Spooky Real Estate Myths Debunked

Buying or selling a home can feel like wandering through a haunted house of myths — especially during autumn, when the shadows are longer and imagination runs wild. But many of the fears that seem so ominous actually don’t hold up when we look at the real numbers. Let’s shine a flashlight on some of the most common home-buying and home-selling fears, and match them up with what the data actually shows.

Myth #1: “It’s a bad time to buy or sell.”

The Fear

You’ve heard it: “Wait until next year.” “The market’s fading.” “You’ll get a better deal if you stall.” These are the whispers that keep people from moving.

The Truth

There’s no single “perfect” time for everyone — but the fall can be a very good time. According to Coldwell Banker Hearthside’s September 2025 statistics, several local markets are showing year-over-year gains in both sales activity and selling prices. Coldwell Banker Hearthside

In Bucks County, PA: closed sales were up 4.8%, new listings rose 12.9%, and the median sold price jumped 6.3% to $510,000. Homes sold in a median of just 11 days. Coldwell Banker Hearthside
In Montgomery County, PA: closed sales rose 3.2%, new listings rose 4.4%, and the median sold price held firm at $433,750 — indicating a steady, resilient market rather than a collapse. Coldwell Banker Hearthside
In Philadelphia County, PA: closed sales up 7.0%, new listings up 6.1%, median sold price stable at $259,950 — so even areas with more inventory are maintaining healthy buyer interest. Coldwell Banker Hearthside

So if you’ve been waiting for “the perfect moment”, you might already be in it — or at least very close.

Myth #2: “The market is about to crash!”

The Fear

“Remember 2008,” they say. “It’s coming back.” The thought of a sudden collapse sends chills down many homeowners’ spines.

The Truth

The data does not support a looming crash in these local markets. Instead, what we see is a market that’s holding up with strength:

Across the region, the report says: “September 2025 reflected a resilient housing market, with many counties posting year-over-year increases in both prices and sales despite broader economic uncertainty.” Coldwell Banker Hearthside
For example, Chester County, PA saw closed sales up 6.1% and new listings up 19% compared to last year — median price at $548,900, up 3.6%. Homes averaged just 9 days on the market. Coldwell Banker Hearthside

What this suggests is less of a “bubble about to burst” and more of a market that remains tight in many places — especially since inventory (months of supply) in many counties remains low. Coldwell Banker Hearthside
So yes: there are more homes listing now (which is good for buyers), but that doesn’t automatically lead to crash conditions. Instead, it signals a slight shift toward greater balance.

Myth #3: “High interest rates make buying impossible.”

The Fear

“With rate-spikes,” the thinking goes, “you’ll never afford a house.” And so some prospective buyers freeze and wait… and wait.

The Truth

Interest rates are indeed higher than the historic lows we saw a few years ago. But “impossible” is too strong. Smart buyers and sellers collaborate with their real-estate professionals and lenders to find creative solutions. Here’s how the data helps:

The strong prices and fast time-on-market (for many counties) show that buyers are still active despite elevated rates. For example: in the Greater Lehigh Valley, PA the median sales price rose 2.5% year-over-year to $352,500, pending sales were up 7.1%, and the months’ supply stood at just 1.5 — showing a very competitive environment. Coldwell Banker Hearthside
That dynamic means, for many buyers, waiting for rates to drop could mean missing out on homes they could afford now. Also: there’s always the possibility to refinance in the future when rates fall again.

In short: while rates are a factor, they don’t automatically defeat a home-buying plan.

Local Intelligence Makes the Magic

Your fears won’t disappear with a wave of a wand — but they will fade with good data and an experienced guide. At Coldwell Banker Hearthside, we dive into the latest statistics and combine them with neighborhood-level insight so you’re not relying on spooky myths or internet headlines. We’re grounded in what’s happening in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, and beyond.

Bottom Line: Don’t let spooky real-estate myths chase you out of the home-market. With the right local data and the right guidance, you’re well-positioned this fall — not trapped in a scary scenario. The numbers are clear: activity is real, prices are holding, and opportunity is out there.