashy marketing.

We also talked about Perryman’s outlook for Texas and Tyler specifically. His confidence there felt measured and well-supported. Texas continues to attract people and businesses, and Tyler benefits from that momentum along with its own economic mix and relative affordability. Cycles still exist, but the base remains strong.

I asked Jon what his takeaway was on Perryman’s message? His answer:

The message wasn’t to dial back optimism—it was to pair it with perspective.

Growth is continuing. Momentum is real. But it won’t look the same everywhere or for everyone. And in that kind of environment, setting expectations and steady guidance tend to matter more than hype.

Final thought

Dr. Perryman’s outlook was balanced and encouraging. A good year is still very much on the table—especially here in Texas—but it’s a year that will reward clarity, preparation, and experienced guidance.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or planning your next move, sometimes the most valuable next step is simply a grounded conversation about how today’s positive—but complex—environment applies to you.

We’re always happy to talk through your goals and options – give us a call or reach out by email.

Betsy Brush, RMLO

NMLS# 2678985/1596089

Mobile 903-343-4411

Email betsy@eaglehome.loans

Jon Jacobs, RMLO

NMLS# 377805/1596089

Mobile 903-530-9382

Email jon@eaglehome.loans

Important Notice:

Market forecasts, projections, and housing data discussed in this article are based on industry sources and are subject to change. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Individual loan scenarios may vary based on credit profile, property type, and market conditions.