Timing the Market? Here’s What Waiting Could Really Cost You

If you’ve been watching the housing market and wondering “Should I wait until rates drop?” — you’re not alone.

Timing the market feels especially tricky right now. Headlines shift daily, interest rates bounce around, and buyers are left trying to guess the “perfect” moment to jump in.

But here’s the truth: waiting isn’t always the safer option.

That’s exactly why Envoy Mortgage built a Cost of Waiting Calculator — to show buyers what delaying a purchase could actually cost in real dollars.

The Hidden Cost of Waiting

On a typical $450,000 home, waiting even a short time could mean missing out on $33,000+ in potential equity.

Even if mortgage rates dip later, modest home price growth can still make the same house more expensive — and you lose valuable time building wealth through homeownership.

In other words:

Waiting often means paying more for the same home.

What the Market Actually Looks Like Right Now

The current market isn’t as chaotic as it may feel — in fact, buyers have more opportunity than they’ve had in a while.

Here’s what we’re seeing today:

• 30-year fixed mortgage rates are near 6%
  (down from about 6.9% this time last year)
  
  
• Inventory is up roughly 9% year over year
  meaning buyers have more options and more negotiating power
  
  
• Home prices are only up about 0.9% year over year
  so prices aren’t skyrocketing like they were in past cycles
  
  

This combination creates a window where buyers can move with more leverage.

Why Buying Sooner Can Be the Smarter Play

Buying now doesn’t mean you’re stuck with today’s rate forever.

It means you can:

• Take advantage of today’s inventory and negotiating power
  
  
• Start building equity immediately
  
  
• Lock in a home before prices rise further
  
  
• Refinance later if rates improve
  
  

The strategy many buyers are using right now is simple:

Buy when you can, refinance when it makes sense.

Try the Cost of Waiting Calculator

Envoy’s calculator takes about 30 seconds and can give you a personalized look at what waiting might cost based on your price point.

👉 Run your numbers here:
https://www.envoymortgage.com/mortgage-calculators/cost-of-waiting-calculator/