“Purchasing a home while mortgage rates are this low may save you significantly over the life of your home loan.”
When most of us begin searching for a home, we naturally start by looking at the price. It’s important, however, to closely consider what else impacts the purchase. It’s not just the price of the house that matters, but the overall cost in the long run. Today, that’s largely impacted by low mortgage rates. Low rates are actually making homes more affordable now than at any time since 2016, and here’s why.
Today’s low rates are off-setting rising home prices because it’s less expensive to borrow money. In essence, purchasing a home while mortgage rates are this low may save you significantly over the life of your home loan.
Taking a look at the graph below with data sourced from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the higher the bars rise, the more affordable homes are. The orange bars represent the period of time when homes were most affordable, but that’s also reflective of when the housing bubble burst. At that time, distressed properties, like foreclosures and short sales, dominated the market. That’s a drastically different environment than what we have in the housing market now.
The green bar represents today’s market. It shows that homes truly are more affordable than they have been in years, and much more so than they were in the normal market that led up to the housing crash. Low mortgage rates are a big differentiator driving this affordability.
What are the experts saying about affordability?
Experts agree that this unique moment in time is making homes incredibly affordable for buyers.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR:
“Although housing prices have consistently moved higher, when the favorable mortgage rates are factored in, an overall home purchase was more affordable in 2020’s second quarter compared to one year ago.”
Bill Banfield, EVP of Capital Markets, Quicken Loans:
“No matter what you’re looking for, this is a great time to buy since the current low interest rates can stretch your spending power.”
“Those shopping for a home can afford 10 percent more home than they could have one year ago while keeping their monthly payment unchanged. This translates into nearly $32,000 more buying power.”
“Homeowners are the clear winners. Low mortgage rates mean the cost of owning is at historically low levels and who gains all the benefits of strong house price appreciation? Homeowners.”
Bottom Line
When purchasing a home, it’s important to think about the overall cost, not just the price of the house. Homes on your wish list may be more affordable today than you think. Let’s connect to discuss how affordability plays a role in our local market, and your long-term homeownership goals.
To view original article, visit Keeping Current Matters.
Wondering Where You’ll Move if You Sell Your House Today?
A trusted real estate agent will help you think through the pros and cons of new and existing homes to help you make your best decision.
Housing Experts Say This Market Isn’t a Bubble
Lending standards are tighter due to lessons learned and new regulations enacted after the last crisis.
Expert Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year
Housing supply is increasing, but there are still more buyers than there are homes for sale, maintaining the upward pressure on home prices.
The Drop in Mortgage Rates Brings Good News for Homebuyers
A decrease in mortgage rates means an increase in your purchasing power.
Is Homeownership Still the American Dream?
Your home is your stake in the community and a strong financial investment, something you can be proud of.
If You’re Selling Your House This Summer, Hiring a Pro Is Critical
Today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional.