Situation in US + home buying decision

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else holding off on a home purchase because of the current political situation? I feel like the U.S. is in pretty serious trouble, and I worry that we may not be able to come back from this. As much as I love my country and this is home, investing $1m plus into a house right now just don’t feel wise. If this situation continues, we may look to move overseas. Or, the housing market will likely decline (it’s been well studied that authoritarian regimes lead to worse economies, etc.) and then it will be a much better time to buy. Either way, buying now doesn’t seem to make financial sense.

I don’t want to make this a political discussion, I am really focused on the real estate buying decision. Just curious if others are holding off buying/upsizing/etc. because of current events. Or, are those with similar concerns about the state of things moving ahead regardless?

[Anonymous]

I often feel the same way, but I should point out that "worse economy" does not automatically mean cheaper homes. Or maybe homes get cheaper but banks will no longer make mortgage loans so you can't afford them anyway because you have to pay in cash.

Historically, real property is one of the very few purchases that holds value. Especially if you can live in it.

Not saying this means you should buy a house, but I don't think the current situation means you shouldn't buy a home. Also, if you don't buy a home, what will you do with the money. If it will sit as liquid cash in a checking or savings account, that will keep you mobile but you will forgo all investment opportunities. On the other hand, if you invest it in something other than property, and your concern is economic issues, there's risk in that too.

If you are going to think this way, be pragmatic, logical, and even handed. Don't just get paralyzed with generalized anxiety. Buying a home is often a stressful activity, so it's an easy thing to fixate on if you are feeling more anxious generally. But don't let anxiety rule your decision making.

[Anonymous]

No, of course not. Turn off the TV and your out of whack algorithm and just live normally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, of course not. Turn off the TV and just live normally.

+1

[Anonymous]

You missed the boat OP. You should have bought during Trump 45. Making money hand over fist since then.

[Anonymous]

No but we will have a major real estate crash in 20-30 years due to declining population trends unless we augment with high skill / high wage immigration.

[Anonymous]

I want to upgrade but am hesitant to do so because I worry about the economy. If it all goes to s**t I can sit in my nearly paid for house and ride it out with my savings, but a new house and mortgage might put me on shaky footing.

[Anonymous]

Buy when you feel comfortable. It's a very big commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else holding off on a home purchase because of the current political situation? I feel like the U.S. is in pretty serious trouble, and I worry that we may not be able to come back from this. As much as I love my country and this is home, investing $1m plus into a house right now just don’t feel wise. If this situation continues, we may look to move overseas. Or, the housing market will likely decline (it’s been well studied that authoritarian regimes lead to worse economies, etc.) and then it will be a much better time to buy. Either way, buying now doesn’t seem to make financial sense.

I don’t want to make this a political discussion, I am really focused on the real estate buying decision. Just curious if others are holding off buying/upsizing/etc. because of current events. Or, are those with similar concerns about the state of things moving ahead regardless?

No, it's the same everywhere.

But you should consider leaving now while you are still financially able.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, of course not. Turn off the TV and your out of whack algorithm and just live normally.

Yess. the algorithms on social media are designed to keep people addicted, and this feeds anxious people the content that only elevates their anxiety. If you are worried about something and want to see content about it you will be shown this content all the time and not much else, which will warp your view of the world making you believe nothing else is happening but everyone being concerned about the same thing as you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No but we will have a major real estate crash in 20-30 years due to declining population trends unless we augment with high skill / high wage immigration.

What would you do during these 20-30 years you could be living in your own house vs. renting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No but we will have a major real estate crash in 20-30 years due to declining population trends unless we augment with high skill / high wage immigration.

Exactly what some fat cat rich billionaire wall street person would say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else holding off on a home purchase because of the current political situation? I feel like the U.S. is in pretty serious trouble, and I worry that we may not be able to come back from this. As much as I love my country and this is home, investing $1m plus into a house right now just don’t feel wise. If this situation continues, we may look to move overseas. Or, the housing market will likely decline (it’s been well studied that authoritarian regimes lead to worse economies, etc.) and then it will be a much better time to buy. Either way, buying now doesn’t seem to make financial sense.

I don’t want to make this a political discussion, I am really focused on the real estate buying decision. Just curious if others are holding off buying/upsizing/etc. because of current events. Or, are those with similar concerns about the state of things moving ahead regardless?

If you even have an ability to move overseas, you know, this eliminates a lot of people from being able to relate to you. The opinions of a person who has ability to get foreign citizenship and the one who doesn't (or doesn't have funds to get golden visas) are going to be different.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. We have been ready to pull the trigger since summer ‘24 but waited for election results. Then things started getting even crazier than his first term so we watched the ‘25 spring/summer market come and go. It’s insanely frustrating but between worrying about jobs and worrying about the real estate market it does seem insane to invest $1–2M in DC right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No but we will have a major real estate crash in 20-30 years due to declining population trends unless we augment with high skill / high wage immigration.

No. We need low skilled immigrant labor to do the work Americans do not want to do.