Rising Mortgage Rates and Short Supply: The State of Real Estate in 2022

Higher Rates and Short Supply: The State of Real Estate in 2022

The last two years caught many of us off guard—and not just because of the pandemic. They also ushered in the hottest housing market on record, with home prices rising nationally by nearly 19% in 2021, driven primarily by low mortgage rates and a major supply shortage. But while some had hoped 2022 would bring […]

Home Price Deceleration Doesn’t Mean Home Price Depreciation

Home Price Deceleration Doesn’t Mean Home Price Depreciation Home Price Deceleration Doesn’t Mean Home Price Depreciation | MyKCM Experts in the real estate industry use a number of terms when they talk about what’s happening with home prices. And some of those words sound a bit similar but mean very different things. To help clarify what’s happening with home prices and where experts say they’re going, here’s a look at a few terms you may hear: Appreciation is when home prices increase. Depreciation is when home prices decrease. Deceleration is when home prices continue to appreciate, but at a slower pace. Where Home Prices Have Been in Recent Years For starters, you’ve probably heard home prices have skyrocketed over the past two years, but homes were actually appreciating long before that. You might be surprised to learn that home prices have climbed for 122 consecutive months (see graph below): Home Price Deceleration Doesn’t Mean Home Price Depreciation | MyKCM As the graph shows, houses have gained value consistently over the past 10 consecutive years. But since 2020, the increase has been more dramatic as home price growth accelerated. So why did home prices climb so much? It’s because there were more buyers than there were homes for sale. That imbalance put upward pressure on home prices because demand was high and supply was low. Where Experts Say Home Prices Are Going While this is helpful context, if you’re a buyer or seller in today’s market, you probably want to know what’s going to happen with home prices moving forward. Will they continue that same growth path or will home prices fall? Experts are forecasting ongoing appreciation, just at a decelerated pace. In other words, prices will keep climbing, just not as fast as they have been. The graph below shows home price forecasts from seven industry leaders. None are calling for prices to fall (see graph below): Home Price Deceleration Doesn’t Mean Home Price Depreciation | MyKCM Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, identifies a key reason why home prices won’t depreciate or drop: “In today’s housing market, demand for homes continues to outpace supply, which is keeping the pressure on house prices, so don’t expect house prices to decline.” And although housing supply is starting to tick up, it’s not enough to make home prices decline because there’s still a gap between the number of homes available for sale and the volume of buyers looking to make a purchase. Terry Loebs, Founder of the research firm Pulsenomics, notes that most real estate experts and economists anticipate home prices will continue rising. As he puts it: “With home values at record-high levels and a vast majority of experts projecting additional price increases this year and beyond, home prices and expectations remain buoyant.” Bottom Line Experts forecast price deceleration, not depreciation. That means home prices will continue to rise, just at a slower pace. Let’s connect so you can get the full picture of what’s happening with home prices in our local market and to discuss your buying and selling goals.

You may have recently heard that terms like “home price deceleration” and “home price depreciation,” but these terms are not the same. In fact, experts in the real estate industry use a number of terms when they talk about what’s happening with home prices. Some of these terms sound a bit similar but mean very […]

What Is Happening With The Housing Market?

Is the Housing Market Correcting?

If you’re following the news, all of the headlines about conditions in the current housing market may leave you with more questions than answers. What is happening with the housing market? Is the boom over? Is the market crashing or correcting? Here’s what you need to know. What Is Happening With The Housing Market The housing market […]

What You Need To Budget for When Buying a Home

What You Need To Budget for When Buying a Home

When it comes to buying a home, it can feel a bit intimidating to know how much you need to save, what to budget for, and where to find that information. But have no fear, you’re not expected to have all the answers yourself. There are many trusted professionals who can help you understand your […]

The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the Effort

The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the Effort

If you’re in the market to buy a home this season, stick with it. Homebuyers face challenges in any market, and today’s is no exception. But if you persevere, your decision to achieve the dream of homeownership is worth the effort in the end. In fact, a recent survey from Bankrate shows homeownership is so powerful that: “Nearly […]

5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Real Estate Market

5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Real Estate Market

Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched and wondering how to write a winning offer. But now, with interest rates climbing, many of them are also feeling desperate to lock in a mortgage—which has only added […]

Why Rising Mortgage Rates Push Buyers off the Fence

Why Rising Mortgage Rates Push Buyers off the Fence

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard about rising mortgage rates and have wondered what that means for you. Since mortgage rates have increased over two percentage points this year, it’s natural to think about how this will impact your homeownership plans. Today, buyers are reacting in one of two ways: they’re either […]

How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits the Economy and Your Community

If You’re a Homeowner, You Have Incredible Leverage When You Sell Today

June is National Homeownership Month, and if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. But did you know it has a large impact on your community too? To measure that impact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a report each year to highlight just how much […]

Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale

Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale

We’re still in a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean your home is guaranteed to easily sell. If you want to maximize your sale price, it’s still important to prepare your home before putting it on the market. Start by connecting with a real estate agent as soon as possible. Having the eyes and ears […]

Remote Work Trends Mean Flexibility for First-Time Homebuyers

Remote Work Trends Mean Flexibility for First-Time Homebuyers

Today’s low inventory can be challenging for homebuyers, especially if you’re looking to purchase your first home. But, if you’re one of many people who work remotely, you may have a great opportunity to use the flexibility you have at work to achieve your homebuying goals this year. In a recent report, Arch Capital Services explains how […]