Alright, let’s cut the crap. Everyone’s sweating bullets over these mortgage rates. You see that 6.67% number and think, “Screw this, I’m waiting.” Big mistake. HUGE. While everyone else is paralyzed by fear, smart players are making moves. Sitting on the sidelines waiting for some magical rate drop? That’s how you lose in the long run.
Think buying a house right now is impossible? Think again. Yeah, rates aren’t the dreamy 3% we saw a few years back. As of mid-March 2025, we’re looking at around 6.67% for a 30-year fixed, a tiny nudge up from the week before, according to Freddie Mac. But guess what? That’s still down from the 6.87% average the same time last year. Newsflash: Rates dipped slightly, and house prices? They’re still climbing, maybe just a bit slower. Waiting doesn’t just cost you time; it costs you cold, hard cash as prices inflate.
The Brutal Truth: Why Sitting on the Sidelines Kills Your Home Buying Dream
So, is now the time to jump in? Hell yes, according to Barbara Corcoran – you know, the real estate mogul and Shark Tank legend who built an empire from scratch. She’s not mincing words. Waiting is the real gamble.
Why? Because while you’re waiting for your perfect rate, the game is changing under your feet. Corcoran lays it out straight on her Instagram: “You already know that mortgage rates are still high, and house prices are going up still by 3 or 4% a year… You shouldn’t waste any time and stall buying your house.”
Here’s the kicker she dropped: “The real problem in the marketplace is that two-thirds of homeowners are sitting on interest rates, under 4%, and they’re not going to move.”
Think about that. Most people who could sell are locked into crazy-low rates they’ll never see again. They aren’t moving. They’re staying put, maybe doing renos, but they sure as hell aren’t listing their homes. What does that mean for you? Inventory is TIGHT. Like, seriously scarce.
This isn’t just talk; surveys back it up. Boomers, especially, are digging in their heels, planning to age in place. Less inventory + hesitant buyers = a weird pocket of opportunity. Corcoran sees this clearly: Less competition right now because others are scared. Her advice? “Don’t stall… Get out there and buy a house.” Seize the moment while others hesitate.
Your Secret Weapon: Timing the Market (Yes, Really) & Smart Plays
Okay, so you’re convinced waiting is dumb. When should you strike in 2025? According to the Realwing 2025 Housing Forecast, there’s a potential sweet spot in spring, maybe peaking around mid-April.
Corcoran doubled down on this when talking to Fox News, especially addressing millennials feeling priced out. Her advice? Be tactical.
“You can shop in the spring market, when people are away for spring break,” she suggested. This aligns perfectly with Realwing‘s data pointing to the week of April 13–19 as potentially prime time for sellers, which ironically means buyers might find distracted sellers or less competition. “Houses are undersold in that week because nobody’s around to sell those houses,” Corcoran explained. It’s a potential arbitrage play.
The Fixer-Upper Advantage: Build Equity While Others Wait
Another pro tip, especially for younger buyers or those willing to roll up their sleeves? Target the ugly ducklings.
“People are afraid of [fixer-upper houses],” Corcoran noted. But here’s the opportunity: financing for renovations is easier to get than many think. Find a structurally sound place that needs cosmetic work on a good block. Yeah, it takes effort. But while everyone else is fighting over the few perfect, overpriced houses, you could snag a deal and build instant equity by transforming it. “If you can fix a fixer up, you get a better house on a good block.”
The Bottom Line: Get Off Your Ass
Look, nobody loves these rates. But waiting for a perfect scenario that might never come while home prices keep ticking up? That’s a guaranteed way to lose. Low inventory means fewer choices, but it also means the people holding out for lower rates are missing the boat right now.
Stop analyzing yourself into paralysis. Stop waiting for permission. If you’re financially ready, the time to get serious about buying isn’t “when rates drop.” It’s now. Get pre-approved, find a killer agent, and start hunting. While everyone else is complaining, you could be closing on your future. Don’t be the person five years from now kicking yourself for waiting. Go make it happen.
