“Despite the facts, misleading headlines persist, and they impact how hopeful homebuyers perceive the market.”
Headlines matter. Right now, it’s hard to read about real estate without seeing a headline that suggests homes have become unaffordable for most Americans. In reality, there’s hard evidence that shows how owning a home is more affordable than renting in most parts of the country, as record-low interest rates are keeping monthly mortgage payments about 23% lower than the typical payment of 20 years ago. Despite the facts, misleading headlines persist, and they impact how hopeful homebuyers perceive the market.
In a recent survey by realtor.com, home shoppers indicated they were surprised by what they could actually afford when buying their first home. In fact, 47% discovered their budget was larger than they expected. George Ratiu, Senior Economist at realtor.com, explains:
“For first-time buyers, especially, the drop in the 30-year mortgage rate…has provided unexpected leverage. Lower rates allowed many buyers to stretch and buy more expensive homes while keeping their monthly budget the same.”
So why do these negative headlines that cast doubt on affordability continue to exist?
Most analysts only look at two of the three elements that make up the affordability equation: price and income. It’s true that incomes haven’t kept up with the price of houses. However, affordability is about the cost of the home, not just the price. For that reason, mortgage rates, the third element of the affordability equation, are important to consider.
For example, here’s the typical mortgage payment for assorted dates going back to 2000, as calculated by CoreLogic:
Outside of the housing crash (when short sales and foreclosures drove prices down), it’s more affordable to buy a home today when you consider all three elements of the affordability equation: price, income, and mortgage rate.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a move-up buyer, don’t let the headlines scare you away from your dream of homeownership. Instead, connect with mortgage and real estate professionals to determine what you can afford and what’s available at that price. Like almost half of the buyers in the survey, you may be pleasantly surprised.
To view original article, visit Keeping Current Matters.
Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a Half
Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percent . . . and are at their lowest level since February 2023.
The Best Time to Buy a Home This Year
Mortgage rates just hit their lowest point in 19 months, and that goes a long way to help with your purchasing power and affordability. Are you ready to buy?
Why Pre-Approval Should Be at the Top of Your Homebuying To-Do List
While home affordability is finally starting to show signs of improving, it’s still tight. Your lender can help you.
2025 Housing Market Forecasts: What To Expect
Looking ahead to 2025, it’s important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market.
Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You?
the number of listings tailored for homebuyers in this age group has increased by over 50% compared to last year.
Are We Heading into a Balanced Market?
Whether you’re buying or selling, understanding how the market is changing gives you a big advantage. Your agent has the latest data and local insights.