Is It Better to Buy a House Now or Wait Until 2026?

Short answer:
If you’re financially ready, waiting might not pay off. Home prices have plateaued in many markets, and while mortgage rates could ease slightly in 2026, competition may rise just as fast.

Body:
Timing the housing market is tricky — especially when interest rates, inflation, and buyer demand are all shifting.
Right now, many buyers are on the sidelines waiting for rates to fall, but when they do, we’re likely to see pent-up demand flood back in, driving prices higher again.

What’s happening now:

• Home inventory remains historically low.

• Rates have stabilized around the mid-6% range.

• Sellers who were hesitant are starting to re-list.

So, is it better to wait?
If you find a home that fits your long-term goals, buying now can actually mean less competition and more room to negotiate. You can always refinance later, but you can’t undo paying more for the same property when the market heats up again.

NYC perspective:
In New York City, we’re seeing pockets of opportunity — especially in neighborhoods like Murray Hill, Midtown East, and parts of the Upper West Side where sellers are pricing aggressively to move inventory before spring 2026.

Bottom line:
Buy for your life stage, not the headlines. If your finances and timeline align, the right time to buy might be right now.