Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?

Key takeaways: If you have the means, now may be a good time to buy a house. It’s a buyer’s market—there are 51% more home sellers than buyers—giving homebuyers leverage. Mortgage rates are elevated and volatile due to the conflict with Iran and its effects on oil prices and inflation. Consumers are wary due to near-record-high housing costs, a difficult job market, and economic uncertainty. Summer is well underway, but the housing market is still thawing from its yearslong freeze. After a very slow 2025, the same sluggish trends are persisting well into 2026: few home sales, limited listings, and near-record monthly costs. Adding to the difficulty, mortgage rates remain elevated and volatile due to prolonged conflicts in the Middle East and their effect on oil prices. Even if a long-term peace deal were to be struck, economists don’t expect major improvements until economic pressures ease. Global economic volatility, AI fears, tariff uncertainty, and a difficult job market are all weighing on investors and consumers, keeping rates elevated. A lot is changing, so it’s no surprise that buyers are wondering if now is the right time to take the leap. In short, whether or not it’s a go...