Better Living Realty broker sees values plateauing as inventory stabilizes and interest rates moderate
After years of dramatic swings, Connecticut’s real estate market is entering a period of stability that could last through 2026, according to veteran broker Rob Marucci, who’s tracked the state’s housing trends since before the 2008 crash.
Marucci, broker-owner of Better Living Realty LLC, predicts property values will plateau this year following the wild appreciation of 2021-2022 and the subsequent correction.
“I feel like the values are going to completely level off,” Marucci says. “I don’t feel like we’re going to have any more increases for a while, or any drastic decreases. It’s going to be a plateau for pricing until something changes.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
The shift is already visible in local markets. In Waterbury, Connecticut, single-family inventory has climbed from roughly 40 homes three years ago to just under 110 today. Meanwhile, price appreciation has moderated dramatically.
“Last year we saw about a 3% increase in most areas,” Marucci notes. “That’s what you want. In years past, we were seeing 10%, 15%, 20% – that’s not a healthy market.”
The moderation reflects two key factors: inventory recovery and gradual interest rate declines. While inventory remains below historical averages, the gap has narrowed significantly. Simultaneously, mortgage rates have dropped into the low-6% range for conventional loans, with some first-time buyer programs dipping below 6%.
“I think the federal government has done a nice job bringing down interest rates at a gradual pace,” Marucci says. “When they drastically change them up or down, it really shakes up the market. They’ve done a nice job easing any major change without being drastic.”
Spring Selling Season Takes Focus
With the market stabilizing, Marucci’s advice for would-be sellers centers on preparation rather than timing. January typically brings slow new listing activity as sellers wait for spring, but that delay may be unnecessary.
“I wouldn’t wait,” he advises. “You’re not going to lose value. Sometimes it’s easier to put a house on the market in winter because you don’t have to do landscaping to get it ready. You just need to prep the interior and you have less competition.”
The recommendation reflects lessons from the pandemic era, when conventional wisdom about seasonal patterns proved obsolete. While spring still brings the highest inventory surge, winter selling can offer strategic advantages—particularly in a market where competition matters more than in recent years.
For buyers, Marucci emphasizes due diligence over timing. “You can always find a good deal in any market, whether it’s up, down, or flat. Just continue doing your due diligence and make sure you’re working with an experienced agent because you don’t want to buy a problem home.”
The Longer View
Marucci’s perspective comes from unusual longevity in Connecticut real estate. He started investing in 2007 – immediately before the crash – and launched Better Living Realty in 2010, during the depths of the downturn.
“In my first 10 years in real estate, the market was going down almost every year, consistently,” he recalls. “I started at the top in 2007, and it slowly went down. There was a major crash in 2008, then it only leveled off around 2012.”
That experience shapes his current outlook. While he sees stability ahead, he remains watchful for warning signs: rising foreclosures, affordability pressures, and financial innovations like 50-year mortgages that suggest buyers are stretching too far.
“Anytime they do stuff like that, it’s not good,” Marucci says of extended mortgage terms. “If you can’t afford a 30-year mortgage, you probably shouldn’t buy a house right now. You should look into saving and investing and working your way up.”
For now, Connecticut’s market appears to have found equilibrium after years of extremes – a development Marucci views as positive for all parties.
“It feels a lot more normal,” he says. “You’re seeing open houses, you’re seeing price reductions. It feels like we’re trending back toward a healthier market without any drastic changes.”
About Rob Marucci
Rob Marucci is founder and broker-owner of Better Living Realty LLC in Connecticut. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and has been active in Connecticut real estate since 2007 as both an agent and investor.