The Myth of Perfect Timing
What nearly two decades in real estate has taught me about timing.
One of the most common conversations I have with buyers starts with the same sentence: “We’re thinking about waiting until…” Maybe it’s until interest rates come down, prices level off, more homes hit the market, the holidays are over, or the kids are out of school.
After nearly 20 years in real estate, I’ve learned something. There’s almost always a reason to wait. The market changes. Interest rates rise and fall. Inventory goes up and down. Seasons come and go. Life keeps moving. The truth is, there has never been a “perfect” market.
A few things have remained true over the years:
📊 Since 1971, the average 30-year mortgage rate has ranged from under 3% to over 18%.
📊 Despite short-term fluctuations, U.S. home values have historically appreciated over the long term.
📊 The average homeowner stays in their home for about 12 years.
Does that mean timing doesn’t matter? Of course not. But it does mean there’s more to the story than interest rates and headlines.
After helping hundreds of families over the years, I’ve learned that the best real estate decisions aren’t made because the market is perfect. They’re made because life is ready for the next chapter. A growing family. A new job. An empty nest. A shorter commute. More space. Less maintenance. A fresh start. Those are the moments that matter.
Some of the happiest homeowners I’ve worked with bought when interest rates felt “too high.” Others purchased when inventory was low. Some sold during uncertain markets. Looking back, very few of them talk about the rate they locked in or what the market looked like that month.
They talk about birthdays celebrated around the kitchen table, the backyard where the kids learned to ride their bikes, neighbors who became lifelong friends, and the first holiday hosted in a new home. That’s because the value of a home is measured by much more than the market.
If you’re waiting for the perfect time, you may be waiting forever.
But if you’re waiting for the right reason, you might already have it. ❤️🏡
