By Reem Misto
President & Mortgage Broker | National Pacific Lending

The Big Question Everyone Is Asking

One of the questions I hear almost every day is:

“Should I buy a home now, or should I wait?”

The honest answer is…

Nobody has a crystal ball.

But understanding what’s happening in the market can help you make a smarter decision.

Let me explain this week’s news in the simplest way possible.

 Imagine You’re Blowing Up a Balloon

Think of inflation like blowing air into a balloon.

The more air you add…

The bigger the balloon gets.

Inflation works the same way.

The more prices go up, the more expensive everything becomes.

The Federal Reserve is trying to keep that balloon from getting too big.

Their goal is to keep inflation around 2%.

Right now, it’s still higher than they would like, so they’re being careful before making any big decisions about interest rates.

What does that mean for you?

Mortgage rates may continue to move up and down until inflation gets closer to the Fed’s goal.

 Fewer People Bought New Homes

In July, fewer people signed contracts to buy newly built homes compared to June.

Does that mean people don’t want homes anymore?

Not at all.

Many buyers are simply taking more time because of today’s mortgage rates and affordability.

The important thing is this:

People are still buying homes.

They’re just being more careful.

 Are Home Prices Falling?

This is where many headlines can be confusing.

Some articles said home prices dropped.

But that’s not the whole story.

Imagine a classroom.

Last month, most students bought expensive backpacks.

This month, more students bought less expensive backpacks.

If you looked only at the average price, you’d think backpacks suddenly became cheaper.

But they didn’t.

People simply bought different backpacks.

The same thing happened with homes.

More buyers purchased homes in lower price ranges, which lowered the average selling price.

That doesn’t necessarily mean home values are going down.

In fact, national home prices continued to increase overall.

 Why Homeownership Still Matters

Let’s say you buy a home for $500,000.

If that home increases in value by just 3% over one year…

It could be worth about $515,000.

That’s approximately $15,000 in added value.

You didn’t have to renovate it.

You simply owned it.

That’s one of the reasons many families choose homeownership—not just for a place to live, but also because a home can grow in value over time.

Keep in mind that home values can rise or fall, and appreciation is never guaranteed. Looking at the long term often provides a better perspective.

 How Is the Economy Doing?

The economy is still growing, but not as fast as earlier this year.

People are still shopping.

Businesses are still investing.

Many companies continue hiring.

At the same time, some people who lose jobs are taking longer to find new ones.

Overall, the economy is slowing—but it hasn’t stopped.

So…What Should You Do?

This is the question everyone wants answered.

Should you wait?

Or should you buy now?

The answer depends on you, not just the market.

Ask yourself:

 Have you found the right home?

 Can the monthly payment fit comfortably into your budget?

 Are you planning to stay in the home for several years?

If the answer is yes, buying now may still make sense—even if mortgage rates change later.

Remember, you can refinance a mortgage if rates improve in the future, but you can’t go back and buy yesterday’s home at yesterday’s price.

Every situation is unique, and that’s why I encourage my clients to make decisions based on their own goals rather than trying to predict the market.

A Note From Reem

After helping California families with home financing since 1986, I’ve learned one thing:

The people who are happiest with their decision aren’t the ones who perfectly timed the market.

They’re the ones who had a plan.

That’s why I spend more time helping my clients understand their options than trying to predict tomorrow’s headlines.

My goal is simple:

To help you make confident decisions based on your goals—not fear or speculation.

Let’s Talk About Your Options

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving to a larger home, refinancing, or simply wondering what today’s market means for you, I’m here to help.

There is no pressure and no obligation just honest advice tailored to your situation.

 Schedule your complimentary mortgage consultation today, and together we’ll create a plan that fits your goals.

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