There are a lot of questions right now regarding the real estate market as we head into 2022. The forbearance program is coming to an end and mortgage rates are beginning to rise.
With all of this uncertainty, anyone with a megaphone – from the mainstream media to a lone blogger – has realized that bad news sells. Unfortunately, we'll continue to see a rash of troublesome headlines over the next few months. To make sure you aren't paralyzed by a headline, turn to reliable resources for a look at what to expect from the housing market next year.
There are already alarmist headlines starting to appear. Here are two recent topics you may have seen in the news.
1. Foreclosures Are Spiking Today
There are a number of headlines circulating that call out the rising foreclosures in today's real estate market. Those stories focus on an overly narrow view on that topic: the current volume of foreclosures compared to 2020. They emphasize that we're seeing far more foreclosures this year compared to last.
That seems rather daunting. However, though it's true foreclosures have been up over the 2020 numbers, it's important to realize that there were virtually no foreclosures last year because of the forbearance plan. If we compare this September to September of 2019 (the last normal year), foreclosures were down 70% according...
Are you thinking about selling your house right now, but you're not sure you'll have the time to do so as the holidays draw near? If so, consider this: even as the holiday season approaches, there are plenty of buyers out there, and they really want your house. Here's why selling this winter is a win for you.
Today's buyers are still dealing with a limited number of homes for sale. Thanks to continued low inventory, those buyers are competing with one another for their dream home. And when that happens, if your house is one of the few on the market, it will rise to the top of the pool – and it will be worth it.
According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average seller received 3.7 offers on their house in September. For a view into what's happening at the state level, take a look at the map below:...
With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac climbing above 3%, rising rates are one of the topics dominating the discussion in the housing market today. And since experts project rates will rise further in the coming months, that conversation isn't going away any time soon.
But as a homebuyer, what do rates above 3% really mean?
Today's Average Mortgage Rate Still Presents Buyers with a Great Opportunity
Buyers don't want mortgage rates to rise, as any upward movement increases your monthly mortgage payment. But it's important to put today's average mortgage rate into perspective. The graph below shows today's rate in comparison to average rates over the last five years:
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Mortgage rates are one of several factors that impact how much you can afford if you're buying a home. When rates are low, they help you get more house for your money. Within the last year, mortgage rates have hit the lowest point ever recorded, and they've hovered in the historic-low territory. But even over the past few weeks, rates have started to rise. This past week, the average 30-year fixed rate was 3.14%.
What does this mean if you're thinking about making a move? Waiting until next year will cost you more in the long run. Here's a look at what several experts project for mortgage rates going into 2022.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is expected to be 3.0 percent in 2021 and 3.5 percent in 2022.
Doug Duncan, Senior VP & Chief Economist, ...
