Is $80 a Month Really Worth Delaying Your Home Purchase?

Juana Colenzo
Nov 19, 2025
2 min read

Many buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching mortgage rates hover just above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy when they drop into the 5s. And sure—everyone wants the lowest rate possible.

But here’s the reality: that magic 5.99% target may not save you nearly as much as you think.

Affordability is still tough, no question. But the market has already given today’s buyers an advantage. Rates have been trending down for months, and that decline translates into more savings than most people realize.

How Much You’re Already Saving—Without Even Knowing It

Let’s look at real numbers.

Mortgage rates peaked in May, climbing above 7%. Since then, they’ve eased into the low 6s. That shift might sound small, but the financial impact is big.

According to Redfin, the typical monthly payment on a $400,000 home is already almost $400 lower than it was in May.

So if you’re shopping for a home today, you’re saving hundreds of dollars per month compared to buyers earlier this spring. For many people who paused their search, that difference puts homeownership back within reach.

Waiting for rates to fall even further may feel tempting—but that wait could cost you more than it saves.

What Experts Expect for Rates

Most industry experts agree: rates will likely stay close to where they are now through 2026. In fact, only one major forecast predicts they might dip into the high-5% range next year.

And even if they do?

The savings aren’t as dramatic as you might expect.

What a 5.99% Rate Really Means

Here’s the math:If rates slide to 5.99%, the average homeowner saves around $80 per month compared to today’s rates—give or take based on price and lender terms.

Eighty dollars.

That’s roughly one night of takeout. It’s not a life-changing difference.

But compare that with the nearly $400 a month buyers are already saving today because rates have fallen from their peak. That’s a meaningful drop—one you can take advantage of right now.

So ask yourself:

Is waiting for an extra $80 a month really worth it?

Especially when the bigger opportunity could be what’s happening in the market today.

Why Waiting Could Backfire

At the moment, buyers have several advantages:

More homes to choose from
More negotiating power
Less competition

But once rates hit the high 5s, buyer behavior will shift fast.

NAR reports that if rates drop to 6%, 5.5 million more households would suddenly qualify for the median-priced home. Even if a small percentage of those buyers jump into the market, competition will rise—and so will prices.

That price increase could easily erase the $80 a month you waited for.

So if your plan is to wait for 5.99%, consider the bigger picture:

You might save a little on your payment but spend more on the house itself.