Why waiting could sabotage equity

George Lorimer
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Why waiting could sabotage equity

Why a 6-Month Pause Can Turn Into a 5-Year Delay

Waiting for the perfect San Diego housing market may cost you more than moving forward with a plan.

Almost every week, I talk with San Diego buyers and homeowners who say, “We’re going to wait another six months and see what happens.”

That sounds reasonable. Sometimes waiting is the right move.

But here’s what I’ve seen after helping more than 1,000 San Diego clients buy and sell homes: a six-month pause often turns into one year, then three years, then five years.

The issue usually isn’t the market. It’s that people wait for everything to line up perfectly — lower mortgage rates, lower prices, more inventory, less competition, better timing, fewer life complications.

The problem is that perfect conditions rarely arrive all at once.

The Real Risk of Waiting

Waiting can feel safe, but it can also delay equity, lifestyle, retirement, downsizing, investing, or getting into the home you actually want.

For San Diego Buyers

If you’re waiting for mortgage rates to drop, remember this: when rates improve, more buyers usually come back into the market.

That can mean more competition, fewer seller credits, fewer price reductions, and less negotiating power.

Today, some buyers still have opportunities to negotiate price, closing costs, repairs, rate buydowns, and even find homes with 2–3% assumable mortgages.

For San Diego Homeowners

If you own a home, waiting can mean leaving equity locked up in a property that may no longer fit your life.

That equity may be able to help you buy your next home, downsize, move closer to where you want to be, create rental income, or compare a full market sale with a cash offer.

You do not have to list your home to find out what buyers may pay for it.

Free 10-Minute Information Call

No pressure. No obligation. Just a quick conversation about your options.

  • Should you buy now or wait?
  • What will buyers pay for your home?
  • How current inventory affects your options
  • How mortgage rates affect your payment
  • Cash Offer vs. MLS sale
  • Buy Before You Sell options
  • Homes with 2–3% assumable mortgages

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Before You Wait Another Six Months...

Get the numbers. You may have more options than you think.

Get Home Value / Buyer Offer Search Homes

The best decision may be to move now. It may be to wait. But either way, you should know your numbers before another six months turns into another five years.

If you want a straight answer, call or text me at 619-846-1244.


George Lorimer
Call/Text: 619-846-1244
GeorgeLorimer.com
ProWest Properties
DRE# 01146839
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