SPRING 2022 HOMEBUYING SEASON PREVIEW
Main Takeaways for Buyers
- Low housing inventory and high demand will create a strong seller’s market, but not as intense as the peak of 2021.
- Home prices are expected to continue rising, but at a slower pace than last year.
- To avoid house buying FOMO (fear of missing out) and panic buying, know what you can afford and stick to a realistic budget.
Main Takeaways for Sellers
- It will still be a strong seller’s market, but compared to 2021, there will be a smaller likelihood of a bidding war driving up your sale price.
- Get ahead of preparing to sell your home. Repairs and upgrades are taking longer to schedule and complete due to shortages of supplies and labor.
- All real estate is local. Some markets, or sub-markets, may be stronger or weaker than others.
- Work with a local real estate professional that knows your targeting market.
The 2022 real property market looks more normal.
The busy spring homebuying season is approaching. Homebuyers will still face a difficult task, but it shouldn’t feel like 2021.
According to the latest data from the S&P Case-Shiller National Index of Home Prices, home values have risen by almost 20% since 2021. Although housing prices are not expected to fall this year, they should slow down. Experts believe that home values will rise at half of the rate (single digit increases) seen during the peak in 2021.
Although buyers may still be in bidding wars they are less frequent and intense. This means that sellers might not be as selective in choosing from offers. To win the bid, all-cash offers or conventional loans without appraisal contingencies were common in 2021. You may be able, as a buyer this year, to be more flexible in terms of your purchase contract even though you won’t necessarily get a price reduction.
The seller’s market will persist into the 2022 spring homebuying seasons, but that it should be less competitive than in the past spring. The spring season will be high-demand. It’s going to be different than 2021 when the supply was out of control with the demand. Predictions are that spring will be the most busy season for real estate. While the number of homes available for sale will increase over 2021, it is still likely to be lower than usual. Bidding wars will continue for buyers, but not as frequently or as intensely.
Mortgage interest rate could rise, which could impact your purchasing power. Understanding your financing is essential. This means it is important to know the limits of your homebuying budget. You might be eligible for a loan amount greater than you are comfortable with. However, you don’t want get involved in a bidding war that could lead to a higher monthly payment.
Sellers should plan ahead for any maintenance and upgrades before you put your house up for sale, especially if you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself. Due to supply chain problems and labor shortages, renovations and repairs must be planned far in advance.
This means that homebuyers need to be focused on the essentials of why a home purchase is the right decision for them. You can make it work with your timing. If your family situation and employment status allow it, it is a good idea to buy. It is a risky endeavor to predict the future market. Even if home prices fell, mortgage rates could increase, making it more expensive to buy a house.
The rate at which home prices appreciate should slow down but stay positive until 2022’s homebuying season. The main driver for house price growth will be the shortage of homes to sell relative to demand. The prime years for millennials are now, and there hasn’t been enough housing built to meet the demand.
Buyers who are looking to make a move in the coming year will want to prepare well in advance. To make sure you know what your home purchasing budget is, you need to create a plan. The decision to buy a home is not just about financial decisions. It is also a lifestyle decision. It should be a sensible decision for you and your financial situation.
It shouldn’t get as hot as the 2021 peak frenzy. Expect a slowdown in the rate of home price appreciation. We may see a decrease in the 20-21 price growth to 20%. Instead, home price appreciations will be in the upper single figures, somewhere around 7%-8%. This is historically a very, very strong, but not as strong as ’21.
This means that this year will still remain a seller’s marketplace. Timing the market is not recommended as home prices are expected to appreciate. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spend more to buy a house now than you need. Don’t rush to make a decision in a hurry. You should take the time to search for a home that you can afford over the long-term and that will comfortably fit your lifestyle.
Good news for sellers: Buyers looking for homes will outnumber those for sale. Although home prices are expected increase, real estate is highly local and the demand for homes can vary from one area to another. To determine the best listing price for your property and to assess if there are any repairs or improvements that need to be made before placing it on the market, it’s a smart idea to consult a local realtor.
The best time for your home to be put up for sale is when there is the most demand. This is typically between February and May in many markets. It’s when families are looking to relocate after the school year.
Mortgage rates will rise in the coming months. Home prices are expected to increase so it is important to start planning financially well in advance. Your credit score will help you qualify to get a low mortgage rate. You will need to save for a down payment and closing costs . Unexpected repairs and maintenance are also important. It’s a great time to look into first homebuyer programs. If you are eligible, these programs can help with your down payment and closing costs.
Although most markets for housing will remain competitive, some areas may be more difficult than others. The flexibility to work remotely could increase demand in certain areas. It could be attractive to live in areas close to major cities, but only an hour or so away. These types of areas will appreciate more quickly. This is an important point to remember when deciding where to buy.
First-time buyers who are looking for affordable homes might also be in greater competition. The starter home price range is one of the most difficult segments in the housing market to enter. A large number of people are in the prime first-time buyer range. Builders have not been able to build enough homes that will be affordable for them.
It’s still a strong market so you need patience as a buyer. It’s not a good idea to rush buy and regret buying . You may be able to choose where and what type of home you want, but you might not have the same demand in certain areas. A condo or townhouse located a little further from the place you initially planned to move could be cheaper than a single-family house in an urban area. While you may not find the perfect home right away, a home that is suitable for your needs can serve as a foundation for a future home.
Original Article: https://time.com/nextadvisor/mortgages/mortgage-news/sping-2022-housing-market-predictions/
