10/15/2026
IN 2023, BUYERS WERE AFRAID TO MISS OUT. IN 2026, MANY ARE AFRAID TO BUY. WHY?
Here’s something I’ve been thinking about after more than 30 years in real estate and mortgage lending.
In 2021 and 2022, buyers were competing for homes, offering above asking price, and sometimes giving up inspections or repairs just to get an offer accepted.
By October 2023, mortgage rates had climbed to nearly 8%. Competition had slowed, but some buyers recognized an opportunity: fewer people competing for the same house.
Fast forward to 2026.
In parts of Dallas–Fort Worth, we’re seeing price reductions, sellers contributing toward closing costs, and more opportunities to negotiate repairs.
Yet many buyers are sitting on the sidelines.
Here’s what I find fascinating:
When everyone was buying, people were afraid to miss out.
Now that fewer people are buying, some are afraid to make a mistake.
That’s what I call the other side of herd mentality.
The same crowd that once made people feel confident about buying may now be making them afraid to buy.
Of course, affordability, job security, and financial stability are real concerns. Not everyone should buy right now.
But here’s the question I would ask anyone considering purchasing a home:
Are you waiting because the numbers don’t work, or because everyone around you is waiting?
Because those are two very different things.
I’ve been through several housing cycles since 1993, and one lesson has stayed with me:
A crowded market doesn’t guarantee a good deal. And a slow market doesn’t mean there aren’t good opportunities.
Don’t let the crowd make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Before you decide to wait another year, let’s look at what you could actually buy, what we might negotiate, and what your monthly payment would be.
Call me!! Let’s make a decision based on your numbers, not the crowd.
Joseph Bazan | Realtor®
Serving DFW families since 1993.
📞 972-716-0117
📲 214-728-8024
📩 [email protected]
🌐 josephbazan.com
