Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately –
Dated: February 10 2025
Views: 65

Over the past few years, home prices skyrocketed. That’s been frustrating for buyers, leaving many wondering if they’d ever get a shot at owning a home. But here’s some welcome news: that whirlwind pace of home price growth is slowing down.
At the national level, home prices are still going up, but at a much more moderate, normal pace. For example, in November, the year-over-year increase in home prices was just 3.8% nationally, according to Case-Shiller. That’s a far cry from the double-digit spikes that occurred in 2021 and 2022 (see graph below):
This more normal home price growth might make buying a home feel more attainable for many buyers. You won’t face the same sticker shock or rapid price jumps that made it hard to plan your purchase just a few years ago.
At the same time, steady growth means the home you buy today will likely appreciate in value over time.
While the national story is one of moderate price growth, it’s important to remember that all real estate is local. Some markets are seeing stronger growth, while others are cooling off or even seeing slight declines. As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, notes:
“Regionally, variations persist, as some affordable areas – including smaller metros in the Midwest — remain in high demand and continue to see upward home price pressures.”
Meanwhile, other regions saw slight month-over-month declines in November, according to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) data (see graph below):
What does this mean for you? It’s crucial to understand what’s happening in your local market. A national average can’t tell the whole story. That’s where working with a local real estate agent can really help. They have the tools and expertise to give you the full picture of what’s happening in your area and how to plan for that in your move.
Home prices are growing at a more manageable pace, and working with a local real estate agent can help you navigate the ups and downs of your specific market.
How have changing home prices impacted your plans to buy? Let’s talk about it.
As the Team Director of Torres Team Realty, I have spent many hours educating myself and our team on multiple avenues of Real Estate. All agents are members of the California Association of Realtors a....
Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately –
Ask a couple people how the housing market is doing and you’ll probably get a couple different answers. That’s because right now, the market runs on 2 very different tracks, split by
You’ve been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected…While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest
Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you’ve caught the buzz and wondered whether that money