If you’ve always assumed a newly built home is just not in your budget, you should know the math just got a little friendlier.
The median sale price of a newly built home is now at its lowest level since 2021, according to the latest data from the Census. And on top of that, builders are still rolling out incentives to bring buyers through the door.
It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “What if I buy, and home prices go down?”
With everything in the news, that concern makes some sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time. But here’s what’s important to know. You don’t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now.
You've probably seen the headlines saying, "foreclosures are on the rise,” and maybe your mind jumped straight to 2008. That’s understandable. A lot of people remember that crash and all the foreclosures that happened during that window, and they’re hoping something like that never happens again.
But this isn’t a repeat of what happened back then. Here’s the context to prove it.
According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below):
Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.
While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly shifting to favor buyers, and the market is starting to look a lot more like a two-way street again.
One of the biggest reasons buyers are still sitting on the sidelines is because they think home prices are going to come down.
Some believe a crash is coming and they'll get a better deal if they hold off.
Others worry they'll buy now and watch their home's value fall later.
And nobody wants to overpay or buy right before values drop. But here's the question worth asking:
A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying "no" to just about everything.
No repairs.
No concessions.
No negotiation.
If buyers wanted the house, they pretty much had to take it on the seller's terms. But now that inventory’s grown, negotiations are becoming a normal part of the process again.
That's why one of the most important things sellers need to understand right now is this:
A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down."
While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime.
If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news.
Asking prices have started to come down.
Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past year, making the numbers work can still feel like a stretch.
Data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here's what's actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you're thinking about buying or selling.
If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.
Mortgage rates have risen. Home sales haven't picked up like expected. And many buyers and sellers are wondering when things are going to feel easier or be more affordable.
The truth is: a lot changed over the first half of this year.
You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.
That’s the reality for a lot of buyers right now. Affordability is tight.
You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.
And honestly? A lot of people feel that way right now. But here’s what some are starting to realize.
Waiting doesn’t usually fix the thing that made you want to move in the first place.
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