Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?  The housing market is always shifting, and whether it's a good time to buy depends on several factors. Right now, home prices in Georgia have increased by 1.5% year-over-year, while the number of homes sold has dropped by 10.3%, and the number of homes for sale has risen by 14.5%. This suggests that inventory is growing, which could give buyers more options.

On a broader scale, home price growth is slowing, and mortgage rates are expected to remain elevated but could decline over time. If rates drop, pent-up demand could drive prices back up, so timing your purchase carefully is key3.

Since the pandemic, the housing market has gone through some dramatic shifts:

• Home prices surged—The median U.S. home price jumped 45% from $289,000 in 2020 to $418,000 in 2025.
• Mortgage rates spiked—After hitting record lows in 2021, rates climbed to around 7%, making homeownership more expensive.
• Inventory dried up—Many homeowners locked in low rates and hesitated to sell, limiting supply.
• Buyers gained options—Recently, inventory has increased 30.6% year-over-year, giving buyers more choices.
• Price growth is slowing—Experts predict home prices will rise only 1.3% to 4.1% in 2025, much lower than previous years

The Metro Atlanta housing market has seen some interesting shifts recently:

• Home prices: The median sale price in Atlanta is $380,000, down 10.6% compared to last year.
• Market activity: Homes are selling slower, taking an average of 84 days to sell, compared to 55 days last year.
• Inventory: The number of homes for sale has increased, giving buyers more options.
• Price forecast: Experts predict gradual price growth in 2025, but not at the rapid pace seen in previous years.

Since you're considering buying a home in Metro Atlanta, here’s a breakdown of key factors to weigh:

• More inventory—There are more homes on the market, giving buyers better options and negotiating power.
• Price dip—With home prices down 10.6% from last year, buyers might get a better deal now than in previous years.
• Interest rates—Rates are still relatively high, but if they drop, demand could surge, pushing prices back up.
• Market slowdown—Homes are sitting longer, meaning sellers may be more willing to negotiate.

If you're financially prepared and find the right home, this could be a good time to buy. However, if mortgage rates fall later in the year, home prices will rise. You can be in control if you have your home already and lenders are fighting to offer you lower rates to re-finance.