Waiting feels safe. Until you actually do the math!
As we move further into 2026, this is worth pondering for a minute, especially with mortgage rates moving slightly lower over the last month or so.
Let’s rewind the last few years…
2019: “I’ll wait for a crash.”
2020: “Pandemic. Here it comes.”
2021: “Prices are crazy. I’ll wait.”
2022: “Rates are too high.”
2023: “Still overpriced.”
2024: “Election year. I’ll wait.”
2025: Still renting. Still waiting.
Meanwhile, the people everyone called panic buyers? Their homes are worth roughly 30% to 50% more. They’ve built six years of equity. They haven’t written a rent check in years.
The crash everyone keeps waiting for? Even a 15% correction still puts today’s prices well above 2019. If you’ve waited and tried to time the market, you’re still behind…and now you’ve paid rent the entire time.
There’s one more thing that is rarely mentioned: if prices do dip, every sidelined buyer rushes in at once. Inventory tightens. Multiple offers return. That “deal” turns into a bidding war. You end up overpaying anyway, just years later.
Time in the market keeps beating timing the market. Every year you wait has a cost. Appreciation you don’t get back. Equity you never build. Rent you never recover.
Everyone’s situation is different – that’s for sure – and buying isn’t right for everyone, and that matters. But if homeownership is a goal at some point, it’s worth having an honest conversation about what options actually exist today.
And it would be my pleasure to help!
As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…
The blog postings on this site represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Starlight Mortgage. Each loan is subject to underwriter final approval. All information, loan programs, interest rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deductions.
