Renters Paying Substantially More While Owning Costs Less
In a recent Insights Blog, CoreLogic reported that rent prices have skyrocketed since 2005. Meanwhile, the typical mortgage payment has actually decreased.
“CoreLogic’s national rent index was up 36% in December 2018 compared with December 2005, while the typical mortgage payment was down 4% over that period.”
Why the difference between the costs of renting versus owning?
It makes sense that rents have risen. However, how did mortgage payments decrease? CoreLogic explained:
“It’s mainly because mortgage rates back in December 2005 were significantly higher, averaging 6.3% for a fixed-rate 30-year loan, compared with 4.6% in December 2018.
The national median sale price in December 2005 – $190,000 – was lower than the $220,305 median in December 2018, but because of higher mortgage rates in 2005 the typical monthly mortgage payment was slightly higher back then – $941 – compared with $904 in December 2018.”
Additionally, a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that purchasing a home requires less of your monthly paycheck.
According to the Economists’ Outlook Blog, NAR’s February 2019 Housing Affordability Index showed that the “percentage of income needed” to pay the typical mortgage has decreased the last three months.
- November – 17.3%
- December – 16.9%
- January – 16.2%
- February – 15.9%
Bottom Line
What does this all mean to the current housing market? We think First American said it best in a post last week:
“The mortgage rate-driven affordability surge has arrived just in time… Rising affordability has already benefited home buyers and, if the lower rate environment persists, we’re in for a great spring home-buying season.”
To view original article, visit Keeping Current Matters.
Selling This Fall? You Want To Get These 4 Things Right.
Selling your house this fall is absolutely doable. Buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climb – and you need the right strategy to get attention in this type of market.
Selling This Fall? You Haven’t Missed Your Window
Getting your house sold this season comes down to how well it’s priced and presented, and that’s where a local agent shines.
Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.
No matter which route you take, talk with a financial expert first. The buyers who come out ahead build a solid plan with the right professionals before starting their journey to homeownership.
Most Home Sales Close – Here’s How To Keep Yours on Track
Some reasons are outside a seller’s control, like whether a buyer’s loan clears or whether they sell their own home in time. But there are a few proactive things you can do to help make sure your sale goes as smoothly as possible.
Selling a Luxury House? Here’s Why Now Is a Good Time
High-end buyers tend to feel less of the affordability pressure weighing on many households today, so they keep buying even when the wider market slows.
More Homes, Better Prices: A Buyer’s Summer
Sellers are reading market conditions and are pricing accordingly from the start rather than listing high and cutting later, and buyers are taking note and making bids.