Should You Buy a House Now or Wait? | 2025 Real Estate Market Breakdown
- Sarah Breck
- Oct 18
- 4 min read
Should you buy a house now — or wait? It’s the real estate version of “should I text first or play it cool?”
If you’ve been watching the housing market, you know it’s been full of drama: prices soaring, rates fluctuating, and a lot of would-be buyers waiting on the sidelines.
So what’s the smart move in 2025? Let’s unpack the latest insights from Bankrate’s article by David McMillin, “Should I Buy a House Now, or Wait?”
The Current State of the Housing Market (Fall 2025)
The data tells a nuanced story:
Median U.S. Home Price: $422,400 (July 2025) — the highest July ever recorded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Price Growth: 25 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
Mortgage Rates: Down from 8% highs in 2023 to 6.62% (30-year fixed) as of mid-August 2025 — the lowest in nearly a year.
Days on Market: 28 days (up from 24 last year).
Inventory: Up 15.7% from 2024 — the most homes for sale in five years.
Consumer Sentiment: 77% of Americans believe it’s a bad time to buy a house (Fannie Mae, July 2025).
Translation: the market is slowly shifting back toward buyers — but affordability remains tight.
Why Buying Now Could Be a Smart Move
Despite the headlines, there are still clear advantages to buying in 2025:
1. Build Equity Immediately
Each mortgage payment builds ownership — unlike rent, which builds your landlord’s portfolio.
2. Lock in Your Housing Costs
With inflation and rent hikes, fixed mortgage payments bring stability.
3. “Marry the House, Date the Rate”
Find the right home, then refinance later if rates drop. As broker Stacey Froelich says, “You can’t time the market — a home should be a long-term investment.”
The Three Questions to Ask Before Buying
To know if buying now makes sense for you, ask these:
✅ 1. Do You Have Excellent Credit?
The best mortgage terms go to buyers with credit scores between 750–800. Raising your score first can save thousands over the life of your loan.
✅ 2. Do You Have a Strong Down Payment and Cash Reserves?
The more you put down, the less you pay in interest. Lenders also like to see you have extra funds in savings for emergencies.
✅ 3. Are You Planning to Stay Long-Term?
Buying only makes sense if you’ll stay at least 3–5 years — otherwise, closing costs and potential tax implications can outweigh the benefits.
When It Might Be Better to Wait
Holding off can be wise if:
Your Local Market Is Cooling: Real estate is hyper-local. For instance, Raleigh’s prices rose 5.9% last year while nearby Chapel Hill dropped 18.2%.
Inventory Is Increasing Rapidly: More homes mean more negotiating power for buyers.
Your Finances Need Time: Improving your credit or saving a larger down payment can dramatically improve affordability.
The Real Cost of Mortgage Rate Changes
Bankrate’s mortgage calculator breaks down how even small rate changes affect affordability:
$350,000 home | 20% down | 6.5% rate → $1,770/month
Same loan | 7.0% rate → $1,863/month
That’s $93 more per month, $1,116 per year, and $33,000 more over the life of a 30-year loan.
Waiting for lower rates could save money — but rates could also rise again. Timing the market is tricky, which is why personal readiness matters most.
What If a Recession Hits?
Economic uncertainty adds another layer. If a recession occurs:
Job loss can make loan approval harder.
Lower demand may stall local sales activity.
However, financially secure buyers often benefit from less competition and more negotiation power during recessions.
FAQs: Common Homebuyer Questions in 2025
Will the Market Crash?
Experts predict a soft landing, not a crash. Some areas may see slight price declines, but nothing catastrophic.
Can I Buy and Sell at the Same Time?
Yes, but it requires coordination. Work closely with your real estate agent and loan officer to align timelines and finances.
Is It a Bad Time to Buy a House?
Not necessarily. It’s less about perfect timing and more about your personal readiness — strong credit, savings, and long-term plans.
Key Takeaways
If your credit, savings, and job stability are solid — buying now can help you start building equity and protect you from future rent hikes.
If your finances need time or your local market is shifting, waiting strategically could pay off.
Either way, decisions should be based on your numbers, not just national headlines.
Boise Market Perspective
Here in the Boise metro area, inventory has been climbing and sellers are becoming more flexible — especially on price reductions and rate-buydown credits.
If you’re relocating, buying your first home, or looking for opportunities with builder incentives, there are smart ways to enter the market now without overpaying.
Ready to Make Your Move?
If you’re in Boise or the Treasure Valley and wondering whether to buy now or wait, let’s analyze your personal situation together.
Together, we’ll look at your numbers, your neighborhood, and your goals — so you can make a confident, informed decision.
✨ About the Author
Sarah Breck | Real Estate Agent, Real Broker – Boise, IdahoI help buyers and sellers make confident real estate decisions through empowering education, elevated strategy, and approachable humor. Whether you’re buying your first home or your next investment, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
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