June 2025: The Truth About Real Estate Market Cycles (And Why Waiting Almost Always Costs You More)

by Jonathan Bombaci

Everyone wants to time the market. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: you can’t.

Yes, real estate moves in cycles—prices go up, demand cools off, then it all comes back around again. But waiting for the “perfect time” to buy is almost always more expensive than just getting in, buying smart, and playing the long game.

As Albert Einstein supposedly said:
"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't, pays it."

The same could be said about real estate. Waiting costs you—not just in appreciation, but in missed cash flow, debt paydown, and equity growth. That’s the stuff real wealth is built on.

Yes, Real Estate Moves in Cycles. No, You Can’t Predict Them.

Let’s break it down without the economic jargon.

Recovery: This is the calm after the storm. Demand is low, but slowly growing. Smart investors start buying while everyone else is still nervous.
Expansion: Things heat up. Prices rise, demand spikes, competition gets fierce. Feels like you missed the boat, but there are still great deals—especially if you’re thinking long term.
Hyper-Supply: Too much inventory hits the market. Prices may level off. Builders overbuild. Emotions cool. Still a fine time to buy, just make sure the numbers work.
Recession: Prices drop, sales slow, confidence disappears. This is when the best long-term deals are made. But it takes guts—and patience.

You know what all four phases have in common? People still buy and sell homes in every single one. The key is not guessing where we are. The key is buying right when you find something that fits your plan.

Where Are We Now in 2025?

Here’s what we’re seeing on the ground across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine:

Inventory is tight. Builders haven’t caught up, and homeowners with low interest rates aren’t rushing to sell. This keeps supply low and prices firm.
Demand is still strong. Interest rates are up, but so are wages in many industries. People are still buying—especially first-time homebuyers and househackers.
Prices haven’t crashed. In fact, in places like Worcester, Lowell, and Manchester, prices are still inching up. Some areas have cooled slightly, but not enough to create a “wait for the crash” moment. That ship’s not coming.
What does it mean? It means it’s still a good time to buy—as long as the deal makes sense. If the numbers work today, don’t let headlines scare you off. In 10 years, today’s price will probably look like a bargain.

Why Waiting Almost Always Loses

Waiting to buy real estate because you “think prices might drop” is like staying single because you’re waiting for the perfect relationship. You end up sitting on the sidelines while everyone else builds equity.

We’ve seen it over and over again:

Clients who bought in 2020 and are up six figures today
Investors who hesitated in 2021 and are still waiting to “time the market”
First-time buyers in 2018 who now have enough equity to buy a second property

Could the market dip? Sure. It might. But here’s the thing—real estate is forgiving when you hold for the long haul. What feels like an overpay today could be a windfall five years from now.

Candor’s Approach: Buy Smart. Hold Long. Ignore the Noise.

At Candor, we help buyers and investors make decisions based on strategy, not speculation.

We’re not trying to call the top or bottom of the market. We’re helping people:

Househack their first multi-family
Build long-term wealth through small multi-family
Buy flips that actually make money after the dust settles
Create generational equity without betting the farm

We analyze every deal with a long-term lens. And if it doesn’t pencil today, we don’t force it. But if it does? We move. Because wealth doesn’t wait.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to guess the market to win in real estate. You need to get in, stay in, and make smart plays along the way.

If you want help running the numbers, reviewing a deal, or figuring out your first move, we’re here for it.

Click here to request your free strategy session.

We’ll look at your market, your goals, and your timeline—and give you honest advice you can act on.

Happy investing!