Should You Buy a Home Now or Wait?

With the average 30-year mortgage rate expected to stabilize around 6-6.5% this year, homeownership may now be out of reach for millions more Americans. Is it still a good time to buy a home or should you wait until prices drop?

Watch this quick video from Cathy to find out!

Buying a house—in any market—is a highly personal decision. Because homes represent the largest single purchase most people will make in their lifetime, it’s crucial to be in a solid financial position and work with an experienced Realtor before diving in.

Tips for Buying in a Hot Housing Market

Start with a budget and make a pact with yourself to stick with it. Even with a slight uptick in the number of homes for sale, buyers are still facing steep prices and mortgage rates in the 6-6.5% range this year.

We ask our clients first and foremost, ‘What does your gut say?’ If the [timing] feels wrong, you will always find the wrong home, so just wait.

On the flip side, trying to time the market or predict what might happen next year is not the best homebuying strategy. Instead, it’s better to buy based on your budget and needs. If you find a home you love in an area you love and it also fits your budget, then chances are it might be right for you. However, if you make too many sacrifices just to get a house, you may end up with buyer’s remorse and an expensive albatross you have to offload.

“If you’re waiting for prices to suddenly plummet to what they were in the past, you’re making a mistake,” Cathy LaMon.

What really matters when purchasing a house is your personal finances and long-term economic stability. Ask yourself: Are you debt-free? Do you have an emergency fund for three to six months of expenses? Will your monthly house payment be 25% or less of your monthly take-home pay? If you don’t comfortably meet these qualifications, it wouldn’t matter if the market is in your favor.

The shift in the current market means less competition for buyers for the first time in several years! If you are ready to purchase that home of your dreams, reach out to our team. We're here to help you build a life you love in a home you love!