Published May 31, 2025

Barbara Corcoran Thinks You Should Buy a Home Now—Here’s Why By Realtor.com

Written by Eli Torres

Barbara Corcoran Thinks You Should Buy a Home Now—Here’s Why By Realtor.com header image.

Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty Images

Mortgage rates are high and holding steady. Home prices are still up. And the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee (FOMC) just announced it's not lowering the federal funds rate.

But Barbara Corcoran told Realtor.com® she thinks it's still a great time to buy a home.

"When things are uncertain, buyers hesitate before committing to a new home—they might be worried about the stock market, politics, or interest rates, but when they worry, they hesitate to move," says Corcoran. "That makes uncertain markets the best time to buy!"

Corcoran, who is gearing up for the Season 16 finale of ABC's Shark Tank, doesn't go so far as to call this moment a buyer's market, saying "the market has proven too resilient" for that.

But she does have thoughts as to why people might miss out if they stay on the sidelines.

The upside to uncertain markets

Although home listing prices are still elevated nationwide, the April 2025 Housing Report from the Realtor.com economics team found that the number of homes on the market was up 30.6% year over year. This is the highest it's been post-pandemic, meaning there's once again a larger supply of homes for sale from which people can choose.

However, as a result of economic uncertainty, pending home sales are down 3.2% from last year.

But one person's hesitation becomes a prepared buyer's windfall.

"It’s when I always buy real estate," says Corcoran, referring to uncertain markets. "There’s less competition, and the seller is more likely to reconsider your offer they turned away yesterday. Shopping for a good deal is easier."

Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale agrees with Corcoran on that point, stating that the rising number of homes on the market is requiring sellers to become more flexible on pricing, often pushing them to consider price reductions as well.

Why paying full price is OK

Even though sellers may be more open to price adjustments right now, Corcoran says that doesn't mean you're losing the game if you just pay what's asked.

"I’ve overpaid for almost every piece of property I’ve bought," Corcoran told Realtor.com. "If I like it, I buy it, and I don’t live to regret it!"

The reality, however, is that there is also still a lot of competition in the current real estate market, even with higher home prices and mortgage rates fluctuating between 6% and 7 % all year.

"The way I figure it, is if I fall in love with a property and what it has to offer, I assume there are three other people who want to outbid me, so I close the deal and move as fast as I can," says Corcoran. "Don’t be afraid to overpay. It will look like a good deal as the years go by."

Spotting the signs that the time to buy is now

What are the "tells" that this is actually a good time to go ahead and seal the deal? Corcoran cites a few signs that always prompt her to make a move.

To begin with, although Corcoran says you shouldn't be afraid to overpay, if you can get the home below market value, then the impetus to buy right now should be even higher.

"Anything bought below market will prove a good investment, and you’ll make money on it when you sell it later," says Corcoran.

Another sign of an opportune moment to get into the real estate market is when sellers actually return to the table.

"I’m happy to report that sellers who turned me away four months ago are calling me back," says Corcoran.

Finally, the last clue just seems to be pure savvy business instinct.

"When the market is uncertain, as it is now, I realize that’s a signal that I should be out there buying property, and that’s exactly what I do," says Corcoran. "In the spooky economic and political market we’re experiencing, there are great deals to be had—you just have to get off your butt and make an offer!"

Corcoran stars in the Season 16 finale of ABC's Shark Tank, which airs on Friday, May 16 at 8/7c p.m. and streams the next day on Hulu.

"Call Eli Torres at (832) 430-2107, for your home buying and selling needs."

Source: www.realtor.com