Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait in 2025?

If you spend any time on real estate forums you will see the same question asked again and again. Should I buy a home now or wait? In Vancouver where prices are high and the market shifts quickly this question feels even more urgent. Buyers worry about overpaying. They wonder if interest rates will fall. They hope for a price drop that never seems to come.

The truth is simple. Timing the market is nearly impossible. What matters more is timing your own life.

Why Timing the Market Rarely Works

Home prices and interest rates move in cycles. By the time the news reports that the market is hot, prices have already climbed. By the time you hear the market is cooling, the best opportunities may already be gone.

Waiting for the perfect low price is like waiting for the perfect stock market day. Nobody consistently gets it right. The biggest winners in real estate are the people who hold property for the long term, not the ones who try to predict the short term.

The Real Question: Are You Ready?

Instead of asking if the market is ready, ask if you are ready. That means checking three things.

Financial readiness
Do you have a down payment, a stable income, and a buffer for closing costs and repairs?

Lifestyle readiness
Do you plan to stay in the home or the city for at least three to five years? Buying makes the most sense if you will stick around.

Emotional readiness
Are you prepared to take on responsibility for maintenance, budgeting, and long term planning?

If you can say yes to those three questions then you are in a strong position regardless of market noise.

What the Vancouver Market Is Doing in 2025

As of early 2025, Vancouver is in a balanced market. Prices have softened slightly from the peak but inventory remains limited in desirable neighborhoods. Interest rates are still higher than they were in the last decade, which impacts monthly payments.

For buyers this creates both challenge and opportunity. Competition is not as intense as the frenzy years, but affordability is stretched. This is where buying within your comfort zone becomes crucial.

The Power of Time in the Market

Consider two scenarios.

Buyer A waits two years for prices to dip by five percent. In that time they continue renting and prices only fall slightly. Interest rates also adjust upward, which cancels out the savings.

Buyer B buys today at a comfortable monthly payment. Over five years they build equity through mortgage paydown and potential appreciation. Even if prices move sideways for a while, they gain stability and security.

The lesson is clear. Time in the market usually beats timing the market.

Strategies If You Decide to Buy Now

If buying this year feels right, here are smart moves:

• Get pre-approved early so you know your exact numbers
• Focus on properties where you can see yourself living at least five years
• Avoid stretching to your maximum approval amount
• Always budget for closing costs and a repair fund

When Waiting May Make Sense

There are situations where waiting can be smart. If you have unstable employment, heavy debt, or no emergency savings, pause and strengthen your foundation. If you are planning a major lifestyle change such as moving cities, it is also better to wait until you are settled.

Conclusion: Buying Is About You, Not Just the Market

The best time to buy a home is not when the headlines say so. It is when your finances, lifestyle, and confidence all line up. In Vancouver where markets move quickly, your personal readiness is the most powerful signal.

Ready to find out if now is the right time for you? Contact me today and I’ll walk you through your numbers, show you the current market options, and help you decide with confidence.

Sasha Hahn