The other day, our preferred lender Jacob Washburn from Cornerstone Lending shared a few charts with me. I’ve seen a lot of real estate data over the years — but sometimes it’s helpful to stop, zoom out, and really look at the full picture.
What struck me wasn’t anything flashy or complicated. It was simple, consistent, and honestly — kind of reassuring.
For decades, real estate values have followed a pretty familiar pattern: there are cycles, ups and downs, periods of growth, and occasional pullbacks. But when you step back far enough, the long-term trend is hard to ignore — real estate values generally rise. Even through recessions, wars, financial crises, and everything in between, real estate has proven to be one of the steadiest long-term investments you can make.
Take a look at some of the data Jacob shared (courtesy of Case-Shiller)
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- Over 80+ years, home values have appreciated in nearly every 10-year window.
- Even after major economic downturns, values recovered —often stronger than before.
- The rare periods of negative growth tend to be short-lived.
- More often than not, real estate quietly builds wealth for those willing to hold steady.
Real estate is cyclical by nature. But what we sometimes forget is that there are only a handful of windows where buyers can truly negotiate from a position of strength — when uncertainty creates hesitation in the market. Ironically, these are often some of the best times to act.
Yes — the economic headlines today are noisy. Interest rates are up, inflation is in the news, and post election year nerves are real. But when I look at these long-term charts, I’m reminded why I feel comfortable continuing to invest in real estate — personally and professionally. Because real estate isn’t just about timing the perfect moment. It’s about getting in, holding steady, and letting time do the heavy lifting.
For those considering a home at The Uplands 55+ or the Mountain Home Collection at Tumble Creek, this data only reinforces what we already know: high-quality real estate in desirable, lifestyle-driven communities continues to hold its value — and often outperforms the broader market over time.
The real question many of us should be asking isn’t "Is now the right time to buy?" but rather:
"What opportunities are we missing by sitting on the sidelines?"
Now may be an excellent time to explore available inventory and take advantage of this window of opportunity. To see our available homes and find out more, visit our Uplands 55+ and Mountain Home Collection community pages here.
