Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible. That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market.

In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why:

“No matter which way the real estate market is leaning, though, buying now means you can start building equity immediately.”

The Benefits of Buying Now

Here’s some data to break this down so you can really see the benefit of buying now versus later – if you’re able to. Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES). It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts project home prices will continue to rise through at least 2029 – just at a slower, more normal pace than they did over the past few years.

What Does This Mean for You?

To give these numbers context, consider this example: let’s say you buy a $400,000 home in early 2025. Based on the expert forecasts from the HPES, you could gain more than $83,000 in household wealth over the next five years. That’s a significant amount. If you keep on renting, you’re missing out on this potential equity gain.

Overcoming Market Challenges

While today’s market has its fair share of challenges, this is why buying is going to be worth it in the long run. If you want to buy a home, don’t give up. There are creative ways we can make your purchase possible, such as:

• Exploring more affordable areas

• Considering condos or townhomes

• Checking out down payment assistance programs

There are options available to help make homeownership a reality.

Bottom Line

If you’re torn between buying now or waiting, remember that it’s time in the market, not timing the market, that truly matters. Let’s connect to discuss your needs and explore how to get the process started today.

Contact me today to explore your homeownership options. Together, we can develop a personalized strategy to help you build wealth and find your perfect home. Don’t wait for the perfect market – start building your future now.