What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market
Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power. Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going all the way back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you. A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time the market saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since, mainly because inventory is still so low overall. Even in markets where the number of homes for sale has started to rise this year, inventory is still far below the oversupply of homes that led up to the housing crash. In fact, according to data from Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), in four of the last six recessions, home prices actually went up (see graph below): So, don’t assume a recession will lead to a significant drop in home values. The data simply doesn’t support that idea. Instead, home prices usually follow whatever trajectory they’re already on. And right now, nationally, home prices are still rising, just at a more normal pace. Mortgage Rates Typically Decline During Recessions While home prices tend to stay on their current path, mortgage rates usually drop during economic slowdowns. Again, looking at data from the last six recessions, mortgage rates fell each time (see graph below): So, a recession means rates could decline. And while that would help with your buying power, don’t expect the return of a 3% rate. Bottom […]
Paused Your Moving Plans? Here’s Why It’s Time To Hit Play Again
It’s not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren’t great. Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you’re not sure where you’re going to go? But here’s the thing: the market’s shifting. And it might be time to hit play again. The Inventory Sweet Spot More homeowners are jumping back into their search to make a move this year. Builders are finishing more homes. And together, that’s creating more options for you when you move – maybe even the home you’ve been waiting for. More homes = more possibilities. But there’s more to it than that. When you sell, you don’t want to feel like it’s impossible to find your next home. At the same time, you also don’t want inventory to be so high, it takes ages for your house to sell. Right now, you’ll get the best of both worlds. This data will help paint the picture for you. According to Realtor.com, inventory has jumped 28.5% since this time last year, but it’s still below pre-pandemic levels in most markets – and here’s why this is such a sweet spot (see graph below): Basically, there are more homes to choose from when you make your move, but not so many that you’ll struggle to sell your current house. Your home should sell quickly if you work with an agent to make sure it’s priced right and prepped to impress. More options. Less chaos. Solid demand: That’s the real sweet spot. But here’s something else to consider. Data from Realtor.com also […]
Your Home Equity Could Make Moving Possible
Some Highlights Thanks to recent home price appreciation, homeowners have near record amounts of equity – and you may too. On average, homeowners have $311K worth of equity.Once you sell, you can use it to fund your down payment on your next home or maybe even to buy a smaller house in cash. If you want to find out how much equity you have, connect with an agent. Because it may make a move a lot more feasible than you’d think.