US housing market poised to crash ‘worse than 2008,’ expert warns. And 50% plunge could start in 2026. Protect yourself

She’s not the only one sounding alarms. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently said the housing market is already in a “recession” due to Federal Reserve policy (5). And “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki has warned that the “biggest crash in history” is beginning — adding that “residential real estate crashes” in this scenario as well.

If you share these concerns, now may be a good time to start preparing.

A safe haven for ‘bad times’

When storm clouds gather over the markets, gold often reclaims the spotlight.

Long seen as the ultimate safe haven, gold isn’t tied to any single country, currency or economy. It can’t be created at will by central banks like fiat money and in times of economic turmoil, market turbulence or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in — driving up its value.

Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by more than 50%.

Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, has repeatedly emphasized gold’s importance in a resilient portfolio.

“People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he told CNBC earlier this year. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)

Build a safety net

The 2008 housing crash didn’t just wipe out home equity — it rippled through the entire economy. Layoffs mounted, the unemployment rate spiked and families across the country found themselves suddenly vulnerable. If another major correction is coming, it’s worth strengthening your safety net before the ripple effects hit.

One of the most effective ways to do that is by having a cushion of readily accessible cash. If your income suddenly takes a hit, that buffer helps you stay afloat without taking on costly debt or being forced to sell investments at the worst possible time.

So how big should that safety net be?

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey suggests having an emergency fund that can cover three to six months worth of living expenses. What matters most, though, is consistency — adding a little at a time until your safety net starts 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 both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.

A Wealthfront Cash Account can provide a base variable APY of 3.50%, but Moneywise readers can get an exclusive 0.65% boost over their first three months for a total APY of 4.15% provided by program banks on your uninvested cash. That’s over nine times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s September report.

With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, you can ensure your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks.

Get expert guidance

At the end of the day, everyone’s financial situation is different — from income levels and investment goals to debt obligations and risk tolerance. And when the economic outlook is uncertain, those differences matter even more. If you’re unsure where to start, now could be the right time to get in touch with a financial advisor.

With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing so far and make sure you've got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals and Vanguard’s advisers will help you set a tailored plan and even help you stick to it.

Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. Because they’re fiduciaries, they don’t earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.