With interest rates and inflation both on the rise, the US housing market has recently taken a hit. In fact, the cost of buying a home jumped more than 20% this April compared to the same month in 2021.
It’s no secret that in recent yes, the real estate market has become increasingly more unstable than it usually is. Home prices have fluctuated wildly, and there have been a number of high-profile housing bubbles that have eventually burst, causing economic damage.
As a result, many experts have begun to question whether the housing market is sustainable in its current form. Statistics show that housing prices have become increasingly unaffordable for many Americans, and it is unclear whether this trend can be reversed.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a real estate agent looking to help your clients understand these trends, here’s what to know about the sustainability of the current market.
The Current State of the Housing Market in 2022
First and foremost, let’s talk about interest rates. Unfortunately, the Fed has announced that there will be another interest rate boost to come. Higher mortgage rates are obviously unsustainable for most Americans as inflation continues to rise. But how high is high?
According to Nadia Evangelou of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), rates should average around 5.7% by late 2022.
These higher mortgage rates along with low supply and high demand are continuing to put pressure on the current summer housing market. In fact, monthly payments for the average home now are up $600 since the start of the year.
In summary, the housing market is nowhere near what it was at its peak in 2006. In fact, if you’re looking to buy a home, now might be unfortunately the best time before prices get even more difficult to justify.
Housing Marketing Predictions for 2023
What about housing market predictions and home prices for 2023? Looking ahead, we can currently expect interest rates to continue to rise.
However, experts don’t expect that interest rates will make as big of a jump as they have in the past year. As mentioned above, most real estate agents and those in the industry believe that mortgage rates will level off at about 6%.
Expect the market to cool off a bit in the following year, too. The reason? Homebuyers are getting priced out and simply can’t afford to purchase the homes they previously wanted. However, overall, experts expect the increase in home prices to level off as well.
In fact, in the same excerpt above from Nadia Evangelou of the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers earning $75,000 can afford 25,000 fewer listings than they could have back in January of 2022.
What this also does is increase the number of homes available on the market. This is particularly true for more expensive homes with a value of over $200,000. Expect more luxury homes to sit on the market in 2023.
What Real Estate First-Timers Should Always Keep in Mind
For first-time home buyers, the process of purchasing a house can be both exciting and daunting. There are a number of important factors to consider, from budget and location to schools and amenities.
It’s important to take your time and do your research to find the right property for you and your family. With the current housing market in the shape that it’s in, this has never been more true.
Here are a few things first-time home buyers should keep in mind:
- Work with an experienced real estate agent who can help you navigate the process and understand your options.
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for homes. This will give you an idea of what you can afford and help to narrow your search.
- Be prepared to make a decision quickly if you find the right property. The housing market is competitive, and you don’t want to miss out on your dream home.
Follow those tips when you’re getting started. But keep an eye out for changes in the market throughout 2023 and 2024. More on that below, so keep reading.
Is the Housing Market Sustainable?
We’ve gone over the current market conditions and the predictions for the following year. But will the housing market crash? Experts are expecting a correction, not a crash. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions relating to those changes.
Are Housing Prices Sustainable?
In most areas of the country, no, they’re not. This is especially true in states like California where housing prices have increased 21% in the last year.
While you might think this is simply a reflection of the market and changing times, that’s actually not quite true. The risk assessment in California, at least, is still at a “sustainable” level, but it’s still too high.
Currently, home prices in California are 5% to 9% too high. This means they’re about 9% overvalued compared to the economics of the state. While that’s somewhat sustainable still, there are currently only six states where housing prices are listed as actually sustainable:
- Alaska
- Louisiana
- Iowa
- Illinois
- West Virginia
- North Dakota
Additionally, many people are still dealing with job loss and inflation uncertainties, which could lead to fewer people buying or upgrading homes. With those factors combined, if prices continue to increase as they have, prices won’t be sustainable.
Is the Housing Market Boom Sustainable?
What about the boom itself? Is that sustainable? Nope.
CoreLogic, a leading housing data and analytics firm, forecasts that home price growth will slow in the coming year. This is due in part to the fact that there was already a shortage of homes before the COVID-19 crisis struck.
With more people than ever looking to buy a home, the housing market is simply not able to keep up with demand.
What does this mean for buyers? It could mean that prices continue to rise, making it even more difficult to afford a home. Or, it could mean that the market starts to cool off and homes become more affordable again.
Should You Buy a House Now or Wait Until 2024?
If you’re able to hold out for another two years then it could be with it. Zillow polled real estate experts and found that 26% of them think that first-time homebuyers should regain their pre-pandemic share of the market by 2024.
However, it’s not expected to get back to levels that Boomers or even Gen X have seen. In fact, the poll revealed that 18% don’t believe the share of first-time buyers will rise above 45% until after 2030.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer; it all depends on your individual circumstances.
If you’re already in a good financial position and you’re confident that you can afford a house, then there’s no reason to wait.
However, if you’re still working on your finances or you’re not sure about the housing market, it might be wise to wait until after 2023 at least. Whichever route you choose, make sure to do your research and speak to a financial advisor before making any decisions.
Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
Thinking of buying a house in the 2022 housing market after the predictions made above? Here’s what to know given the unsustainability of the current market.
Namely, you should be realistic about your budget. It is important to know how much you can realistically save for a down payment. Consider the cost of monthly mortgage payments.
Think about the rising costs of gas and other goods and factor that into your monthly budget. As most have seen, this might affect the type of mortgage you’re willing to take out as you’ll have less leftover each month for mortgage payments.
Likewise, it’s essential to get pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning the home-buying process. This will give you a better idea of what you can afford, and will also make you more attractive to sellers.
Finally, first-time home buyers should be prepared to compromise on their wish list. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to snag all of the items on your “dream home” wish list. However, if you’re willing to compromise, you’ll likely be able to find great deals as the market cools off a bit.
Keep an Eye on the Real Estate Market
Whether you’re interested in purchasing real estate as an investment or for your first home, our biggest suggestion right now is to keep an eye on the market and changing conditions.
All in all, experts predict that interest rates and home prices will start to level off soon. This means that you can rest (somewhat) assured that you won’t see a drastic increase in prices and rates like we have this past year.
Wait for things to cool off a bit if you’d like to be sure and continue to work on your credit score and down payment in the meantime. And, continue to follow market conditions.
To help you stay on top of changes in the housing market, we’ve curated a list of housing articles for you. Browse through our housing market articles to stay on top of the latest news and changes.
Source: Realtybiznews.com
