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Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Noopur Gupta April 24, 2025

At some point, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.”

That’s because homeownership is about the long game – and home prices typically rise over time. So, while you may be holding out for prices to fall or rates to improve, you should know that trying to time the market rarely works.

Here’s what most buyers don’t always think about: the longer you wait, the more buying could cost you. And you deserve to understand why.

Forecasts Say Prices Will Keep Climbing

Each quarter, over 100 housing market experts weigh in for the Home Price Expectations Survey from Fannie Mae, and they consistently agree on one thing: nationally, home prices are expected to rise through at least 2029.

Yes, the sharp price increases are behind us, but experts project a steady, healthy, and sustainable increase of 3-4% per year going forward. And while this will vary by local market from year to year, the good news is, this is a much more normal pace – a welcome sign for the housing market and hopeful buyers (see graph below):

a graph of green bars

And even in markets experiencing more modest price growth or slight short-term declines, the long game of homeownership wins over time.

So, here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Next year’s home prices will be higher than this year’s. The longer you wait, the more the purchase price will go up.
  • Waiting for the perfect mortgage rate or a price drop may backfire. Even if rates dip slightly, projected home price growth could still make waiting more expensive overall.
  • Buying now means building equity sooner. When you play the long game of homeownership, your equity rewards you over time.

What You’ll Miss Out On

Let’s put real numbers into this equation, because it adds up quickly. Based on those expert projections, if you bought a typical $400,000 home in 2025, it could gain nearly $80,000 in value by 2030 (see graph below):

a graph of growth in a chartThat’s a serious boost to your future wealth – and why your friends and family who already bought a home are so glad they did. Time in the market matters.

So, the question isn’t: should I wait? It’s really: can I afford to buy now? Because if you can stretch a little or you’re willing to buy something a bit smaller just to get your foot in the door, this is why it’ll be worth it.

Yes, today’s housing market has challenges, but there are ways to make it work, like exploring different neighborhoods, asking your lender about alternative financing, or tapping into down payment assistance programs.

The key is making a move when it makes sense for you, rather than waiting for a perfect scenario that may never arrive.

Bottom Line

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market.

If you’re debating whether to buy now or wait, remember this: real estate rewards those who get in the market, not those who try to time it perfectly.

Want to take a look at what’s happening with prices in your local area? Whether you're ready to buy now or just exploring your options, having a plan in place can set you up for long-term success.

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Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedIn As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says: “. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.” That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your house is one that sells quickly. Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic The first thing you should know is that, in most markets, things have slowed down a little bit. While you may remember how quickly homes sold a few years ago, that’s not what you should expect today. Now that inventory has grown, according to Realtor.com, homes are taking a bit longer to sell in today’s market (see graph below): a graph of a bar chartBut before you get hung up on the ten-day difference compared to the past few years, Realtor.com will help put this into perspective: “In April, the typical home spent 50 days on the market . . . This marks the 13th straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis. Still, homes are moving more quickly than they did before the pandemic . . .” By this comparison, if your house does take a little more time to sell this year, it’s not really a concern. It’s actually still faster than the norm. Plus, it gives you a bit more time to find your next home, which is welcome relief when you’re trying to move, too. Just remember, some homes sell in less time than this. Some take even longer. So, what’s the real difference? Why do some homes attract eager buyers almost instantly, while others sit and struggle? It comes down to having the right agent and strategy. Here are a few tips you need to know. 1. Price It Right One of the biggest reasons homes sit on the market is overpricing. Many sellers want to shoot for a higher price, thinking they can lower it later – but that backfires by turning buyers away. What to do: Work with an agent to make sure your house is priced right. They’ll analyze recent comparable sales (what other homes have sold for recently in your area), so you know you’re pricing appropriately for today’s market and what buyers are willing to pay. As Chen Zhao, Economic Research Lead at Redfin, explains: “My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly for the shifting market; you may need to price lower than your initial instinct to sell quickly and avoid giving concessions.” 2. Focus on the First Impression A messy yard or a house that needs paint? It’ll turn buyers off. Since buyers decide within seconds whether they like a home, a good first impression is key. What to do: Outside, clean up your front yard, tidy up your landscaping, power wash walkways, and add fresh mulch. Inside, declutter and depersonalize. And consider minor touch-ups like repainting in a neutral tone. Your agent will offer advice on what to tackle. 3. Strong Marketing & High-Quality Listing Photos If your listing or your photos don’t look professional, you could have trouble drawing in buyers who think you’re trying to cut corners. What to do: Instead, lean on your agent’s skills, expertise, and resources. They’ll help you make sure you have: High-resolution listing photos showing the home in its best light. Detailed descriptions that highlight differentiating features of your house. Your listing on multiple platforms, including major real estate sites and social media. 4. The Location of the Home You may have heard the phrase “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate. And there’s definitely some truth to that. Homes in highly sought-after neighborhoods tend to sell faster. What to do: While you can’t change where your house is located, your agent can highlight the best features of your neighborhood or community in your listing. By showcasing what’s great about your area, they can help draw buyers into what life would look like in your house. Bottom Line Homes that sell quickly don’t necessarily have better features – they have better agents and a better strategy. Are you thinking about selling? Connect with an agent to talk about how to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.

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Noopur Gupta is a top-notch real estate agent who knows a lot about the local market, communicates well with her clients, and acts professionally. She is honest and reliable, good at negotiating, and quick to respond. Noopur loves her job and works hard to help clients, offering useful advice and making the whole process smooth and enjoyable. I would recommend Noopur to anyone looking to buy their dream ...

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Noopur Gupta played a pivotal role in helping us discover our first real estate property, and our excitement knows no bounds. Being first-time real estate investors, we initially found the process quite intimidating. However, Noopur stood by us through every phase. She was consistently available to address our questions, offer reassurance, and provide valuable suggestions. With an extensive network of co...

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I had the pleasure of working with Noopur as my realtor, and I cannot say enough good things about her. Noopur was incredibly on top of communication throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond to ensure that all parties involved were kept in the loop, and was transparent and honest in all communication. One of the things I appreciated most about working with Noopur was her willingness to he...

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We are out-of-state investors. Noopur Gupta knows Bay area and Marina like the back of her hand. She pinpointed neighborhoods with serious growth potential that fit my investment goals. In this game, local knowledge is power, and Noopur has plenty of it. It's rare to find a realtor with such a combination of local market knowledge, professionalism, dedication, and personalized service. I wholeheartedly r...

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Noopur did an outstanding job of assisting us with the buying of our house. Her expertise in the market's geographic area was good. She was very much involved in all aspects of closing. Her attitude towards everyone was friendly and responsive. Noopur carried out all the procedures painlessly and stress free for all of us. She was knowledgeable and was very hands on throughout the entire process. Thanks ...

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Noopur did an outstanding job assisting us with the purchase of our first home. Her passion and expertise in real estate shone through every step of the way. She patiently guided us through the entire process, offering invaluable advice during the bidding phase and maintaining exceptional communication throughout. Looking back, Noopur's empathy and commitment to us were particularly commendable. She took...

— subu redfin | Bought a Single Family home in 2024 in Lorelei manor, Menlo park, CA.

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Noopur Gupta played a pivotal role in helping us close our dream home and first real estate property, and our excitement knows no bounds. Being first-time real estate investors, we initially found the process quite intimidating. However, Noopur stood by us through every phase. She was consistently available to address our questions, offer reassurance, and provide valuable suggestions and always goes abov...

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My goal is to make the home buying/selling experience for my clients least stressful possible. I provide them resources, knowledge, insights, trusted consultants for finances, property management, vendors etc.