Buyers Guide

Homeownership is the American dream – not just because it has tangible financial benefits, but because it also has the power to change lives.

The sense of security, stability, and success homeowners feel has far-reaching impacts, especially in a time like today, where the health crisis has made having a safe space to call home more important now than ever before. If the pandemic has changed what you’re looking for, homeownership can deliver the perks you want: financially, emotionally, and more. 

Early 2021 saw the lowest mortgage interest rates in recorded history. This season, however, rates are beginning to rise. When mortgage rates rise, it impacts affordability. Expert projections for 2022 indicate mortgage rates are expected to continue going up, meaning it will cost more to buy a home if you wait.

While everyone moves through the homebuying process at a different pace, it’s more important than ever to put your plans in place and begin working with a trusted advisor. If you’re thinking about buying a home sometime over the next year or two, learning what it takes to purchase sooner rather than later may be your most affordable option. And when you’re educated on the process and working with an agent at your side, you can make the most informed decision about your next steps toward homeownership.

The recent surge in home prices is the result of more active buyers in the market than there are homes for sale. And although data indicates more listings are expected to be available for buyers this winter, the shortage of homes on the market won’t be solved overnight. Experts agree, prices will keep rising while demand is greater than supply. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, puts it:

“Home prices continue to rise due to a mismatch between supply and demand... This means that housing affordability will be an increasingly important consideration for buyers, but with rents rising by 13.6%, buying may be the relatively more affordable housing option for some.”

Making the decision to buy now gives you a chance to purchase your home before prices increase further, and take advantage of today’s affordability, which won’t last forever.

Census data also shows the median monthly rent is rising year after year (see chart below):

To escape that cycle, consider purchasing a home so you can lock in your monthly mortgage payment and avoid future increases. Why pay more for less? Instead, invest in homeownership, which acts as forced savings that comes back to you in the form of equity, boosting your longterm wealth gain.

Buyers don’t want mortgage rates to rise, as any upward movement increases your monthly mortgage payment when you purchase a home. But it’s important to put today’s average mortgage rate into perspective. Even though rates today are climbing back into the 3% range, they’re still incredibly competitive. To truly give you the full picture, take a look at the last 50 years (see graph below). Looking back, today’s rate is outstanding by comparison.

Being upset that you may have missed out on sub-3% mortgage rates is understandable. But it’s important to realize, buying now still makes sense, as experts project rates will continue to rise. And when rates rise, it will cost more to purchase a home.

As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains: 

“Rising mortgage rates, all else equal, will diminish house-buying power, meaning it will cost more per month for a borrower to buy ‘their same home.’”

In other words, the longer you wait, the more it will cost you. Being educated and informed on the homebuying process is incredibly important today, so you can make the best possible decision about when to purchase a home.