Should I Wait Until 2027 to Sell My House?

Forecasts expect flat prices in 2027. Here is the math of waiting a year and when it does make sense.

By Shivam Kaushik · Updated November 7, 2026 · 4 min read

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Quick answers

Should you wait until 2027 to sell? For most sellers, waiting just for a better price is unlikely to pay off. Forecasts call for roughly flat prices in 2027.
Rates are not expected to help much: Fannie Mae sees 7.5% and the MBA above 7% for 2027.
Waiting makes sense if your life plans are not ready, you can comfortably keep the home with no need to move, or you are close to a tax milestone.
Sell sooner if you need to move, need the equity, or your local market is softening.

Updated November 2026.

If you are thinking about selling, you may wonder whether to list now or hold out until 2027 for a better market. Here is what the forecasts say, the real costs of waiting, and a simple way to decide.

What 2027 is expected to look like for sellers

Prices: about +0.5% (MBA) to +1.1% (Zillow) nationally. The MBA expects the median existing-home price to ease to about $410,000 in 2027 from about $418,000 in 2026.
Buyers: existing-home sales near 3.9 to 4.1 million, still well below normal.
Rates: above 7%, which keeps buyer budgets tight.

In short, nobody expects 2027 to be much better for sellers than today. See the full housing market predictions for 2027.

The math of waiting a year

Example

Take a $418,000 home. If prices rise 0.6% (Fannie Mae’s 2027 forecast), the home gains about $2,508 in a year. If you are moving anyway and would keep the old home empty, a year of property tax (about 1.1%), insurance (about $2,400) and upkeep (about 1%) could cost roughly $11,000. These cost figures are assumptions, so plug in your own.

If you are staying in the home anyway, the carrying cost matters less, because you would pay it either way. The real question becomes whether your plans are ready.

When waiting until 2027 can make sense

Your next step is not ready. A new job, school year or family change may matter more than market timing.
You are close to the two-year tax rule. Married couples can usually exclude up to $500,000 of gain on a main home ($250,000 if single) if they owned and lived in it for at least two of the last five years. Selling too early can mean a tax bill. Check IRS Topic 701 or a tax pro.
You have a very low rate and no need to move. Your current rate may be worth more than any price gain.
You need repairs first. Fixing major issues before listing can help a home sell for more.

When selling sooner is usually better

You have to move for work or family. Owning two homes or an empty home gets expensive fast.
Your local market is softening. Rising listings, longer days on market and price cuts are signs. See October 2026 housing inventory.
You need the equity for a down payment, debt payoff or retirement.
Your costs are rising. Big jumps in insurance or property tax can tip the math. See property taxes and your mortgage.

Myth buster

Myth: “When rates drop, buyers will rush back and I will get a bidding war.” Reality: Lower rates would also bring more sellers to market, because many owners are waiting for the same thing. That extra supply can limit price gains.

Tips if you sell in a slow market

Price close to recent sales, not your neighbor’s list price.
Offer a seller credit toward a buyer’s rate buydown. It can matter more to buyers than a small price cut.
If you have an FHA or VA loan, see if buyers can take it over. A low assumable mortgage is a strong selling point.
Budget for closing costs. See closing costs explained.

FAQ

Should I wait until 2027 to sell my house?

Only if your plans or taxes make it sensible. Forecasts expect roughly flat prices and rates above 7% in 2027, so waiting just for a better price is unlikely to pay off much.

Will home prices go up in 2027?

Slightly, according to most forecasts: about 0.5% to 1.1% nationally. Some local markets may fall.

Is it better to sell in spring?

Spring usually brings more buyers, so listing in March to June can help. That is a timing choice within a year, not a reason to wait a full year.

What if mortgage rates drop in 2027?

Major forecasts do not expect a big drop. If one happens, more buyers and more sellers would both return.

Sources: Fannie Mae and MBA October 2026 forecasts; Zillow Home Value Index forecast (as reported); IRS Topic 701 (sale of your home). Carrying-cost figures are illustrative assumptions. This article is general education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Keys & Coffee is not a lender.

Written by

Shivam Kaushik· IMSHIVA

Founder & Director, QuibbleTech Solutions Pvt Ltd · Editor, Keys & Coffee

Shivam Kaushik is the founder of QuibbleTech Solutions Pvt Ltd and the editor of Keys & Coffee. He is not a licensed loan officer or financial adviser. Every guide here is written in plain English and checked against official sources such as the CFPB, HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Reserve. For advice on your own loan, talk to a licensed lender.

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Keys & Coffee is an independent education site. We are not a lender or mortgage broker, we do not take loan applications or payments, and nothing here is financial advice. This site is not affiliated with Axia Home Loans, Axia Financial, LLC, or Planet Home Lending. Rates and rules change often — always confirm details with a licensed loan officer and check any lender on the NMLS Consumer Access site.