09/08/2026
The graph tells a pretty clear story: the median price of a new home has climbed from $47,200 in 1980 to more than $410,000 today.
That growth didn’t happen in a straight line, and there have certainly been periods when prices declined. But over the long term, waiting for dramatically lower prices hasn’t historically been a winning strategy.
If you’re holding out for 2021 mortgage rates, remember: 2021 home prices may not be coming back with them. Let’s look at today’s numbers and determine what makes sense for you.