The Ultimate Truth about Housing Affordability
There have been many headlines decrying an “affordability crisis” in the residential real estate market. While it is true that buying a home is less affordable than it had been over the last ten years, we need to understand why and what that means.
On a monthly basis, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), produces a Housing Affordability Index. According to NAR, the index…
“…measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national and regional levels based on the most recent price and income data.”
Their methodology states:
“To interpret the indices, a value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment.”
So, the higher the index, the more affordable it is to purchase a home. Here is a graph of the index going back to 1990:
It is true that the index is lower today than any year from 2009 to 2017. However, we must realize the main reason homes were more affordable. That period of time immediately followed a housing crash and there were large numbers of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales). Those properties were sold at large discounts.
Today, the index is higher than any year from 1990 to 2008. Based on historic home affordability data, that means homes are more affordable right now than any other time besides the time following the housing crisis.
With mortgage rates remaining low and wages finally increasing, we can see that it is MORE AFFORDABLE to purchase a home today than it was last year!
Bottom Line
With wages increasing, price appreciation moderating, and mortgage rates remaining near all-time lows, purchasing a home is a great move based on historic affordability numbers.
To view original article, visit Keeping Current Matters.
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.
Two Reasons Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t a Bubble
Today, there’s still a shortage of inventory, which is causing ongoing home price appreciation.
The Average Homeowner Gained $64K in Equity over the Past Year
In addition to building your overall net worth, equity can also help you achieve other goals like buying your next home.
More Americans Choose Real Estate as the Best Investment Than Ever Before
Your house is also an asset that typically increases in value over time, even during inflation.
Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House
Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value.
What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market?
Home prices are forecast to keep appreciating because there are still fewer homes for sale than there are buyers in the market.