$\"Are$ \n

It\u2019s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: \u201cWhat if I buy, and home prices go down?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

With everything in the news, that concern makes some sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong <\/em>time. But here\u2019s what\u2019s important to know. You don\u2019t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now.<\/p>\n

When you zoom out and look at the full picture, home prices usually rise over time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What the Data Really Shows<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Take a look at the visual below. It uses data<\/a> from Case-Shiller <\/em>and Bilello <\/em>to show how home prices<\/a> have changed year by year going all the way back to the 1950s.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the key takeaway.<\/p>\n
Outside of the housing crash, home prices have either held steady or increased in just about every year for decades<\/strong> (see visual below<\/em>):<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"a$ <\/a>That\u2019s a remarkably consistent track record. And it shows something a lot of headlines miss.<\/p>\n
While short-term shifts can happen, it\u2019s the long-term gains that really matter.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Why Prices Tend To Rise Over Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n
There are a few core reasons prices usually go up each year:<\/p>\n
\n
There are always people who need to move.<\/strong> People need a place to live, and that demand will never fully go away. It may ebb and flow, but someone will always have to move as big changes happen in their life. So, homes stay <\/em>in demand.<\/li>\n
There still aren\u2019t enough homes for sale.<\/strong> While the number of homes for sale has grown, nationally there\u2019s still an undersupply based on how many people want a home. That keeps upward pressure on prices.<\/li>\n
Inflation has an impact.<\/strong> Over time, the cost of goods (including homes) naturally increases. That pushes home values higher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat That Means for You as a Buyer<\/strong><\/h4>\nIt\u2019s easy to get caught up in what might happen with home prices next month or next year, especially if you\u2019re a first-time buyer<\/a> and you\u2019re feeling a little anxious about making such a big financial commitment. But the big picture is clear. Prices usually rise.<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean prices will go up every <\/em>single year in every market. Real estate is local, and there can be short-term ups and downs. We\u2019re seeing that in some places<\/a> right now. You can even see it in the few annual dips in the visual above.<\/p>\n
But historically, the declines have been temporary.<\/strong><\/p>\n
That\u2019s why it\u2019s generally recommended to buy a home only if you plan to stay for a while \u2013 typically at least five years<\/strong>. That\u2019s normally enough time to see your house grow in value. And, it\u2019s enough so you can ride out any short-term changes in the market.<\/p>\n
Because when you can do that, something powerful happens. Those rising home values grow your net worth<\/a>, and by extension, help you build wealth.<\/p>\n
The right decision isn\u2019t about timing the market perfectly. It\u2019s about making a move that works for your life and staying in it long enough to benefit from the bigger trend.<\/p>\n
Bottom Line<\/h3>\n
Home prices have a long track record of going up over time. And that\u2019s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment.<\/strong><\/p>\n
That certainly doesn\u2019t mean you have to buy now. You should only move when it makes sense, and you plan to live there for a while.<\/p>\n
But if you\u2019re interested, let this reassure you. If you want to talk about what home prices are doing in our market, your goals, or your timelines, reach out to a local agent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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