Waiting is Costly! If you’ve been waiting for lower interest rates before buying, you may already have paid a price for waiting — in lost equity.

Current forecasts don’t show mortgage rates falling dramatically anytime soon. We can certainly expect rates to move up and down along the way, but buyers hoping to see a return to the 3%–4% mortgage rates of a few years ago are being unrealistic. That was a rare situation that probably won’t be repeated in our lifetimes.

Rates below 5% have only happened twice in the last 100 years – first in the post WWII era and in the recent efforts by Washington to stimulate our economy after the 2008 financial crisis and the Pandemic. The historical average for they years 1971 -2026 is 7.7%!

That means current interest rates are BELOW AVERAGE!!!!

If that doesn’t convince you, the most optimistic forecasts currently have rates moving down toward the low-6% range sometime in 2027. Right now, there is little evidence that a dramatic decline is imminent, though small reductions are likely once the U.S.-Iran conflict stabilizes. The resulting lower oil prices could help reduce inflationary pressures, which could eventually put downward pressure on the 10-year Treasury and mortgage rates.

But remember, you always have the ability to refinance if rates fall substantially in the future.

CAPE CORAL HOME PRICES ARE AT BOTTOM! June 2026 statistics show that the median price of single-family homes in Cape Coral increased 4.3% compared to June of last year. Buyers are starting to see less inventory, meaning they have fewer choices. Sellers are beginning to feel more confident. Bottom line again, is CAPE CORAL HOME PRICES ARE AT BOTTOM.

Renters Need to Pay Attention to This: I recently met with a couple who need to sell their home because of a job relocation. They bought before the last major upswing in 2022–2023. Because they purchased before that increase in values, they expect to walk away from the closing table with approximately $120,000, after paying off their mortgage and the financing they used for window and door replacements.

Think about that for a moment. They didn’t just have a place to live; they built approximately $120,000 in wealth through equity as a homeowner.

Had they rented during that same period, they wouldn’t have owned the asset that appreciated in value.

That’s the part of the Buy-versus-Rent discussion that is often overlooked. While renting provides housing, homeownership can provide housing plus the opportunity to build equity.

If you’re renting, these Sellers could be you in a few years from now if you buy while prices are relatively low and the market continues to recover. But if you continue renting while waiting for the “perfect” combination of lower prices and lower interest rates, there’s a very real possibility that you’ll miss the opportunity to build equity while you wait.

So what’s next?

If you’re not ready yet to buy or sell, let’s talk over your concerns. I promise no pressure. I’m too busy to hound you. In fact, I much rather help you decide what’s best for you now so that when you are ready, you’ll feel comfortable that I’ll help you achieve your goals – not mine. Here’s my contact info:
239-410-2324
SamYaffey@gmail.com