I’m receiving calls and questions all the time regarding mortgage qualification and home buying in today’s changing interest rate and price appreciation marketplace.
Your home buying power is the result of several variables – but there’s great news today when you consider increased income and historically low mortgage rates.
I’m linking today to an article by Amy Hale of The Mortgage Reports that really nails the answer. Go here for the entire article – and I’ve highlighted the key pieces below.
Are home prices really that high?
It might seem like home prices just keep rising, but according to the historical numbers, today’s housing is actually very affordable. “Real” home prices—those adjusted for income and interests rate changes—are currently 32.5 percent below their housing boom peak from 2006.
Home buyers still hold the power
According to the latest First American Real House Price Index, which aims to measure overall housing affordability by considering changes in income, interest rate and actual home prices, consumer home buying power is still strong.
“While unadjusted house prices have been on the rise since the end of 2011, nearly a seven-year run, consumer house-buying power has also increased by 14.3 percent over the same period,” said Mark Fleming, First American’s chief economist.
“House-buying power, how much one can buy based on changes in income and interest rates, has benefited from a decline in mortgage rates since 2011, and the more recent slow, but steady growth of household income.”
Buying power is actually up significantly from 2011 because real wages have actually increased over that time – household income has risen nearly 20% over the last 7 years. Also, mortgage lenders have relaxed some of the tight requirements and ratios for qualification. This combination makes it a great time for buyers and borrowers.
The real story on home prices
Overall, “real” home prices aren’t even close to their historical peak. In fact, according to Fleming, they’re currently 32.5 percent below July 2006’s prices and 9 percent lower than in January 2000.
Don’t let sticker prices fool you. American home buying power is still high. Want to get in on the market? Reach out to me for some answers, as it would be my privilege to help!
