Buy now or wait until fall? Tips for homebuyers in 2026

With mortgage rates currently sitting at a one-year high of 6.66% and average home prices reaching $440,600 (up 1.8%), it’s natural to wonder whether now is the right time to buy or if waiting until fall might make more sense. Housing supply stands at 4.6 months, which shapes both competition and choice in the market. From my perspective as someone who’s spent more than 25 years navigating both real estate and mortgage landscapes, buying now can offer the reassurance of home security as prices continue their steady climb. On the other hand, waiting could open the door to softer prices and potentially less competition. The right path depends on your goals and how you want to balance certainty against opportunity in a shifting market.