The New York housing market can be tough. News 12’s Kristie Reeter has The Real Deal on whether now is the right time to buy or sell.

News 12’s partners at Investopedia are getting you up to speed on home prices in the top counties.

“New York has among the highest 30-year fixed mortgage rates out there in the country, about 7.4%. That number is about 1% higher than the national average and we still have a very tight inventory so prices have been rising. When we look at Nassau County, prices are up 3.2%, NYC is up about 2.6%, Westchester close to 2%, and Suffolk County about 1.4%," says Caleb Silver.

So do you buy or sell? News 12 checked with Mark Fisher, the Regional Vice President of UNMB Home Loans.

"A lot of people are on the sidelines now waiting for rates to go lower, but what they don't realize is when mortgage rates go lower, home prices usually go higher,” says Fisher.

Fisher says if you do buy now, you could always refinance.

"The mortgage rate isn't a permanent thing you could always refinance and get a lower rate but the price you pay for the home, that’s permanent it's never going to change,” says Fisher.

Even with high rates, Fisher says there are ways to save and it’s all about knowing the market. This week is was the debt ceiling.

"I knew that would make the mortgage rates go lower and over the last three days we have seen an improvement, so all the people who were ready to lock, I held off and they are going to get a much better rate," says Fisher.