Waiting for the “Perfect” Market? Here’s What I’d Consider Instead

There’s always a reason to wait.

Rates might change. Prices might move. An election happens. The economy makes headlines. Someone on TikTok says the housing market is about to crash.

But after years in real estate, one thing I’ve learned is that the “perfect” market rarely announces itself while you’re standing in it.

That doesn’t mean everyone should buy right now. It doesn’t mean everyone should sell right now, either.

It means the better question probably isn’t “What is the market going to do?”

It’s “What makes sense for me?”

Real estate is typically a long-term investment, and for most people, a decision you’ll live with for years — not months. So instead of trying to perfectly time the market, here are five questions I think are worth asking.

1. Can I comfortably afford the move?

Not technically afford it. Comfortably afford it.

What does the mortgage payment look like? What about property taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance and everything else that comes with owning the property?

If the numbers work within your actual lifestyle — while still leaving room to live, save and handle the unexpected — that’s much more important to me than trying to guess whether prices will be slightly higher or lower six months from now.

2. Does my current home still work for me?

Sometimes we get so focused on the financial side of real estate that we forget our homes are also where we live our lives.

Maybe you’ve outgrown your space. Maybe you’re tired of maintaining a property that’s bigger than you need. Maybe you want more land, less land, a different neighbourhood, waterfront, a shorter commute or simply a fresh start.

If your current home isn’t serving the life you want anymore, that’s worth factoring into the equation.

3. Am I thinking long-term?

Unless you’re buying specifically to renovate and flip a property, I generally encourage people to look at real estate through a 10-year lens rather than a 2–3 year lens.

Markets move. Interest rates change. Prices rise, plateau and occasionally pull back.

Trying to predict every short-term movement is nearly impossible.

The better question is whether the property, payment and location make sense for where you see yourself going over the next several years.

4. What would waiting actually accomplish?

This is a big one.

If you’re waiting because you need six months to save more money, pay down debt, improve your credit or get financially comfortable — that’s a plan.

If you’re waiting because you’re hoping someone will eventually tell you that we’ve reached the exact bottom of the market… that’s a little harder.

Usually, we don’t know we’ve hit the bottom until we’re already coming out of it.

Waiting can absolutely be the right decision. I just want there to be a reason behind it.

5. What opportunities exist in today’s market?

Every market has advantages and disadvantages.

A slower market can mean more negotiating power for buyers, more time to make decisions, conditions in offers and less pressure from competing buyers.

A hotter market may give sellers stronger pricing, quicker sales and more leverage — while making the buying side more competitive.

There isn’t necessarily a good market or bad market. There are different markets, and the strategy has to change with them.

The opportunity is figuring out how the current one can work in your favour.

So… Should You Buy, Sell or Wait?

Maybe you should buy.

Maybe you should sell.

And maybe waiting six months or a year is exactly the right decision.

I’m not interested in convincing someone to make a move simply because I’m in the business of selling real estate.

I’d rather look at the numbers, talk about what you’re trying to accomplish, consider the risks and opportunities, and figure out whether making a move actually makes sense for you.

Because the news will keep changing. Interest rates will keep changing. The market will keep changing.

Your decision should still come back to your life, your finances and your goals.

Not sure whether now makes sense? Let’s run the numbers — not the headlines.

Reach out anytime. I’m always happy to have the conversation, even if the answer ends up being “not yet.”