Every four years, like clockwork, the same question pops up: “Should I wait until after the election to jump into the real estate market?”
It's an interesting one because it assumes there’s some secret, historical data proving that a presidential election has a huge impact on real estate. Spoiler: It doesn’t. In fact, the effect is super minor, if at all. Sure, total sales might dip a little in November (we’re talking maybe 5-10%), but they bounce back quickly—sometimes with even higher prices than right before Election Day.
So, if there’s been no track record of a negative impact, then why the question at all?
We live in a world where information is swirling around us nonstop. And it’s not always crystal clear. Most people (up to 80%, according to StudyFinds.org!) don’t have a go-to Realtor they can trust, which makes it hard to sift through all that noise to find reliable, actionable advice on the market. It’s like trying to decode your phone bill in another language—confusing and stressful.
Then, there’s the uncertainty. Some people are still feeling that post-2020 election whiplash and are nervous that history might repeat itself. And we all know, markets don’t love uncertainty. Big decisions like buying or selling a home feel a bit riskier when things feel unpredictable.
But here’s the truth: For most of us, there’s no real reason to let an election change your plans. Unless your job or income is directly tied to who’s in office—like if you work for a federal agency—there’s no reason to hit pause on your real estate goals. The reality is, for the majority of Americans, an election won’t have any direct impact on your income or your ability to buy or sell a home.
So, you’ve got PHG's permission to keep moving forward. Let the nonsense keep swirling around you, and make your move with confidence.
