The 3 Real Estate Myths People Still Believe in 2026

By Jason Munoz

Jason is a dedicated real estate professional who guides buyers, sellers, and investors through every step of their journey with expertise and care.

Are real estate myths holding you back from buying or selling in 2026? If you’ve been waiting to save a huge down payment, hoping rates will drop, or avoiding winter moves, you might be following advice that no longer works. These common myths are stopping people in Lacey and across Western Washington from taking smart steps in today’s market.

Let’s break them down one by one.

Myth 1: You need 20% down to buy a home. A lot of people still believe they need to save 20% before they can buy a house. That’s just not true. In today’s market, there are loan programs that let you buy a home with as little as 3% down, and in some cases, even zero percent if you qualify. If you spend years saving up for 20%, home prices will likely keep rising, and you may end up paying even more. Getting in sooner with a smaller down payment could be the smarter move.

Myth 2: You should wait until interest rates drop. This one comes up all the time. People think they should hold off on buying until rates go down. But here’s the problem: when rates drop, more buyers rush in. That means more competition and higher home prices. Often, it’s better to buy now at a slightly higher rate and refinance later than to wait and battle higher prices and bidding wars.

Myth 3: Winter is a bad time to buy or sell. Lots of folks think spring or summer is the only time to move, but that’s not always true. Winter can be a great time to buy or sell a home. There are fewer buyers out looking, which means less competition for you. And the people who do list their homes during winter are usually serious about selling. That can make the process smoother and faster.

There’s no perfect time to move, but there is a smart time to plan. The truth is, the “perfect” time rarely exists. Waiting for ideal conditions can leave you stuck and watching opportunities pass by.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in 2026, now is the right time to get your facts straight and make a plan that works for your goals. Call or text me at (360) 868-8648 or email Jason@munozhomegroup.com, and let’s talk about your next move in today’s market.