Housing trends are changing by the week, and it’s time to start believing the Fed when they talk about resetting the housing market. Let’s chat about this today, and I’d love to hear your take in the comments.
UPCOMING (PUBLIC) SPEAKING GIGS:
10/07/22 Market update with SAR (9am-10:15am Sign up here)
10/13/22 Market update in Midtown (12-2pm Sign up here)
10/20/22 How to Think Like an Appraiser (9am-12pm) (Sign up here)
THREE THINGS ON MY MIND:
1) These rates don’t phase Chuck Norris (but we’re not Chuck Norris):
Sorry to state the obvious, but quick rate changes are poised to take more demand out of the market. This doesn’t bother Chuck Norris one bit because the man eats 7% mortgages rates for breakfast. But this is a massive deal for buyers in today’s market who are trying to afford a house.
The Redfin image shows the monthly mortgage payment on the national level is about 45% higher this year than last year. Yikes. It’s a good thing wages also rose by 45% (sarcasm). Seriously though, if buyers are paying about $750 more per month compared to last year, that’s a tough pill to swallow that’s going to lead to fewer buyers being able to play the game.
This visual from Mortgage News Daily shows another spike in mortgage rates over the past month. Keep in mind it’s going to take a number of months before we completely see the effect of higher rates in data for closed sales, but we should see it soon in things like price reductions, days on market, open house traffic, and stories from the trenches. Also, mortgage brokers may be able to offer a lower rate, so check in with your local professional.
2) Believe the Fed about wanting a housing market correction:
Look, it’s time to start believing the Fed about wanting to see the housing market reset. I don’t say this as a housing bear (really), but Fed Chairman Jerome Powell was blatant last week about a correction. It’s as if the housing market is the sacrificial lamb on the altar of Fed strategy to curb inflation. My advice? Start believing the Fed about their intent to change the housing market. The Jerome Powell quote below is from Lance Lambert on Twitter (highlights are mine).
3) The housing market will figure it out:
All that said, the market will figure this out. The truth is the housing market will adjust and adapt as needed because that’s what markets do. If rates continue to rise, we should expect to see fewer buyers able to participate, and the need for sharper price declines to meet buyers closer to what they can afford today. Bottom line. But remember, not everyone has the same story in housing. I find some expect for every single buyer to back off the market, but some buyers’ lifestyle and finances are going to collide with market conditions right now. In other words, there isn’t just one narrative that perfectly represents every single buyer and seller today. I don’t say this to gloss over blatant changes to affordability. I’m just saying the market isn’t the same for everyone.
MARKET STATS: I’ll have lots of market stats out this week on my social channels, so watch Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Thanks for being here.
Questions: What stands out to you today? Any thoughts about Fed policy? Also, do you think there is another inflection point for rates (like we saw when rates went above 5%)?
If you liked this post, subscribe by email (or RSS). Thanks for being here.