Recently a client asked for my advice on their home search. The question was “We’ve been looking for a while, and haven’t seen anything we love, how should we approach this?” I wrote them an email, and then thought – others might have the same question. So I turned it into a blog post:
Every week I talk to buyers who feel stuck, deflated, or just plain frustrated by the housing market. And honestly? I get it. If you’ve been casually or seriously searching for the better part of a year and still haven’t found “the one,” it can start to feel like you’re chasing a moving target.
So what should you do when the housing search starts to wear you down?
Right now, we’re seeing the highest inventory levels since December 2019. That’s great news -more options! But the reality is that many of those homes are similar to what we’ve been seeing all year: same price points, same location, same styles.
Even though inventory will rise again in the fall (June and October tend to be the two peaks each year), don’t expect drastically different homes to suddenly hit the market. It’s more like a repeat than a reinvention.
If you’ve been looking for nearly a year and nothing feels worth offering on, it might be time to reassess your criteria. Every home search comes down to balancing these three factors:
- Price – Is there room in the budget for a slight increase?
- Size – Are you open to a smaller home, or is growing space a must?
- Location – Would expanding your search radius open up more possibilities?
Often, adjusting just one of these can dramatically improve your options.
I’ve worked with clients who took 2–3 years to find the right home — not because they were picky, but because they weren’t in a rush. Others have written 10+ offers before one finally stuck, especially during the ultra-competitive peaks of the past few years.
Right now, though? The market is less aggressive. Most good homes are getting 1–3 offers, not 10–15. That’s a big shift in your favor.
If your current situation is comfortable and you can stay put another year, there’s nothing wrong with hitting pause. Just keep in mind: when mortgage rates drop into the high 5s or low 6’s, we will see a surge of buyers and a jump in home prices.
Buying now means you secure today’s price, and if rates drop? You refinance.
If you’re feeling stuck, take a breath and consider this: You’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes the market doesn’t match your wishlist — and that’s okay. But if you want to move forward, think about which lever (price, location, or size) you’re willing to shift.
Have questions about your own search? Reach out — I’d love to talk through your situation.