Homebuyers are debating whether they should buy now or wait in the hope that more homes will become available at more affordable prices in 2022.
The housing market has been setting new records on a variety of fronts throughout the year 2021, leaving home buyers wondering whether they should buy now or wait in the hope that more homes will become available at more affordable prices in 2022.
So far, house price appreciation has increased by 18.5 percent year-over-year (YOY) in the third quarter, the greatest level in the history of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) House Price Index.
Since 1982, inflation has increased at the fastest rate on record. As a result of a decrease in the number of available homes for sale, the demand for housing has increased, increasing pressure on home prices.
During the month of June, there were just 1.38 million homes on the market, a decrease of 23 percent year on year. This is the lowest level of housing supply in history.
Buyers snapped up properties at a quicker rate than ever before, reducing the number of days residences were on the market to a record low of only 15 days.
Mortgage rates are keeping constant around the 3.1 percent mark for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage–which, although not the lowest rate on the records, is quite close to it.
According to housing specialists, the following is what this means for 2022.
Inventory will remain scarce
It was already a problem prior to the pandemic because the country lacked enough housing. And the problems with the Covid-19 supply chain, as well as a labor shortage, have only made matters worse.
Despite the fact that builders are attempting to increase output, inventories will remain tight.
In fact, the number of residences actively advertised for sale reached a new low at the end of November, breaking the previous record.
According to Zillow's research, even though there will most certainly be more listings in the spring and summer, as is customary, there will not be enough to fulfill demand.
Zillow's 2022 housing prediction stated that the gap shrank in 2021 and will likely narrow again in 2022, but that the housing scarcity will be a defining characteristic of the market once again next year.
Interest rates will rise
Several interest rate hikes are projected from the Federal Reserve throughout the course of the fiscal year 2022, which implies mortgage rates will most certainly climb as well.
As predicted by both Redfin and Realtor.com, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will reach 3.60 percent by the end of 2022, up from an average rate of 3.30 percent now in effect.
Prices won’t drop
According to analysts from Zillow and Realtor.com, anyone anticipating a slowdown in competition in 2022 will be disappointed.
Economic factors such as limited availability, high demand, and low mortgage rates will continue to favor sellers, allowing them to command a higher price for their properties.
Many houses, particularly in the spring and summer, maybe the subject of bidding wars, so prospective buyers should be prepared to compete. While no one can anticipate what will happen in the future, the trends described above indicate that prices will continue to rise in the foreseeable future.
Real estate data provider Zillow expects that house values will rise by 11 percent in 2022, which is not as much growth as in 2021 but still significant.
Young buyers will be at a disadvantage
When it comes to buying a home, millennials, who are at the top of their first-time home-buying years, will continue to be at a disadvantage when compared to older generations.
This is not just due to the fact that homes are far more expensive now than they were when baby boomers and older generations were purchasing their first homes, but also due to the fact that Boomers are living in their homes for longer periods of time as they live longer lives.
As a result, an increasing number of first-time homebuyers are expected to require financial assistance from family and friends in order to fund a down payment. Obviously, this will restrict the number of people who are able to own a home.
Housing affordability in the United States has been a source of contention for purchasers, particularly those under the age of 35, for some time. However, since the outbreak of the pandemic, the situation has only gotten worse, and it will continue to get worse.
Should You Buy a Home Now Or Wait?
Buyers who have the financial ability to buy the house now may consider price aspects such as interest rates while determining whether or not to take the plunge. First-time buyers, on the other hand, face far more difficult challenges, such as increasing down payment requirements.
The down payment and monthly mortgage payments rise in accordance with the increase in property prices. This means that some purchasers may have to save more money or hunt for the less costly property as a result of this change.
In recent years, as more companies have let their workers work from home, some buyers have relocated to more affordable places, but this is not the case for everyone.
As demand begins to decrease in 2022, says James McGrath, a registered real estate broker in New York and co-founder of Yoreevo, a residential brokerage, there may be more supply for individuals who are patient.
Final Verdict
Having said that, experts advise being ready for everything. Prepare ahead of time so that you'll be prepared to act quickly when the proper listing comes along.
Prices will be higher, but it does not imply that you should purchase anything that is beyond your financial means.
Analyze the property prices in your local region from the previous year in comparison to the listings you are presently evaluating. If the same style of property is offered for much more than the asking price, it makes more sense to hold off and look for something else.