Buying in a Shifting Market? Keep the Long Game in Mind

What a Short-Term Dip in Home Prices Really Means

Headlines are making noise again—this time about home prices dipping in some markets. And if you’re starting to second-guess your plans because of what you’re hearing, here’s the reality behind the media buzz.

Yes, a few metro areas are seeing modest price adjustments. But let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture: home values almost always go up over time.

Why the 2008 Crash Doesn’t Define Today’s Market

The housing crash of 2008 is often the fear behind every whisper of a price drop. But the conditions then—lax lending standards, excessive inventory, and limited homeowner equity—are nothing like what we’re seeing today. Most buyers now are highly qualified, inventory is still tight, and equity levels are strong.

So, a short-term dip in prices? That’s not a red flag—it’s the market finding its balance.

Enter the Five-Year Rule

This is a concept seasoned real estate professionals often reference: If you plan to stay in your home for at least five years, you’re likely to ride out any short-term price fluctuations and come out ahead. Because historically, that’s exactly what happens.

As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, puts it:

“. . . there’s the ‘five-year rule of thumb’ in real estate—which suggests that most buyers can buffer themselves from mild short-term declines if they plan to own a property for at least that amount of time.”

So, What’s Actually Happening Right Now?

In markets where prices are softening slightly, the average dip is just around 2.9% since April 2024. But zoom out five years, and those same areas are still up—often by 50% or more. That’s a serious gain, not a loss.

And across the country, every state has seen home price growth over the last five years, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Nationwide, prices are up 55% in just five years. That’s the kind of long-term growth that builds real wealth.

The Takeaway? Time Is Your Ally in Real Estate

If you’re thinking about buying or selling, it’s easy to get distracted by short-term headlines. But if your timeline is longer than a few months—and for most people, it is—history shows homeownership still builds value over time.

Bottom Line

Real estate isn’t a quick flip—it’s a long-term investment. And if you’re planning to stay in your next home for a few years, the five-year rule should give you confidence that a temporary dip isn’t a dealbreaker.

Think about where you want to be in five years. Does homeownership play a part in that plan? Let’s talk about how to make it happen.