After months of waiting, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it may not last long.
So, if you’ve put your move on the back burner, here’s why you should reconsider your plans now.
As you weigh your options and decide whether to buy now or wait, ask yourself this: What do you think everyone else is going to do?
The truth is, if mortgage rates continue to ease, as experts project, more buyers will jump back into the market. A survey from Bankrate shows over half of homeowners would be motivated to buy this year if rates drop below 6% (see graph below):
With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not far off from hitting that threshold. The bottom line is that when they drop into the 5s, the number of buyers in the market will increase–which means more competition for you.
That increased demand will likely push home prices up, potentially taking away some of the benefits you'd gain from a slightly lower interest rate. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“The downside of increased demand is that it puts upward pressure on home prices as multiple buyers compete for a limited number of homes. In markets with ongoing housing shortages, this price increase can offset some of the affordability gains from lower mortgage rates.”
So, while waiting to buy may seem like a smart move, it could backfire if rising prices outpace your savings from slightly lower rates.
What This Means for You
Right now, you’ve got the chance to get ahead of all that. Today’s market is a buyer sweet spot. Why? Because many other buyers are waiting, not as many people are actively looking for homes. That means less competition for you.
At the same time, affordability has already improved quite a bit. Recent easing in mortgage rates has made homeownership more accessible. As Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, says:
“Mortgage payments on the typical-price home are 7% lower than last year and are 13% lower than the peak in May 2024.”
And while the supply of homes for sale is still low, it's higher than in recent years. According to Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com:
“The number of homes actively for sale continues to be elevated compared with last year, growing by 35.8%, a 10th straight month of growth, and now sits at the highest since May 2020.”
This means you now have more options than you’ve had in quite a while.
With fewer buyers in the market, improving affordability, and more homes to choose from, you can find the right one before the competition heats up.
Why Waiting Could Cost You
If you’re waiting for the perfect time to buy, it’s essential to understand that timing the market is nearly impossible. The longer you wait, the higher the risk that market conditions will shift—not necessarily in your favor. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:
“It’s one of those things where you should be careful what you wish for. A further drop in mortgage rates could bring a surge of demand that makes it tougher to actually buy a house.”
Bottom Line
Don’t wait until you have to deal with more competition and higher prices to buy a home—you can buy a home while we’re in the sweet spot today. Let’s connect to make sure you’re taking advantage of it.
