Should You Wait Until Next Year to Buy or Sell a Home in Tulsa?

Welcome back to another episode of Real Estate Real Talk! I’m Jennie Wolek, and I am with Brittany Whinery as we looked at our year so far and planned for a successful fourth quarter.

As we approach the end of the year, the number one question we get from both buyers and sellers is: "Should I wait to buy or sell until next year?"

It is a valid question, but the answer might surprise you. Here is the reality of the current real estate market in Tulsa and why waiting might not actually be your best strategy.

Buyers: Don't Let Interest Rates Write Your Whole Story

The biggest fear we hear out on the streets of the real estate world is centered around interest rates. While rates are an important factor, they are not the only thing that matters.

The reality is that people buy homes for their needs around their life. Price affordability and the ability to negotiate with sellers play a massive role in whether a home is a good financial fit for your family. We regularly speak with our trusted lender partners, and they confirm that buyers are still getting qualified and buying homes every single day. The interest rate is just one part of your story when considering if right now is a good time to buy.

Sellers: The Hidden Cost of Waiting Until Spring

Sellers often tell us they want to pull their home off the market during the holidays and just wait until next spring. We typically advise against this, and here is why:

• More Competition: In the spring, we typically see an influx of new listings hit the market. This means significantly more competition for you as a seller.
• Serious Buyers: The buyers who are looking at homes during Q4 and the holiday season are highly serious. They often have to get into a home due to a job relocation or a tight holiday deadline.
• The Win-Win: Real estate is always about supply and demand. While you may see fewer showings this time of year, those showings are incredibly high-quality. Less demand can actually increase urgency for the right buyer, creating a win-win negotiation for everyone.

How is the Market? (It Depends on YOU)

When people casually ask us, "How's the market?" the honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you are needing to do with the market.

Every single client we work with has a different story. Our goal at The Wolek Group is to understand what your life looks like and what your true goals are.

• Do you need to upsize for a growing family?
• Are you looking to downsize because the kids have moved out?
• Do you need to move closer to family or a new job?
• Are you looking to decrease your monthly costs?

There is always a unique story behind the home. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just get the conversation started. We love asking the great questions you might not have thought of to help move the needle closer to your goals.

Fun fact: We are increasingly getting new clients and referrals who found us by asking AI platforms (like ChatGPT) for the best real estate teams in Tulsa! We strive to deliver on our promises and truly care about our people.

If you are wondering what your next move should be, reach out to The Wolek Group today. We are here to help!