When Is the Perfect Time To Move?

Its easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move especially in todays market. Maybe youre holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop, or that home prices will fall. But heres what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And heres why.

There is no perfect market.

No matter when you buy, theres always some benefit and some sort of trade-off and thats not a bad thing. Thats just the reality of it. If youre not sure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing.

Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a historic low. To take advantage of that, a ton of buyers rushed to buy a home and lock in those lower rates. The side effect? With such a big increase in how many buyers were purchasing, the homes on the market were snapped up fast. And since that resulted in so few homes left for sale, bidding wars became the norm and home prices went through the roof. Those buyers got a great rate, but they had other things to contend with.

Now, with higher rates and higher prices, its more expensive to buy. You cant argue that. But at the same time, the number of homes for sale is at the highest point in several years. That means you have more options to choose from and youll be less likely to find yourself in a pull-out-all-the-stops bidding war. Again, there are benefits and trade-offs in any market.

So, if you have a reason to move and can afford to do so, youve got to take advantage of the trends that work in your favor and lean on a pro to help you navigate the rest. As Bankrate says:

The complexities of the current conditions mean that, now more than ever, its smart to lean on the guidance of an experienced local real estate agent. If you want to enter the housing market in 2025, whether as a buyer or a seller, let a pro lead the way for you.

While achieving your goals may feel like an uphill battle in todays complex market, it is doable. But youll need the help of a trusted real estate agent and a lender.

Your agent will help you explore creative solutions like looking into different housing types (like smaller condos), considering homes that need a little elbow grease, or casting a wider net for your search area. And your lender will walk you through different loan options and down payment assistance programs, so you know what you need to do to make the numbers work for you. As Yahoo Finance says:

Buying a house at a time when both mortgage rates and home prices are favorable is a challenge. You probably shouldnt try to time the housing market . . . Buy when it makes sense for you personally.

Bottom Line

Theres no perfect time to move every market has its pros and cons. The key is knowing how to make the most of the factors working in your favor. By partnering with a trusted real estate agent and lender, youll have the guidance and tools to make a move possible.

Venessa James - Broker Associate    

ABR, ALHS, CHMS, MCNE, LUXE, SFR, SRS  

Platinum Experience Group - KW Professionals 

(281) 889-8292 platinumexperiencegroup.com

Integrity, Experience, Results