Is It a Good Time to Buy a House?

Inventory is growing — but with high rates and prices, spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start.

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Updated · 5 min read
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Written by Abby Badach Doyle
Lead Writer & Content Strategist
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Senior Editor & Content Strategist

Housing market trends matter, but they’re only part of the picture when you’re wondering whether it’s a good time to buy a house. The more important question: Are you personally ready — financially and emotionally?

Let’s dig into both levels: The market and your mindset.

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How’s the housing market right now?

Mortgage rates and home prices have been steep for a couple years. Many buyers have been waiting on the sidelines for conditions to improve. Meanwhile, homeowners have been reluctant to list their houses for sale and give up the ultra-low mortgage rates they locked in from late 2019 to early 2022.

The economy might be uncertain, but there’s reason to be hopeful. Spring and summer are the traditional busy seasons for home buying and selling. It’s still tough out there, but we’re finally seeing more inventory (houses for sale) hitting the market. When inventory increases, buyers have more choice — and less of a battle. If your finances are solid and you feel good about moving, it’s a fine time to buy.

If you’re house hunting, keep an eye on the following numbers and trends:

Are mortgage rates going down?

Despite a year-over-year drop, mortgage rates are still frustratingly high for buyers. The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.87% annual percentage rate (APR) for the week ending May 1, down 13 basis points from last week and down 45 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

6.87%

15-year fixed mortgage

6%

5-year adjustable

7.22%

Averages are for the week ending May 1, 2025, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Each mortgage lender sets their own rates and fees. Compare offers from at least three mortgage lenders to get the best deal. Rate shopping can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

To learn more about mortgage rates, check out these resources from NerdWallet:

How do mortgage rates affect housing costs?

When mortgage rates are high, your home buying budget doesn’t stretch as far. Let’s say you’re prepared to make a 20% down payment on a $350,000 house. Here’s what your monthly payments would look like at different interest rates:

Interest rate

Monthly principal + interest*

5.5%

$1,590

5.75%

$1,634

6%

$1,679

6.25%

$1,724

6.5%

$1,770

6.75%

$1,816

7%

$1,863

7.25%

$1,910

7.5%

$1,958

*For a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Does not include homeowners insurance or property taxes.

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Inflation and the economy

With tariffs making headlines and recession fears rising, it’s normal to worry about inflation and the economy when making a long-term financial commitment.

If your finances feel shaky — for example, you’re worried about job security or paying bills — it’s wise to hold off on buying a home for a bit. But don’t let headlines scare you if your personal budget says the numbers work.

👀 What to watch: The federal funds rate. The Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank, indirectly influences interest rates for all loans (including mortgages). With an unsteady economy, the committee has signaled it won’t cut the federal funds rate anytime soon. We’ll find out the Fed’s next move after its next meeting, May 6-7, 2025.

Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market?

Right now: Seller’s market (moderate)

What we’re seeing: Sellers still have the upper hand, but with the inventory of homes on the market growing 8.1% from February to March, the dynamics are shifting toward favoring buyers.

What’s the difference between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market?

Whether we’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market all comes down to supply and demand. Available inventory affects who has the upper hand in negotiations.

  • Buyer’s market = high inventory. Buyers have lots of choices and can take their time. Price cuts are common. Buyers might ask sellers to cover some costs or fees.

  • Seller’s market = low inventory: Buyers have fewer choices. Prices and competition heat up. Expect multiple offers above asking price.

  • Balanced market = enough homes to go around: Supply and demand are roughly even. This generally happens when the real estate market has about six months’ worth of available inventory.

Did you know...

When a house is listed for sale, it becomes “inventory.” Pending sales count as inventory, too. Inventory is measured as a number of months’ supply at the current sales pace. For example, a six-month supply means it would take six months to sell all the homes that are up for sale, if no one puts additional homes on the market.

Let’s take a look at some March 2025 data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to see how many homes are changing hands and what they’re selling for.

Inventory: Slowly improving

Good news: Inventory is up nearly 20% compared to a year ago, reports the NAR.

Currently, inventory sits at a four-month supply of homes for sale, up from 3.5 months in February and 3.2 months in March 2024.

We’re still not in a buyer’s market, but an increase in inventory is a positive sign that the market is balancing out more. More homes for sale will provide buyers with more choices — and hopefully, a little more leverage to negotiate compared to previous years. Time will tell as the traditional homebuying season ramps up.

Home prices: High and still climbing

Meanwhile, home prices continue their upward trend. Year-over-year prices have gone up each month for 21 months and counting. The national median price for existing homes sold in March was $403,700, up 2.7% from March 2024, according to the NAR.

Depending on where you live, the national median home price might be higher or lower than prices in your area. All four U.S. regions — Midwest, Northeast, South and West — saw year-over-year price increases in March. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Midwest: $302,100, up 3.5%.

  • Northeast: $468,000, up 7.7%.

  • South: $360,400, up 0.6%.

  • West: $621,200, up 2.6%.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Buying a house is expensive up front, but it can help you build long-term wealth. Try our rent vs. buy calculator to compare costs over time and see your break-even point.

Home sales: A slight slump

Economic uncertainty and high price tags might be to blame for a home sales slump. Sales of existing homes dropped 5.9% from February to March. The yearly lookback shows a smaller decline, with sales declining 2.4% compared to March 2024.

"Home buying and selling remained sluggish in March due to the affordability challenges associated with high mortgage rates," Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said in a news release. "Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibility of less economic mobility for society."

Competition: Easing up

The March 2025 Realtors Confidence Index, a survey of the NAR’s members, highlights recent trends real estate agents are seeing in their local markets that are easing the competition among buyers. Some shifts to note:

  • Bidding wars aren’t the norm. A home listed for sale received an average 2.4 offers in March, about the same as last month (2.3) but down from 3.1 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 March, 21% of homes sold above listing price — identical to last month, but down from 29% last year. 

  • Homes are staying on the market longer. Houses stayed on the market for a median 36 days in March, down from 42 days in typically sluggish February but up from 33 days a year ago.

Overall, though, demand still outpaces supply. This is hardly a mellow market: Good homes sell quickly, and buyers should still expect competition out there.

Should I buy a house now or wait?

Ultimately, whether it’s a good time to buy comes down to your personal financial readiness. If your credit score needs work or you’re in major debt, consider tackling those goals first. You also need to be emotionally ready for the commitment of owning a house.

Here are some green flags that it’s a good time to buy.

  • Stability: You have steady income and employment, and you’re ready to stay in one place for several years.

  • Lifestyle fit: For first-time buyers, you’re up for the responsibility of paying for maintenance and repairs. For repeat buyers, your current home no longer meets your needs: You’re ready for more space, a new neighborhood or to downsize.

  • Savings: You'll need money for a down payment and closing costs, as well as for moving costs and other expenses.

  • Low debt: Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) shows how much of your monthly income goes toward paying debt (like student loans, car payments or credit cards). The lower your DTI, the better your mortgage rates and terms. A DTI of 36% or below is most attractive to lenders.

  • Good credit score: Borrowers with credit scores of 740 and above get the best mortgage rates and terms. It’s possible to qualify with a score in the 600s, but your options are limited.

Did you know...

According to mortgage data provider ICE Mortgage Technology, the average FICO credit score for purchase mortgages in the last 30 days was 734. The average DTI was 40%.

The takeaway: If you’re ready to buy, jump in now.

Don’t try to time the market perfectly. If you’re in a good spot, national trends don’t have to be.

Do you have a stable income, solid savings and a desire to settle down? The market’s always shifting, but being personally ready matters way more than trying to guess the “perfect” time. Know how far your budget can go in your local area, and you can find a way to make it work.

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