“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.
How Mortgage Rate Changes Impact Your Homebuying Power
Real estate agents have the expertise to help you understand what’s happening and what it means for you.
What Credit Score Do You Really Need to Buy a House?
While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy.
Is Affordability Starting to Improve?
While affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Here’s a look at the latest data.
Are There More Homes for Sale Where You Live?
Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.
Where Will You Go After You Sell?
Want to see what’s available? Your real estate agent can show you what homes are for sale in your area, so you can see if there’s one that works for you and your needs.
Helpful Negotiation Tactics for Today’s Housing Market
One thing is true whether you’re a buyer or a seller, and that’s how much your agent can help you throughout the process.