Is Now a Good Time to Buy? Here’s the Better Question to Ask

One of the questions I hear all the time is:

“Tori, is now a good time to buy?”

And honestly? I get it.

It feels like the question you’re supposed to ask. Rates are moving. Prices feel confusing. Inventory looks different depending on the neighbourhood. One person says to wait. Another says to jump in before things change again.

It’s a lot.

But here’s the thing I want you to know: “Is now a good time to buy?” is not always the most helpful question.

Because the market is never perfectly clear. There will always be a headline, a rate announcement, a price shift, a friend with an opinion, or a reason to second-guess yourself.

A better question is:

“Is this a property I would still feel good owning if the market changed?”

That question gives us something much more useful to work with.

It takes the focus off trying to predict the future and puts it back where it belongs: on your numbers, your lifestyle, your goals, and the actual property in front of you.

The goal is not perfect timing

I know everyone wants to buy at the “right” time.

Of course you do. This is a huge decision. You want to feel confident. You want to make a smart move. You want to know you’re not walking into something you’ll regret six months from now.

But the truth is, no one gets a perfect crystal ball.

What we can do is build a plan that makes sense in real life.

That means looking at the full picture, not just the rate, not just the purchase price, and definitely not just whether the internet says it’s a buyer’s market or seller’s market this week.

Because two buyers can purchase in the same market, with similar financing, and have completely different outcomes a few years later.

The difference usually isn’t timing.

It’s the property, the plan, and whether the numbers were built to hold up.

Price does not tell the whole story

This is where buyers can get caught.

A lower price feels like a win. A price drop feels like opportunity. A listing that has been sitting for a while can feel like you’re getting ahead.

Sometimes that’s true.

But sometimes a lower price is lower for a reason.

Maybe the resale demand is weaker. Maybe the layout is awkward. Maybe the area has fewer long-term buyers. Maybe the strata is underfunded. Maybe the home works for your life today, but gives you very little flexibility if things change.

That does not mean every “deal” is bad.

It means we need to look deeper.

A good purchase is not just about getting the lowest price. It’s about buying something that still makes sense when life happens.

And life will happen.

Your income may change. Your family may grow. You may need more space. You may want to rent it out one day. You may need to sell sooner than expected. Your renewal payment may look different than your first term.

This is why we do the math before you fall in love with the kitchen.

The four things I want buyers to think about

When I’m helping clients look at a purchase, I want to know if the home holds up in four key areas:

1. Liquidity

In simple terms: how easy would this property be to sell if you needed to?

Some homes have a wider buyer pool than others. A well-located townhome, a functional family home, or a condo in an area with strong demand may be easier to move than something very niche.

You do not need to buy the most “generic” property on earth, but you do want to understand resale.

Because if life changes, options matter.

2. Flexibility

Does this home give you room to grow, pivot, or adjust?

Could it work if you had a baby? If you started working from home? If a parent moved in? If you needed a roommate? If you wanted to keep it as a rental later?

The more flexible a property is, the more breathing room it gives you.

And I love breathing room.

3. Demand

Will other people want this property later?

This is not about chasing trends. It’s about understanding what buyers consistently value: location, layout, parking, outdoor space, schools, commute, storage, rental rules, and overall livability.

You may be buying it for yourself, but one day someone else may need to see the value too.

4. Carry cost

Can you comfortably hold this property?

Not just qualify for it.

Hold it.

That means mortgage payment, property taxes, strata fees, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, and still having money left for the life you actually want to live.

Because being house poor is not the goal.

I want you in a home that supports your life, not one that quietly takes over your entire budget.

“Can I qualify?” is not the same as “Is this wise?”

This is one of the biggest conversations I have with clients.

Just because a lender says yes does not automatically mean the purchase fits your life.

A mortgage approval tells us what is technically possible.

A mortgage strategy tells us what is actually aligned.

There’s a big difference.

This is where mentorship matters. My job is not just to get you approved and send you on your way. My job is to help you understand what the approval means, where the pressure points are, and what your options look like before you make a decision.

Because I don’t want you signing papers while crossing your fingers.

I want you to understand the math.

Waiting is not always safer

Sometimes waiting is the right move.

If your income is unstable, your down payment needs more time, your debt needs a plan, or you simply do not feel ready, then the answer might be “not yet.”

And that is okay.

But waiting without a strategy is not automatically safer.

If you’re waiting because you assume the market will become easier, rates will drop, or the perfect home will appear at the perfect price, that’s not a plan. That’s a hope.

And hope is not a mortgage strategy.

A better approach is to review your numbers now so you can understand:

• What you can afford today
• What would need to change for your budget to improve
• How different rates impact your payment
• What purchase price feels comfortable, not just possible
• Which property types make sense for your goals
• Whether waiting actually helps you, or just keeps you stuck

Sometimes the answer is to buy now.

Sometimes the answer is to wait six months.

Sometimes the answer is to clean up one part of your financial picture and revisit.

But you deserve to know which one is true for you.

The real question: will this decision still feel good later?

Buying a home is emotional. It should be. This is where your life happens.

But it’s also financial, and we have to respect that part too.

So instead of asking, “Is now a good time to buy?” I want you to ask:

“Is this home aligned with the life I’m building?”

Can you afford it without losing every ounce of flexibility?

Does it give you options if life changes?

Would other buyers see value in it later?

Does the monthly payment still leave room for savings, travel, kids, business, retirement, emergencies, and the things that matter to you?

Does it move you forward without putting you in a position that feels too tight?

That’s the conversation worth having.

Before you go…

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that there isn’t one “right” mortgage strategy—there’s the strategy that’s right for you.

That’s why every conversation starts with understanding your goals before we ever talk about rates or products.

Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to help you navigate your next chapter with confidence.

Let’s do the math. 🏡