I talk to a lot of people who are quietly worried they’d regret buying right now. And I get it. Everyday expenses cost more, mortgage rates are higher than anyone would like, and when the economy feels shaky, taking on a mortgage can feel like a huge leap. So let me offer the most reassuring thing I can, and it’s not my opinion, it’s what people who already made the leap are telling us.
The vast majority of them would do it all over again.
Most buyers would do it again
A recent NerdWallet survey found that 74% of recent buyers were glad they bought their home. And the regret crowd? A tiny 3%. Sit with that gap for a second, because it cuts right against the anxious headlines. Nearly three out of four recent buyers, who bought in this exact high-rate, high-cost environment, are happy they did it. So if you’re nervous, know that most people standing where you’re standing came out the other side glad.
Here’s the big reason why, and it’s the single most important idea in this whole post: a home is a long-term play. Let me show you what that means by zooming out, step by step.
First, zoom out to 5 years
When you’re deciding whether to buy, it’s natural to fixate on this exact moment. Today’s rate. This month’s prices. Those things matter, but they’re a snapshot, and a home isn’t a snapshot purchase. So widen the lens to just five years.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home prices nationally have risen 33.4% over just the past five years. And that appreciation turned into real wealth: Bankrate found homeowners gained an average of nearly $150,000 over the same five years, as equity rose across 90% of major metro areas. That’s the quiet magic of ownership: as you pay down your loan and your home appreciates, your stake in it grows. One honest local note, because I always give it to you straight. Washington actually rose about 20% over the past five years, a touch below the national pace, as our market cooled from its earlier frenzy. Hold that thought, though, because the longer view tells a very different story here.
Now zoom out to decades
Five years is impressive. But the picture gets genuinely dramatic when you stop looking at individual market cycles and look at the span of a mortgage instead. FHFA data shows home prices nationally have risen 336% since 1991. Read that again, three hundred thirty-six percent. And Washington? Up a staggering 482% over that span, well ahead of the national pace. That’s exactly why zooming out matters: our softer recent five years is a blip against decades of some of the strongest appreciation in the country.
Now, I want to be honest with you, because that’s how I work: this does not mean prices rise every single year, and it does not mean buying is automatically right for everyone today. You should only buy when the numbers and the payment genuinely work for you. What this long view does show is why trying to perfectly time the market can cause you to miss the far bigger picture. Over time, owners build serious equity, and that equity becomes a real financial tool. As Freddie Mac puts it, “the equity you have built over time will come back to you in the sale… If it’s time to upsize or downsize, you can use that cash for the down payment on your next home.” In other words, buying well today can fund your next move down the road.
But what if prices dip after I buy?
This is the fear I hear most, so let’s meet it head-on. Yes, prices can dip. They have before, and they may again in any given year. But remember the thread running through this whole post: you’re not buying for one year. Historically, prices have risen far more over the long run than they’ve fallen in the short term, and the longer you own, the more time you have to ride out the bumps and keep building equity. Time in the market does the heavy lifting, not timing the market.
A few questions I’m hearing a lot
Do people regret buying a home right now?
Most don’t. A recent NerdWallet survey found 74% of recent buyers were glad they bought, and only 3% regret it. The big reason is that homeownership is a long-term play and equity tends to grow over time.
Is buying a home worth it in 2026?
It can be, if the numbers and the monthly payment work for you. Home prices rose 33.4% nationally over five years (FHFA), and owners gained an average of nearly $150,000 in wealth over that span (Bankrate). Only buy when it fits your budget and plans.
How much have home prices risen over time?
Per FHFA, U.S. home prices rose 33.4% over the past five years and 336% since 1991. Prices don’t rise every year, but over the long run they’ve historically trended up.
What if home prices fall after I buy?
Prices can dip, and have before. But since a home is a long-term purchase, the longer you own, the more time you have to ride out short-term swings and keep building equity. You’re not buying for just one year.
Let’s look at your numbers
Don’t let today’s uncertainty blur the bigger picture of what owning a home can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again, and decades of growth help explain why. If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s sit down and look at the actual numbers together, your budget, your payment, your timeline, and what owning could mean for you in the years ahead. Reach me and the team anytime at [email protected], or catch us on our show, Open House with Team Reba.
Rebecca “Reba” Haas has been helping people buy, sell, and invest across the Seattle area and greater Puget Sound since 2003. She leads Team Reba at RE/MAX Metro Eastside.
Sources: NerdWallet (buyer satisfaction survey); Federal Housing Finance Agency (home-price growth); Bankrate (homeowner wealth gains); Freddie Mac (home equity). Local context via Northwest Multiple Listing Service. This article is general information, not financial, tax, or legal advice; past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a professional about your specific situation.
