Is It a Good Time to Buy a House?

In the winter off-season, buyers have less competition — but it’s still technically a sellers’ market, and high prices remain a challenge.

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Updated · 6 min read
Profile photo of Abby Badach Doyle
Written by Abby Badach Doyle
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Johanna Arnone
Edited by Johanna Arnone
Assigning Editor
Nerdy takeaways
  • The median existing-home sales price hit $406,100 in November, following 17 months of year-over-year increases.

  • Houses for sale are staying on the market longer compared to a year ago.

  • If you’re ready for homeownership and stick to your budget, it’s possible to buy in any market.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the outcome of a legal settlement involving commissions paid to real estate agents representing home buyers. Starting in August 2024, home buyers in most markets must sign agreements with their agents before touring homes, and buyers will set their agents' commissions through negotiation. See how this will affect home sellers and home buyers.

If you're wondering if now is a good time to buy a house, ask this instead: Is it a good time in my life to buy a house?

Housing market trends give important context, so we’ll look at those numbers here. But ultimately, whether this is a good time to buy a house depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner.

Let’s explore both aspects of the homebuying journey: the housing market and your own readiness to buy a home.

AD
HomeLight
Looking to Buy or Sell a Home?
NerdWallet has partnered with HomeLight to help you find the best performing real estate agents
find yours

with HomeLight

How’s the housing market right now?

These are some factors affecting buyers in today's market.

Mortgage rates: Stubbornly high

The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.73% annual percentage rate (APR) for the week ending Dec. 19, up 22 basis points from last week and up 21 basis points from a year ago, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. A basis point is one one-hundredth of 1%.

Average weekly mortgage rates

Mortgage type

APR

30-year fixed mortgage

6.73%

15-year fixed mortgage

5.98%

5-year adjustable

7.41%

Averages are for the week ending Dec. 19, 2024, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow.

Whether today’s rates feel high or low depends on how long you’ve been house hunting. In the short term view, recent rates might sting: The 30-year mortgage rate dropped to a monthly average of 6.07% in September and has remained higher in the weeks since. But if you’ve been house hunting for a year or so, that very same rate could feel like a relief: Buyers are still better off today than when the 30-year mortgage rate peaked at 8% in October 2023, or even when rates surpassed 7% in May 2024.

Did you know...

Higher rates shrink buying power because they make home loans more expensive. For example: Let’s say you make a 20% down payment on a $350,000 house. With a 6.8% mortgage rate, your monthly payment would be $1,825 (not including home insurance and property taxes). With a 5% mortgage rate, the monthly payment would be $1,503 — $322 lower.

You can't influence average rates, so focus on the things you can control:

  • Shop around for the best deal. Especially given today's higher rates, buyers can save $600 to $1,200 per year by applying for loans from multiple mortgage lenders, according to a February 2023 study by Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored entity that buys conforming loans from mortgage lenders.

  • Make sure you can afford the monthly mortgage payment. A home affordability calculator can help you crunch the numbers.

  • Lock in your rate. After getting approved for a home loan, consider locking in the mortgage rate until the loan closes to protect against further rate increases.

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United

Inflation and the economy: The Fed lowers the federal funds rate again

The Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank, guides the economy with two goals: encouraging job growth and keeping inflation under control. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. However, it does set the federal funds rate, which influences interest rates for loans including mortgages.

On Dec. 18, the Fed announced a 25-basis-point cut to the federal funds rate — an optimistic move, despite rising inflation over the past two months. This follows two rounds of cuts at its previous meetings on Sept. 18 and Nov. 7. We’ll find out the Fed’s next move after its next meeting, Jan. 28-29, 2024.

Supply of homes for sale: More options than last year

We’re not in a buyer’s market quite yet. But after a few years of slim pickings, inventory has been gradually improving, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

November had a 3.8-month supply of unsold homes for sale, meaning it would take a little less than four months at the current pace for all listed properties to sell. While month to month inventory growth has been slow and unsteady, buyers still have more options compared to last year: In November 2023, the market had a 3.5-month supply of homes for sale.

Did you know...

In a balanced market, the supply of homes for sale would last six months. Supply less than that is considered a seller’s market. More than a six-month supply is considered a buyer’s market.

"Home sales momentum is building," NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a news release. "More buyers have entered the market as the economy continues to add jobs, housing inventory grows compared to a year ago, and consumers get used to a new normal of mortgage rates between 6% and 7%."

Video preview image

Home sales and prices: On the rise

To get a snapshot of the current market, let’s look at two important data points: How many homes are changing hands, and what they’re selling for.

Sales of existing homes — properties that were owned and occupied before going on the market — improved 4.8% from October to November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.15 million. Sales jumped 6.1% compared to November 2023 — the largest year-over-year increase since June 2021.

When existing home sales go up, that’s the sign of a healthy market: Buyers can buy, and sellers can sell.

"Existing homeowners are capitalizing on the collective $15 trillion rise in housing equity over the past four years to look for homes better suited to their changing life circumstances," Yun said in a news release.

Meanwhile, home prices continue their steady climb. The national median price for existing homes sold in November was $406,100, up 4.7% from November 2023, according to the NAR, following 17 straight months of year-over-year price increases. All four U.S. regions — Midwest, Northeast, South and West — saw year-over-year price increases in November. Here's a regional look at median prices and year-over-year price changes:

  • Midwest: $302,000, up 7.3%.

  • Northeast: $475,500, up 9.9%.

  • South: $361,300, up 2.8%.

  • West: $628,200, up 4.0%.

🤓Nerdy Tip

When prices are high, your goal is to make a competitive offer without overpaying. A good real estate agent can help you understand home values in your area. Read more advice on how to compete in a hot housing market.

Competition: Steady, but less intense than last year

Some good news: Compared to last year, competition has cooled off. The November 2024 Realtors Confidence Index, a survey of the NAR’s members, highlights these key market indicators year over year:

  • Bidding wars aren’t the norm. A home listed for sale received an average 2.1 offers in November, down slightly from 2.5 last month and 2.6 last year. For context: In the era of hot bidding wars in 2021 and 2022, the average was around five offers per home.

  • Few homes are selling above list price. In November, 18% of homes sold above listing price, down from 19% last year.

  • Homes are staying on the market longer. Houses stayed on the market for a median 32 days in November — seven days longer than November 2023, when the median was 25 days. Last month, 53% of respondents reported that homes sold in less than a month. A year ago, that figure was 62%.

Overall, though, demand still outpaces supply. This is hardly a mellow market: Good homes sell quickly, and buyers should still expect competition out there. If you’re ready to buy, get a mortgage preapproval so you’re prepared to make a strong offer. Once mortgage rates drop, competition will only go up. There’s no time like the present to start shopping.

Homebuying readiness: Should I buy a house now or wait?

Ask yourself these questions to explore whether you're ready to buy a home.

Are you prepared to put down roots?

Think about your life goals, relationships and interests. How long can you see yourself living in this location?

Ideally, you'd want to remain in the home long enough for rising property values and your equity to exceed the costs of buying and selling, including real estate commissions and mortgage closing costs. That will typically take several years.

You could also be subject to capital gains taxes if the home appreciates in value and you sell it after less than two years.

How's your job security?

A mortgage is a big commitment and can become a stressful burden after a job loss, so it's not a good time to buy a home if you think you'll get laid off.

Wait until your employment is stable before thinking about buying a house.

Are you financially prepared?

Here are the three main ingredients to evaluate.

Savings

You'll need money for a down payment and mortgage closing costs as well as for moving and other expenses after you buy the home. The down payment requirements vary by the type of mortgage and the lender. The more you put down, the lower your monthly mortgage payment.

The typical down payment for first-time buyers is 9% and for repeat buyers is 18%, according to an NAR survey of home buyers who purchased a primary residence from July 2023 through June 2024.

Credit

Lenders generally offer the best mortgage rates and terms to borrowers with credit scores of 740 and above, although you can qualify for a mortgage with a score in the 600s. The options are much slimmer, and loan costs can be higher for borrowers with a score in the 500s.

If your credit is marginal, it might make sense to postpone buying a house and use the time to work on building your credit.

The average FICO credit score for closed mortgage loans to purchase homes in the past 30 days was 737, according to mortgage data provider ICE Mortgage Technology.

Debt

Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to help determine whether you qualify for a mortgage. Your DTI is the percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward monthly debt payments, including housing costs, as well as car, student loan, credit card and other debt obligations. Lenders like to see a DTI under 36%, although it's possible to qualify with a higher ratio. The lower your DTI, the better your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and getting offered the lowest available rate.

The average DTI for purchase mortgages in the past 30 days was 40%, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
GO Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on GO Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United

Looking to buy a home? NerdWallet partners with highly-rated mortgage lenders to find you the best possible rates
Answer a few questions to match with your personalized offer
Won’t affect your credit score
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.