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 the strongest buyer’s market on record – there are 63% more home sellers than buyers – giving home buyers significant leverage. Mortgage rates are elevated and volatile due to the conflict in the Middle East and its effects on oil prices, bond markets, and inflation. Consumers are wary due to near-record-high housing costs, a difficult job market, and widespread economic uncertainty. Fall is here, meaning the busiest time of year for the housing market is coming to a close. But in most parts of the country, it never got started. After a very slow 2025, the same sluggish trends have continued in 2026: few home sales, limited listings, and sky-high monthly costs. Adding to the difficulty, mortgage rates have remained above 7% for nearly two months due to prolonged conflicts in the Middle East and their effect on oil prices, inflation, and the bond market. Global economic volatility, deepening AI fears, and tariff uncertainty are also weighing on investors and consumers, pushing rates higher and keeping consumers on the sidelines. A lot is changing, so it’s no surprise that buyers are wondering if now is...