What’s driving the housing market?

The November 30th National Association of Realtors press release indicated that the Pending Home Sale Index receded 4.6 percent in October from the previous month. This is the fifth straight month of declines for the forward looking indicator. The index has declined about 37 percent from the same time last year. What is currently driving the housing market?

 driving the housing market
mortgage rates

Many are blaming mortgage interest rates for the sharp declines. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun stated, “October was a difficult month for home buyers as they faced 20-year-high mortgage rates…The upcoming months should see a return of buyers, as mortgage rates appear to have already peaked and have been coming down since mid-November.”

Declining Existing home sales

As for existing home sale stats, the NAR’s November 18th press release indicated that existing home sales declined for the ninth straight month. Sales slipped 5.9 percent from the previous month, and dropped 28.4 percent from the same time last year.

Increasing home prices

Despite, the slipping sales, median home prices continue to increase. The median existing home sale price increased 6.6% from the same time last year. Although the hedge funds and main stream media talk about huge home price declines in 2023, the reality is that most experts expect home prices to maintain if not increase. If the housing market were really in trouble, existing home sale prices would have already started to recede, but home sale prices actually increased! This is probably why the FHFA announced in a November 29th press release that conforming loan limits are increasing in high price areas from $647,200 to $726,200.

Inflation and the economy are on everyone’s mind. Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen stated in a December 1st press release that the economy and affordability will drive the housing market in 2023. “Affordability is going to be the biggest factor in housing for 2023, but there’s room for optimism on that front if mortgage rates recede.” 

Lack of home sale inventory is currently driving the housing market

The reason for declining home sales and increasing home prices, that no one is really talking about, is the existing home sale inventory. The NAR reported that home sale inventory continues to decline. The current level of inventory is equivalent to 3.3. month’s supply, which is indicative of a sellers’ market.

On the surface, home sale stats may seem disastrous. However, keeping perspective, remember that the current housing market is being compared to the previous year of record setting home prices and sales. Also keep in mind that although home sales have slipped, home prices continue to increase. Mortgage rates seemed to have plateaued. However, unless existing home sale inventory increases significantly, expect subdued existing home sales and higher home sale prices.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Local housing market changing

Lately, the housing market is definitely making noise and grabbing everyone’s attention, and not in a good way.  However, we won’t actually know how it plays out until it’s over.  As the idiom says “hindsight is 20/20.”   Nevertheless, if you’re currently in the market to sell or buy a home, pay attention to current local housing market conditions as they are critical to your decision making.

Here we go…

Changing housing market
More home are being listed for sale

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index (spglobal.com) reported in a June 28 press release that average April 2022 home prices increased 20.4 percent from April 2021.  Tampa, Miami, and Phoenix led metro areas with 35.8 percent, 33.3 percent and 31.3 percent gains respectively.

We won’t really know if rising interest rates have any effect on home prices for several months.  Home pricing and sales data is reported in hindsight (data is reported three to four months behind).  The Case-Shiller release points out that mortgage rates just began to increase when these stats were being compiled (April).  However, the recent S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index is already showing home price moderation (even before rising mortgage rates).  The Year-to Date S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index for the US only shows an increase of 7.95 percent, while the 3-month index increased 6.66 percent and 1-month only increased 2.08 percent

Rising mortgage interest rates is only part of the economic story that is developing.  It was likely that home prices were already moderating as a reaction to the year and a half of sharp increases.  As I wrote last week, we are in the beginning of the shifting housing cycle.  Mixing in other economic factors, such as mortgage rates etc., can either make the housing market more sever or temperate.  And as I mentioned, we won’t know for sure until it has happened.

Bottom line

If you’re currently in the market to buy and/or sell a home, focus on the short-term local trends.  Speculation of future national home prices and home sales may be interesting, however is meaningless in the here and now.  You should hire a seasoned professional to help understand your neighborhood’s trend, as well as being informed about your potential competition and the local housing market inventory. 

If you’re buying a home, work with a seasoned real estate agent who can provide valid comps and analysis before you make an offer.  Also, consider having a thorough home inspection.  In the last year and half, home buyers felt forced to forgo the inspection to make their offer competitive.  However, in the changing market, home inspections will return.

If you’re selling a home, be aware that home pricing strategies that were lucrative last year won’t work to your advantage this year.  It’s nice to think that your home could sell for a peak price much like other neighborhood homes that sold twelve to twenty-four months ago.  However, in a changing market, overpricing your home sale could be counterproductive, driving potential home buyers to competing homes.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Housing Market Pause, Slowdown, or Collapse?

housing market
Work with a seasoned professional to help navigate the local market

Is the housing market in a pause, going into a slowdown, or worse – headed for a collapse?  Looking back to an article I wrote an article in the summer of 2018 asking the same question, we were at a similar point then and asking the same questions. Just like today, the summer of 2018 saw decreasing home sales after a sellers’ and sharply rising home sale prices.  Instead of being in full swing, the housing market of the summer of 2018 was cooling down. 

During that time, it was common place to hear about the impending doom and gloom in a housing collapse from the media.   In hindsight, what occurred that summer was a normal reaction to an overheated market where stressed home buyers basically took a break. Even with the short pause, the housing remained an active and viable aspect of the US economy. 

Housing, like other facets of the economy, go through cycles of boom and bust.  Most are familiar with the extreme boom and bust cycles, such as what occurred during 2005-2007.  However, many are unfamiliar with the concept of the mini-cycle.  The mini cycle is a period of short-term growth and slowdown, modulating to maintain a relative balance. Instead going through a protracted cycle of expansion, hyper-supply, and recession, the housing market could be correcting itself via mini cycles

Prior to the lockdowns of 2020, the housing market was in the process of correcting itself from sharp home price increases during a hot 2017-2018 market.  At that time, home sale inventory was already at historic lows (which began in 2013).  As you can understand, the lockdowns further exacerbated the home sale inventory shortage and pushing the housing market and home buyers into an unprecedented situation.  The double-digit multiple offers and six-figure escalations pushed home buyers to the edge, exhausting and discouraging many.

After a year and a half of sensational activity and home price gains, it’s not unthinkable that home sales would correct itself.  As reported in the June 21st National Association of Realtors press release (https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-fell-3-4-in-may-median-sales-price-surpasses-400000-for-the-first-time), May 2022 home sales decreased 3.4 percent from April, and decreased 8.6 percent from May 2021.  Home sale inventory continues to increase, and was reported to be about 2.6 months of supply, which gives home buyers more opportunities.

Home prices, on the other hand, continue to increase.  As reported in the NAR press release, median home prices are 14.8 percent higher than a year ago! The $407,600 median home sale price is the first time the median sale price exceeded $400,000. 

Of course, housing is also affected by outside economic factors, which are concerning to everyone.  If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, look at the facts and make decisions that make sense for your situation. Finally, work with a seasoned professional to assist you to understand and navigate your local market.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2022

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Home Sale Predictions 2021

home sale predictions
Home equity 2020

Given the performance of the housing market this year, can we make home sale predictions for next year? The housing market had quite a year!  It’s amazing how resilient the market is, which demonstrates the appeal of homeownership.  Even after a significant spring slowdown, home sales rebounded to record levels in the fall.  NAR’s Existing Home Sales and Pending Home Sale Indices for October 2020 increased year-over-year 26.6 and 20 percent respectively (nar.realtor).  Even as we headed toward the holidays, NAR’s November Existing Home Sales increased 25.8 percent year-over-year.  And year-over-year median home prices increased 14.6 percent. 

While some experts expect the recent housing market activity to continue, others question if this intense home buying is sustainable.  Making home sale predictions for the new year has always been predicated on recent trends.  However, 2020 was different.  Unexpected and unusual events occurred throughout the year affecting the housing market.  First taking a pause because of an economic shock, home sales made up ground later in the year. 

Recent trends suggest that home buying will continue at a healthy rate, as long as the economy remains relatively similar.  However, being an election year there is anticipation for change.  Even many economists, who are typically ready to offer their opinion, are ambivalent about the economy.  This may suggest that the economic outlook for the near future is uncertain.

A main factor to watch in 2021, is employment.  It’s a known fact that unemployment directly effects home sales.  In periods of increasing unemployment, home sales decline.  A 2010 Florida Realtors (floridayrealtors.org) survey demonstrated a correlation between unemployment and foreclosures.  There is no coincidence that home sales strongly rebounded along with employment and the economy.  If employment remains stable into 2021, home sales will continue to over-perform. 

Other factors that will drive the housing market in 2021 include mortgage interest rates, home sale inventory, and home buyer demand. 

Mortgage rates have been relatively low since 2008.  At that time, rates hovered in the low 4’s, and were though to be “historically low.”  Also, consider that mortgage rates were in the 18 percent range during the early 1980’s.  Even during the go-go market of 2005-2006, rates hovered in the 6 percent range.  But the most recent mortgage interest rate average of 2.66 percent for a 30-year-fixed rate is described as “another record low” by Freddie Mac’s December 24th 2020 Primary Mortgage Market Survey (freddiemac.com).  If mortgage rates remain low, home buyers will be incentivized to buy homes.

Another after-effect of the Great Recession, which continues today, is low home sale inventory.  The Great Recession changed how consumers thought of housing.  Since 2008, home owners have remained in their homes much longer.  Many growing families make due with smaller spaces, rather than moving-up to a larger home.  Many older home owners are deciding to “age in place,” in lieu of down-sizing.  And telecommuting is outpacing job relocation.  Home sale inventory of non-distressed properties will continue to remain low through 2021.

There is always “home buyer demand.”  Meaning there are always active home buyers.  However, the strength of the demand varies.  Home buyer demand is typically gauged in hindsight through home sales and pending home sales.  When you combine housing stats with other factors, such as employment, economy, and mortgage rates you can estimate the strength of future home buyer demand.  If economic factors remain stable, home buyer demand will continue to be strong in 2021. 

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2020/12/27/home-sale-predictions-2021/

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2020

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

More Homes for Buyers?

more homes for buyers
Strength of the housing market

If you’ve been following the housing market, you know that housing experts have been declaring a home sale inventory shortage since 2013.  In NAR’s November 27th Pending Home Sales Index release, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun partly blamed October’s 1.7 percent decline to “inadequate levels of inventory across the country.”  He stated “There is no shortage of buyers seeking homes, but a lack of available units continues to drag down the nation’s housing market and overall economy.” Essentially, there needs to be more homes for buyers.

However, if reporting holds true, the home sale shortage may be ending soon.  The most recent housing permits report indicates that more new homes will be built, while media attention to a “silver tsunami” suggest more homes for buyers will hit the market.

October’s increased housing permits suggest an increase in new homes to be built next year.  According to a recent report, housing permits reached a post-recession high (Housing Permits Surge to Postrecession High; magazine.realtor; November 20, 2019).  Although permits are just an estimate for future construction, it is nonetheless relevant because, like pending home sales, it gives a hint of the potential for future home sales.  Single family permits reached 1.46 million units during October, which is an increase of about 5 percent.  October was the second-best month for housing starts this year.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, stated, “At 1.46 million units on an annualized basis, housing permits are nearly to the level needed for the country over the long haul.  Since new-home construction kicks off the chain reaction of people trading up and trading down by buying new and selling their existing homes, more housing inventory will surely show up in the market next year.” 

Robert Dietz, the National Association of Homebuilders chief economist, commented about demand for new homes, “The increase in buyer demand is also being driven by lower mortgage rates, which has been helping to lift the pace of single-family permits since April. Solid wage growth, healthy employment gains, and an increase in household formations are also contributing to the steady rise in home production.”

What about existing homes?  According to Zillow Research, there will be about twenty million additional existing homes that will be for sale through the mid-2030’s (The Silver Tsunami: Which Areas will be Flooded with Homes once Boomers Start Leaving Them; Zillow.com; Nov. 22, 2019).  These home owners are 60 years-old or older, and will eventually sell their home because of health, retirement, relocation, and death.  There will be regional differences depending on the number of senior home owners.  Zillow indicates that the Tampa and Tucson markets are likely to be affected most.

The “silver tsunami” is not a new concept.  It was postulated in a 2012 NAR article The Boomer Effect.  The article surmised that since Baby Boomers began turning 65 on January 1, 2011, there would more homes for buyers and that the inventory would overwhelm the market.  However, we are still waiting for the tsunami. As it turned out, the post-recession economy significantly changed, as did attitudes toward housing.  Multi-generational households increased, and seniors are aging in place.

Will the anticipated increased number of new and existing homes to be sold provide the boost to home sales numbers?  Maybe, if the added inventory is attractive to home buyers.  It has been clear that home buyers will opt for value in a turn-key home.  Home sellers need to keep in mind that home buyers are looking for affordable quality homes.

Original article is published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2019/12/20/more-homes-for-buyers/

By Dan Krell
Copyright© 2019

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.