Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back From Buying a Home?

If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to drop before jumping into the market, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of buyers are hoping for that magical moment when rates slip into the high-5% range again — the moment when everything suddenly feels more “affordable.”

But here’s the part most people don’t realize:

The difference between today’s rates and that “dream rate” is roughly $80 a month on an average-priced home.

That’s it.
Eighty dollars.

For many of us, that’s a couple of takeout meals, a few Target runs we didn’t plan on making, or the mysterious Amazon purchases we swear we didn’t make at midnight.

And yet, that $80 is holding some buyers back far more than it should.

Why Waiting Might Cost More Than Acting

Rates have already come down from their peak earlier this year. And while the headlines love predicting huge drops, experts expect rates to stay within the same general range heading into 2026.

What matters more than chasing a perfect rate is understanding the true impact of waiting:

1. Home Prices Keep Moving

Here in Middlesex County and surrounding CT towns, inventory is tight — and that usually leads to steady or increasing prices. Waiting can mean paying more later, even if the rate changes slightly.

2. More Buyers Enter the Market When Rates Drop

When rates fall suddenly, competition spikes. More competition can mean:
✔ More bidding wars
✔ Less negotiating room
✔ And potentially paying more for the same home

3. The Perfect Home Doesn’t Wait

While buyers wait for a rate that changes their payment by the price of a pizza… the home they really want could be scooped up by someone else who ran the numbers and said, “Let’s do this.”

Do the Numbers Actually Work For You?

That’s the real question — and it’s different for everyone.

For some buyers, that $80 makes a huge difference in their budget and deserves thoughtful consideration.

For others, it’s simply a mental hurdle that’s delaying a move they’re already ready for.

Either way, the goal isn’t to pressure you — it’s to give you the right information so you can make the best decision for your situation.

The Bottom Line

If you find the right home, and it fits your lifestyle and long-term financial goals, don’t let a small monthly difference be the thing that holds you back.

The smartest buyers aren’t waiting for perfect.
They’re making informed decisions based on what’s true today — not what might happen months down the road.

And if you want help running the numbers, understanding how today’s rates impact buying power, or exploring what’s currently available in central Connecticut…

The Huscher Team at REAL is here to guide you every step of the way.