Published February 27, 2026

What waiting to buy really costs

Written by Andrew Schmidt

What waiting to buy really costs header image.

Homebuyer Update

Week of February 26th, 2026

A Quick Look at What Waiting Really Costs

Here’s a simple way to look at today’s market. National home prices have grown roughly 6% over the past two years (CoreLogic/Case‑Shiller consensus). On a $450,000 home, that’s about $27,000 in equity you would have already built.

When we run the Cost of Waiting, the difference gets even clearer. Delaying a purchase on that same home can mean around $33,000 in lost equity and down‑payment power—and it can take years to catch up.

This isn’t about pressure. It’s just the math behind how value builds over time. If you’d like, I can run your numbers so you can see what waiting versus buying really looks like.

Happy house hunting.

Source: CoreLogic/Case‑Shiller Home Price Index (national appreciation trend), Envoy Mortgage Cost of Waiting Calculator