Housing inventory has been stubbornly tight for years — but the reasons go far deeper than "nobody wants to sell." From the mortgage rate lock-in effect to a decade of underbuilding, here's what's really driving the shortage and what smart investors need to know right now.

Most first-time buyers and landlords overestimate what they can afford — and it costs them. This 2026 guide breaks down the real numbers behind mortgage affordability, including DTI ratios, hidden costs, and how to calculate your true buying power before you make an offer.