If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably want to know what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply, and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today. Jay Thompson, Real Estate Industry Consultant, explains:
“Housing market headlines are everywhere. Many are quite sensational, ending with exclamation points or predicting impending doom for the industry. Clickbait, the sensationalizing of headlines and content, has been an issue since the dawn of the internet, and housing news is not immune to it.”
Unfortunately, when information in the media isn’t clear, it can generate a lot of fear and uncertainty in the market. As Jason Lewris, Cofounder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:
“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying or selling a home is a big decision, and it should be one you feel confident making. To help you separate fact from fiction and get the answers you need, lean on a local real estate advisor.
A trusted expert is your best resource to understand what’s happening at the national and local levels. They’ll be able to debunk the headlines using data you can trust. And using their in-depth knowledge of the industry, they’ll provide context so you know how current trends compare to the normal ebbs and flows in the industry, historical data and more.
Then, to make sure you have the full picture, they’ll tell you if your local area is following the national trend or if they’re seeing something different in your market. Together, you’ll use all of that information to make the best possible decision for you.
After all, making a move is a potentially life-changing milestone. It should be something you feel ready for and excited about. And that’s where an agent comes in.
Bottom Line
If you have questions about the headlines or what’s happening in the housing market today, let’s connect so you have expert insights and advice on your side.
Are you prepping to buy your first home? If so, one of the steps you should take early on is making sure you’re financially ready for your purchase. Here are just a few of the financial fundamentals you’ll need to focus on as you set out to buy a home.
Build Your Credit
Your credit is one element that helps determine which home loan you’ll qualify for. It also impacts your mortgage interest rate. While there are many factors that go into your mortgage application, a higher credit score could lead to a lower monthly payment in the long run.
So how do you make sure your credit is in the best shape possible when it’s time to buy? A recent article from NerdWallet lists a few tips you can use as you work to build and strengthen your credit. They include:
Tracking your credit and disputing any errors that show up on your reports.
Paying your bills on time. This includes making loan payments and paying down any open lines of credit.
Keeping your credit card balances low. Paying more than your minimum monthly balance when you’re able can help.
Automate Your Savings for Your House Fund
You might also be wondering how you can achieve your down payment savings goals. Bankrate provides buyers with a number of tips to help you save, including searching for down payment assistance programs and ways you can save more, faster. As the article says:
“One of the best ways to save for anything — including a down payment —is to set it and forget it. If you receive a regular paycheck, ask your employer to direct a portion of that payment into a savings account. If you’re a freelance worker or independent contractor, set up a recurring transfer from a checking account to a savings account to establish the routine.”
Get Pre-Approved
As you prepare for your purchase, you’ll also need to have a good grasp on your budget and how much you’ll be able to borrow for your home loan. That’s where the pre-approval process comes in.
Pre-approval from a lender lets you know how much money you can borrow for your home loan. And having that knowledge, plus an understanding of your savings, can help you decide on your target price range for a house.
From there, you can start browsing for houses online and see what’s available in your area in that general price point. This can help you really understand your options so you can start to picture your future home.
For Customized Advice, Build a Team of Professionals
Finally, the best way to make you’re prepared for your purchase is to connect with trusted real estate professionals. Having expert advisors in the industry will help you make strong decisions throughout the homebuying process based on your specific goals, finances, and situation. They know the market and can guide you toward the home of your dreams.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to get the homebuying process started, connect with CA Real Estate Group to begin building your team of professionals today.
Homes Priced Correctly Sell Faster
Listing your property with a real estate professional will save you time, money and frustration. As you discuss the asking price, be aware of these common pitfalls.
Overpricing
By following recent home sales in your area, you can avoid unrealistic expectations stemming from runaway price growth over the past few years. Each day an overpriced house sits on the market is another day the sellers miss the opportunity to attract the right buyers. Price your property close to what you’d actually accept.
Underpricing
On the other hand, some sellers underprice their homes in hopes of starting a bidding war or making a quick sale. When your listing price is too low, you risk turning off prospective buyers who might suspect there’s something wrong with the house. You could also be leaving money on the table when would-be buyers present a lowball offer on your underpriced property.
Glossing Over the Comps
Your agent will find the best comparable sales of homes similar to yours in features, location and size. Their comparative market analysis can help you nail the asking price. You may not agree with everything in the comps, but try to be open to the information presented.
Overvaluing Upgrades and Improvements
As frustrating as it is, you’re not likely to get back 100% of what you paid for upgrades to your property. Check the comps to see what impact various improvements have made on the selling price of other homes.
Emotional Attachment
Getting too emotional when selling your house can complicate what is essentially a business transaction. Try to think of your property as a large asset you can put toward the purchase of your new home.
Checklist for Choosing a Mortgage Lender
A mortgage is a financial commitment that can affect your lifestyle for many years. Take your time selecting a mortgage banker or lender that best fits your needs and financial situation.
Whether you work with a traditional bank, credit union or specialized lender, follow these tips to find your best match.
Don’t assume you’ll be eligible for the advertised lending rates. Get a personalized quote from each lender.
Find someone you connect with. It helps if you agree on the best mode of communication, whether that’s email, texts or phone calls.
Make sure the lender offers the specific services you need, such as pre-approval. Ask about prepayment penalties or online-payment fees.
Check reviews for feedback about customer service and ease of making monthly payments.
Contact each lender and review your questions. Follow your instincts about whether this is a company you can trust.
Texture Enhances All the Senses
Texture is trending in home decor. Your artful attention to the often-overlooked sense of touch can make a huge difference in your home’s first impression. This is especially important whether you’re hosting a party or staging your home for an open house.
Let your imagination run wild when creating a cozy, inviting home. Multi-textured surroundings can dramatically warm a room, making you and your guests want to linger longer.
Pillows and accessories are great, but don’t stop there. You can add dimension and interest in many other ways.
Enhance walls with brick or stone veneer, textured wallpaper or decorative wood trim and molding. Look for affordable solutions such as removable stick-on wood panels or peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Add a woven rug to define your floor space. Shag carpet is an option for the truly daring.
Make your staging pop with cane or rattan furniture, tufted sofas or boucle-upholstered chairs. Balance colors and textures with neutrals and smooth fabrics. Pair a fuzzy throw with a leather loveseat. Draw subtle attention to unexpected spots with a vase, basket or small lamp.
Security Systems Offer Financial Savings
A home security system can provide peace of mind for you and your family and may help you save money. Consider these three benefits, according to industry analysts.
Increase Your Property Value
Buyers want a safe place to live and will likely pay more for a secure home. Reinforced exterior doors, strong locks and outdoor motion sensors also enhance the appeal of your property.
Decrease Your Insurance Costs
Some insurance companies offer a discount of up to 20% off your monthly premium if you have a professionally monitored security system.
Prevent Costly Burglaries
The average loss due to a home break-in is close to $3,000.
Why You Need an Agent With New Construction
New construction can be a challenging situation in home buying. While you get to select your favorite colors and finishes, the path from slick brochure to move-in day can be tricky. Here are some ways an experienced real estate agent can smooth that path, according to Realtor.com®.
Most agents are familiar with the construction process and can negotiate extras.
Agents have long-term, solid relationships with trusted lenders. Include (but don’t limit yourself to) their recommended lenders in your comparison shopping. The same goes for the builder’s preferred lender.
A real estate professional can oversee home inspections, following up on any remaining punch list items.
Pro Tip: Ask your agent to join you on your first site visit so the builder is aware you won’t be using their representative.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in the Real Estate Market.
Real Estate News in Brief
The NAR’s Pending Sales Index for October fell 4.6% in a month and 37% compared to October 2021. Pending sales in the West region were down 46%. [Source: NAR] Keep in mind that 30-yr mortgage rates were >7% for the entire month of October. They’re now around 6.3%.
The Case-Shiller Home Price Index for September fell 1% in a month. From their peak in June, national home prices have slid ~2.5%, while prices in SFO & SEA are now down more than 10%. [Source: CoreLogic]
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that “the time for moderating the pace of rate increases may come as soon as the December meeting” during a speech at the Brookings Institution. In other words, no more +75 bps.
The day after Powell’s comments, the PCE inflation figure for October came in at an annualized rate of 6%, better (that is to say, lower) than expectations and a further deceleration from 6.3% in September and the peak of 7% in June. [Source: BEA]
Companies added only 127k jobs in November, vs. +239k in October. This was well below Street expectations. Job losses in manufacturing & biz services dragged the total lower. [Source: ADP]
The NAHB’s Chief Economist expects a mild recession from 4Q 2022–2Q 2023, but sees mortgage rates at or below 6% by end-2023/early 2024, either because the Fed has ‘beaten’ inflation, or because the recession turns out to be bigger than expected. [Source: NAHB]
Pending Sales for October
With 30-year mortgage rates above 7% for the entire month, we knew that October pending sales would be bad — and they were. The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) dropped 4.6% in a month. That’s the 5th-straight monthly decline in the PHSI. Compared to October 2021, the PHSI was down 37% YoY.
The contraction was significantly worse in the West, with October pending sales dropping 11% MoM and down 46.2% YoY. That’s right, pending sales nearly halved in the West.
Pending sales are a forward indicator of existing home sales (leading by 1–2 months). So prepare yourself for some nasty November and December existing home sales figures.
But there’s a silver lining: mortgage rates are already 90–100bps (a full percentage point) lower. As NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun wrote, “October was a difficult month for buyers as they faced 20-year-high mortgage rates…[but] The upcoming months should see a return of buyers as mortgage rates appear to have already peaked and have been coming down since mid-November.”
In fact, there are signs that a recovery in activity (thanks to lower rates) is already happening. The MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association) tracks new purchase loan applications on a weekly basis. This is the fourth week in a row that applications have risen week-on-week.
Case-Shiller for September
For the third consecutive month, home prices declined on a month-over-month basis. The national index was down 1.0% MoM, but the 20-city index was down 1.5% MoM. Don’t be fooled by the small numbers; these are big decreases. If this happened every month, prices would be down 12–18% in a year.
As in August, prices declined in each of the 20 big cities. However, for the cities experiencing the sharpest price drops (San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas etc.), the magnitude of price declines actually slowed a bit in September.
Source: S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index
NAHB Webinar
Here’s how the National Association of Homebuilders’ Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, sees things:
2020–2021: Unsustainable, above-trend growth in home sales
2022–2023: Compensating below-trend growth in home sales
2024+: A return to trend growth in home sales (with >1 million in new home sales annually)
He expects a mild recession for the next three quarters, unemployment rates rising to near 6% (from 3% today) in 2024 and national home prices falling ~10%. At the same time, his message was essentially optimistic — lower inflation, interest rates and home prices will bring buyers (and builders) back relatively quickly.
A few anecdotes I found interesting:
~50% of the webinar attendees (most of whom were builders) said that they were responding to slowing demand with either price cuts OR enhanced incentives
The construction industry needs ~750,000 new workers every year to keep pace with demand and replace retirees
Right now, two cities in Texas (Houston and Dallas) are adding more new homes than the entire state of California
Note: In any given year, existing home sales are 7–15 times higher than new home sales. This isn’t because builders are lazy. It’s because there are around 145 million existing housing units. Even if builders were able to construct 2 million homes a year (something they’ve never achieved before), that would only raise the total housing stock by 1.3%.
Mortgage Market
After months of extreme volatility, 30-yr mortgage rates had flatlined at 6.6% for several weeks. But with another good (well, improving) inflation figure, and Powell sounding a bit less hawkish, the bond market was in party mode yesterday, rising 70–80 basis points.
Higher mortgage bond prices = lower mortgage bond yields = lower mortgage rates. Yesterday, the 30-yr mortgage rates moved sharply lower to 6.3% — that’s a full percentage point lower than the peak of 7.37% on October 20!
They Said It
“When home prices decline, it’s pretty rare for there to not be a recession.” — NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz
“To anyone with a sense of history, the home boom must be a source of wonder. Housing usually leads the economy into a recession. Mortgage rates rise, then housing construction and home sales fall.” — Robert J. Samuelson in a 2002 Newsweek article
Inspiration
There are many different approaches to measure ‘affordability.’ But they all depend on three factors: 1) household income, 2) home prices, and 3) mortgage rates.
Right now, all three factors are moving in buyers’ favor:
Workers are getting paid more
Home prices are starting to slide
Mortgage rates have peaked
Plus, there are more homes available, and less competition than last year, and sellers are more willing to negotiate on things like repairs, covering some closing costs, paying for points etc.
The key is to stay in regular contact with CA Real Estate Group. Your agent will let you know about price cuts, point out stale listings, and will keep you informed about mortgage rates. Also, waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment could be counterproductive. When (if!) conditions look perfect, they’ll look perfect to everybody else too.
More people are upgrading their current property rather than moving. If you’re one of them and looking for guidance on resale value, project priorities and reputable professionals to work with to get it done, look no further! CA Real Estate Group is at your service!!
To keep the holiday dinner conversations peaceful, instead of talking politics and religion, talk about REAL ESTATE! Here are your talking points. (Although it could easily lead back to the aforementioned subjects so beware.)
October Existing Home Sales Plunge
Much higher mortgage rates have ensured that this will be the coldest 4Q in quite some time — at least as far as existing home sales go.
According to the NAR, October existing home sales fell 5.9% month-on-month (compared to September 2022) and plunged 28.4% year-on-year (compared to October 2021). This is the 9th-consecutive monthly drop. This is much more than just a seasonal slowdown.
Note: The 4.43 million figure you see in the chart below is a seasonally-adjusted, annualized figure. 4.43 million homes were not sold in October. Instead, it’s telling you that if the pace of sales seen in October (adjusted for seasonality) continued for the next 12 months, you’d sell 4.33 million homes. This figure is just 10% above the May 2020 low of 4.07 million.
Source: NAR
In addition, there continues to be a big difference from region to region. Things were much worse in the West, where existing home sales were down 38% YoY and there was a dramatic contraction (41%-45%) in the sale of higher-end homes. On the other hand, the Northeast is performing the best (smallest contraction of 23% YoY). Also note that the big decline in homes priced between $100–250K across the US is at least partially due to fewer homes listed within that price range thanks to rapid home price increases.
October 2022 Existing Single Family Homes Sold
By Region and Sales Price
Source: NAR
Mortgage Market
After the big decline two weeks ago, average 30-year mortgage rates have hovered around the 6.6% level. This means that monthly mortgage payments are $100–200/month lower than they would have been in mid-November when rates were at 7.25% (with no points purchased).
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✅ These loans offer great benefits for eligible individuals and can help them buy a VA-approved house or condo, build a new home, or make improvements to their house.
✅ Homeownership is the American Dream. One way we can honor and thank our veterans is to ensure they have the best information about the benefits of VA home loans.
While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home.
As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends that may benefit you when you go to buy a home today.
1. More Homes To Choose from
During the pandemic, housing supply hit a record low at the same time buyer demand skyrocketed. This combination made it difficult to find a home because there just weren’t enough to meet buyer demand. According to Calculated Risk, the supply of homes for sale increased by 39.5% for the week ending October 28 compared to the same week last year.
Even though it’s still a sellers’ market and supply is still lower than more normal levels, you have more to choose from in your home search. That makes finding your dream home a bit less difficult.
2. Bidding Wars Have Eased
One of the top stories in real estate over the past two years was the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But today, things are different. With more options, you’ll likely see less competition from other buyers looking for homes. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined. This September, the average was 2.5 offers per sale. In contrast, last September, the average was 3.7 offers per sale.
If you tried to buy a house over the past two years, you probably experienced the bidding war frenzy firsthand and may have been outbid on several homes along the way. Now you have a chance to jump back into the market and enjoy searching for a home with less competition.
3. More Negotiation Power
And when you have less competition, you also have more negotiating power as a buyer. Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal or inspection, to try to win a bidding war. But the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the percentage of buyers waiving those contingencies is going down.
As a buyer, this is good news. The appraisal and the inspection give you important information about the value and condition of the home you’re buying. And if something turns up in the inspection, you have more power today to renegotiate with the seller.
A survey from realtor.com confirms more sellers are accepting offers that include contingencies today. According to that report, 95% of sellers said buyers requested a home inspection, and 67% negotiated with buyers on repairs as a result of the inspection findings.
Bottom Line
While buyers still face challenges today, they’re not necessarily the same ones you may have been up against just a year or so ago. If you were outbid or had trouble finding a home in the past, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to start the homebuying process today.
While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.
You’re likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as you watch the cost of goods and services climb. The pinch it’s creating on your wallet and the looming economic uncertainty may leave you wondering: “should I still buy a home right now?” If that question is top of mind for you, here’s what you need to know.
Homeownership Is Historically a Great Hedge Against Inflation
In an inflationary economy, prices rise across the board. Historically, homeownership is a great hedge against those rising costs because you can lock in what’s likely your largest monthly payment (your mortgage) for the duration of your loan. That helps stabilize some of your monthly expenses. James Royal, Senior Wealth Management Reporter at Bankrate, explains:
“A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to maintain the biggest portion of housing expenses at the same payment. Sure, property taxes will rise and other expenses may creep up, but your monthly housing payment remains the same.”
And with rents being as high as they are, the ability to stabilize your monthly payments and protect yourself from future rent hikes may be even more important. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains what happened to rents in the latest inflation report:
“Inflation refuses to budge. In September, consumer prices rose by 8.2%. Rents rose by 7.2%, the highest pace in 40 years.”
When you rent, your monthly payment is determined by your lease, which typically renews on an annual basis. With inflation high, your landlord may be more likely to increase your payments to offset the impact of inflation. That may be part of the reason why a survey from realtor.com shows 72% of landlords said they plan to raise the rent on one or more of their properties in the next year.
Becoming a homeowner, if you’re ready and able to do so, can provide lasting stability and a reliable shelter in times of economic uncertainty.
Bottom Line
The best hedge against inflation is a fixed housing cost. If you’re ready to learn more and start your journey to homeownership, let’s connect.
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