Wait Until 2018 — Should I Buy A House Now Or
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 introduced new limits on mortgage interest deductions (lowered to $750,000 for new loans) and a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. Waiting allowed buyers to see how these changes affected their specific tax liability and local market demand.
Home prices rose roughly 6.3% nationally in 2017. By buying earlier, homeowners could capture this equity growth rather than paying a higher entry price later.
Buyers faced extreme competition and a "tight" inventory environment, with the supply of homes for sale hitting record lows. The Case for Waiting Until 2018 should i buy a house now or wait until 2018
Housing market forecast : Experts weigh in on 2018 real estate
For those who waited, the primary hope was a . Some analysts predicted that more homeowners would list their properties, potentially slowing the rapid price surges seen in previous years. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
If you prioritized monthly affordability , buying in 2017 was generally the better move to secure a lower interest rate. If you were focused on selection and were willing to pay a premium in interest for a house that better fit your needs, waiting for the 2018 inventory bump was a viable, albeit more expensive, strategy. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
In 2017, the housing market was defined by , which hovered around 3.9% to 4.0% for most of the year. For many, this presented a "last chance" to lock in lower monthly payments before the Federal Reserve’s planned interest rate hikes took full effect. By buying earlier, homeowners could capture this equity
Mortgage rates rose significantly, averaging roughly 4.44% by early 2018 and even touching 5% later in the year. This increase in rates often offset any benefits from slower price growth, significantly reducing overall home-buying power . Historical Comparison: 2017 vs. 2018 Late 2017 (Actual) 2018 (Forecast/Actual) Avg. Mortgage Rate (30-yr) ~3.9% – 4.0% ~4.5% – 4.8% Home Price Growth 6.3% increase 4.9% projected increase Market Condition Extreme inventory shortage Modest inventory growth