The Cost of Waiting

For many people, buying a home is a major financial goal. However, the decision to buy a home is not always an easy one. One of the biggest factors that can influence this decision is timing. Should you buy now or wait? In this blog post, we will explore the cost of waiting to buy a home.

The longer you wait to buy a home, the more expensive it will become. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, home prices tend to rise over time. According to Zillow, the median home value in the United States has increased by 6.8% over the past year alone. This means that if you wait a year to buy a home that costs $300,000 today, it could cost you over $20,000 more a year from now.

Secondly, interest rates can also continue to fluctuate over time. The Federal Reserve has been slowly raising interest rates over the past few years, and while we expect them to stabilize or decrease this year, it could still mean saving hundreds of dollars over time.

Finally, the cost of renting is also increasing. According to a report by Zillow, the median rent in the United States has increased by 2.3% over the past year. This means that if you wait to buy a home, you will likely be paying more in rent than you would if you had purchased a home.

Another factor to consider when deciding whether to buy a home now or wait is opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is the cost of forgoing one opportunity to pursue another. In this case, the opportunity cost of waiting to buy a home is the lost opportunity to build equity.

When you buy a home, you are building equity with every mortgage payment you make. This equity can be used to finance other goals, such as starting a business, paying for your children’s education, or retiring comfortably. The longer you wait to buy a home, the longer it will take you to build equity.

Finally, it is important to consider the emotional cost of waiting to buy a home. Buying a home is not just a financial decision, but an emotional one as well. The longer you wait to buy a home, the longer you will have to wait to enjoy the benefits of homeownership, such as having a place to call your own, decorating it the way you want, and creating memories with your loved ones.

The cost of waiting to buy a home can be significant. Home prices, interest rates, and rental costs are always going to fluctuate, and the longer you wait, the more expensive it will become. Additionally, the opportunity cost of waiting is the lost opportunity to build equity, and there is also an emotional cost to consider. If you are considering buying a home, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and make an informed decision.

If you have questions about whether now is the right time to buy a home, consider talking it over with one of our Lendscout Loan Officers. They can take a look at your finances, credit, and current market conditions and make suggestions for you.