Are you strategically waiting it out? In Rochester’s housing market, “waiting for the right time” comes at a price most buyers don’t fully account for until they’ve already paid it.
We never want to push anyone into a decision before they’re ready. But we think it’s important to be honest with yourselves about why you are waiting, and what waiting may be costing you if it’s for the wrong reasons.
Rochester’s Market Isn’t Cooling Off
Home values in Monroe County have risen 75% since 2019, according to the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS. Realtor.com ranked Rochester the No. 2 housing market in the country for 2026, projecting 15.5% combined growth between rising prices and increased sales activity.
Inventory tells the rest of the story. In early 2026, Rochester had less than a month’s worth of homes for sale. For context, a balanced market usually has five or six months of supply. That gap between what’s available and how many people want to buy is what keeps prices climbing and buyers competing. There’s nothing on the horizon that suggests this will shift anytime soon.
If you’re hoping Rochester will slow down and hand you an easier entry point, you might be waiting for something that just isn’t in the cards.
What You’re Giving Up While You Wait
The cost of waiting sneaks in, bit by bit, in ways that are easy to overlook until you add them up.
Rising purchase price. When home values climb while you’re watching from the sidelines, the house you could have bought this year ends up costing more next year. On $200,000 homes, a 5% jump means you’re looking at an extra $10,000.
Equity you’re not building. Every mortgage payment is a small step toward owning more of your home. Every rent check you hand off to your landlord is a step toward building someone else’s equity and wealth.
Stability you don’t have yet. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your main payment stays the same for years. Rent, on the other hand, can jump every time your lease is up. If you value knowing what your monthly costs will be, that difference adds up more than most people realize.
The Rate Argument, Honestly
Plenty of buyers are holding out for mortgage rates to drop. It makes sense on paper, but in real life, it doesn’t always work out the way you’d hope.
Rates peaked above 7% in early 2025 and have since come down to around 6.23%, with most forecasts keeping them in the low sixes through 2026, according to the Rochester Business Journal. That’s real progress. But if home prices keep climbing while you wait for rates to drop further, a lower rate on a higher purchase price can cost you just as much over the life of the loan.
For most people, the smarter move is to buy when you’re financially ready, and then refinance later if rates come down. Waiting for the perfect rate while prices keep rising is a gamble that rarely pays off.
When Waiting Is Actually the Right Call
If your credit needs some attention, your down payment isn’t quite there, or your job situation is in flux, waiting is the right move. But if your finances are solid and you’re waiting because you hope Rochester’s market will cool off and make things easier, the numbers just don’t support that. Prices keep rising, inventory is still tight, and buyers are still competing. The window isn’t closing overnight, but it’s not opening any wider either.
What Actually Makes the Difference
Trying to time the market is wishful thinking. What actually makes a difference in a place like Rochester is being ready: knowing your budget, understanding how to make a strong offer, and having someone in your corner who can help you move fast when the right place pops up.
That’s where we come in. The Sharon Q Team with Century 21 APEX helps buyers in Rochester every day, cutting through the noise and helping people make confident choices.
If you’re still wondering whether now is the right time for you, chat with us anytime to break down the process, from timing your move to what to expect at each step.
Sources:
- Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS (GRAR) via Rochester Business Journal: https://rbj.net/2025/12/10/rochester-housing-market-outlook-for-2026-remains-positive/
- Realtor.com 2026 Housing Market Forecast via Rochester First: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/real-estate/rochester-ranked-no-2-housing-market-in-u-s-for-2026/
