Buying Now vs. Waiting in Sonoma County: What a $750,000 Home Could Look Like in 2027

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s better to buy a home in Sonoma County now or wait, you’re not alone. Many buyers are watching mortgage rates closely, hoping that prices will come down or that rates will dip again.

But when you look at the numbers side by side, waiting even two years can make a big difference — both in your monthly payment and in the equity you could be building.

The Cost of Waiting: A Real Sonoma County Example

Let’s say you’re shopping for a $750,000 home in 2025, putting 10% down and locking in today’s 30-year fixed mortgage rate around 6.39%.

In 2025:

• 🏠 Home Price: $750,000

• 💵 Down Payment: $75,000 (10%)

• 📆 Monthly Payment (Principal + Interest): $4,217

• 📈 By 2027, Your Home’s Value (4% Annual Appreciation): $811,200

• 💰 Equity Built (Appreciation + Principal Paid): $152,113

If You Wait Until 2027:

• 🏠 Projected Home Price: $811,200

• 💵 Down Payment (10%): $81,120

• 📆 Monthly Payment (Same 6.39% Rate): $4,555

• 💸 Equity Built by 2027: $0

That’s a $337/month difference — and a $152K gap in equity in just two years.

What Does That $152,000 in Equity Really Mean?

Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe on it — and it’s one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to homeowners.

Here’s how that equity could work for you:

• Upgrade Sooner: Use your built-up equity to purchase your next home with a larger down payment.

• Renovate or Improve: Reinvest through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to add value and enjoy your space more.

• Build Long-Term Wealth: Homeownership acts as a forced savings plan. Each payment increases your ownership stake while property values rise.

In Sonoma County, where homes have historically appreciated faster than the national average, that growth compounds over time.

"But What If Prices Drop?”

This is one of the most common questions we hear from first-time buyers in Sonoma County — and it’s a fair one.

While short-term fluctuations happen, long-term trends tell a different story.
According to Bay Area data, home prices have increased an average of 4% annually since 2000, and over 7% per year in the past decade.

Even during slower market cycles, Sonoma County’s limited housing inventory and high demand tend to stabilize prices. That means the longer you rent or wait, the more you’ll likely pay for the same home.

Real Talk: Your First Home Doesn’t Have to Be Your Forever Home

Many of our clients worry about finding “the perfect home.”
But here’s the truth — your first home is often just the beginning.

It’s not about finding your forever home; it’s about getting your foot in the door so appreciation and equity can start working for you, not against you.

As local agents and moms who’ve lived and worked in Sonoma County for decades, we’ve seen how buying your first home — even a small condo or townhome — opens doors for future opportunities.

🧭 Ready to Start?

If you’re curious what’s possible for your budget, we’d love to help.
We’ll walk you through what to expect, connect you with trusted local lenders, and help you create a strategy to start building equity now.

➡️ Comment “START” or reach out to get our Buyer Roadmap and Home Budget Calculator — two free tools we share to help Sonoma County buyers get started confidently.

We’re realtors, moms, locals, and dog lovers serving Sonoma County and Marin County, and we love sharing everything about where we live and the neighborhoods we explore.
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