The Truth About Housing Affordability
From a purely economic perspective, this is one of the best times in American history to buy a home. Black Night Financial Services discusses this in their most recent Monthly Mortgage Monitor.
Here are two of the report’s revelations:
- The average U.S. home value increased by $13,500 from last year, but low interest rates have kept the monthly principal & interest payment needed to purchase a median-priced home almost equal to one year ago.
- Home affordability still remains favorable compared to long-term historic norms.
The report explains:
“Even though the value of the average home in the U.S. increased by about $13,500 over the last year, thanks to declining interest rates it actually costs almost exactly the same in principal and interest each month to purchase as it did this time last year.
Even taking into account the fact that affordability can vary – sometimes significantly – across the country based upon the different rates of home price appreciation we’re seeing, that’s a pretty incredible balancing act between interest rates and home prices at the national level…
Right now, it takes 20 percent of the median monthly income to cover monthly payments on the median-priced home, which is well below historical norms.”
However, the report warns that affordability will be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates.
“A half-point increase in interest rates would be equivalent to a $17,000 jump in the average home price, and bring that ratio to 21.5 percent. This increase is still below historical norms, but puts more pressure on homebuyers.”
Bottom Line
If you are ready and willing to purchase a home of your own, let’s get together to find out if you are able to. Now is a great time to jump in.
The Dangers of “Tight Mortgage Credit” Headlines
The availability of mortgage credit is not at the same level that it was during the boom in housing (2005), and that’s good news. However, the constant headlines which talk about “tight credit” are causing some potential home buyers to doubt their ability to purchase. We want to rectify the misconception of what is required for a down payment in order to purchase a home in today’s market.
Freddie Mac recently discussed the confusion many first-time homebuyers have about the down payment they need in order to buy:
“Did you know that the average down payment among first–time homebuyers is 6% and it’s 13–14% for repeat buyers…It’s possible to put down even less.
Many potential homebuyers think that only the FHA helps make mortgage loans with low down payments. Not true.
Freddie Mac’s Home Possible mortgage products let qualified homebuyers put down as little as 3%.”
Brenda Garcia Lemus of John Burns Real Estate Consulting reports that this is also the case with newly constructed homes:
“Our home-builder clients sell hundreds of homes every weekend to buyers with 5% down payments and below average credit scores. Yet, many middle-income households with average credit and access to a 5% down payment assume they cannot become homeowners because of the ‘tight credit’ headlines.”
Bottom Line
Before you ‘disqualify’ yourself, let’s get together to find out if you qualify to buy today.
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