In recent developments, the housing market has witnessed a significant shift as mortgage rates drop, heralding a period of potential relief for homebuyers grappling with the least affordable housing landscape since the 1980s. This week, the trend of declining mortgage rates continued, marking a pivotal moment for prospective homeowners.
Following a descent below 7% last week – the first occurrence since mid-August – mortgage rates drop further this week. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage plummeted to an average of 6.67% as of December 21, a decrease from the 6.95% recorded in the preceding week, as per Freddie Mac’s data released on Thursday. This rate contrasts with the 6.27% average of the same 30-year fixed-rate a year ago.
This week marks the eighth consecutive week of decline, influenced by the anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts slated for the upcoming year. The average mortgage rate, derived from applications received by Freddie Mac from numerous lenders nationwide, reflects only those borrowers who contribute a 20% down payment and possess excellent credit. However, individual buyers may encounter varying rates.
“Lower rates are enticing previously hesitant potential homebuyers back into the market,” commented Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. Khater also noted the positive impact on homebuilders, with a surge in homebuilder confidence and new home construction reaching its highest level since May, indicating a response to meet the increased demand amidst low current inventory.
The average rate had soared above 7% in mid-August, reaching a peak of 7.79% towards the end of October. The recent weeks of mortgage rates drop suggest that the cycle’s highest rates are likely behind us, a welcome development for aspiring buyers.
Forecast: Continued Decline in Mortgage Rates
Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, anticipates that mortgage rates drop will persist, especially with the Federal Reserve hinting at potential rate cuts in 2024. While the Fed does not directly set mortgage interest rates, its policies significantly influence them, as mortgage rates closely follow the yield on 10-year US Treasuries, which fluctuate based on expectations surrounding the Fed’s actions.
Projections from Bright MLS suggest that the average fixed-rate mortgage rate might fall to 6.5% by mid-year and further decline to 6.2% by year’s end. Sturtevant highlighted that lower rates would enhance affordability; for instance, the typical monthly payment on a $400,000 loan would decrease from approximately $3,000 at 7.5% to about $2,700 at 6.2%.
However, Sturtevant pointed out that the primary challenge for homebuyers remains the lack of inventory, which continues to keep home prices high and rising. “Young buyers are increasingly delaying home purchases as they struggle to save for down payments and often face multiple offers before succeeding,” she explained. “Many first-time buyers have been priced out of the market altogether.”
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the improvement in affordability as mortgage rates drop, the journey towards a balanced housing market is far from over. A recent Redfin report revealed that only 15.5% of homes for sale in 2023 were affordable for the typical U.S. household—the lowest share on record. This figure has significantly declined from 20.7% in 2022 and is down by over 40% from pre-pandemic levels.
The report also noted a record low in the actual number of affordable homes for sale. The study defined an “affordable” listing as one where the monthly mortgage payment does not exceed 30% of the county’s median income. In 2023, there were only 352,500 affordable listings, a 40.9% decrease from 2022 and a stark contrast to the over a million listings per year in the previous decade.
Hannah Jones, Realtor.com’s Senior Economic Researcher, observed that while both buyer and seller activity remains subdued, each incremental improvement in affordability slightly thaws the market. “Though recent data signals a shift towards a more hospitable housing market, the return to balance will be slow,” Jones stated.
Mortgage rates and home prices remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels and are projected to stay elevated through the next year. The median listing price for a home in the US was 37.7% higher than pre-pandemic levels in November, while for-sale inventory was 34.0% lower, as per Realtor.com.
“The housing market remains under-supplied, which will continue to exert upward pressure on prices, especially as buyer demand picks up,” Jones concluded. As mortgage rates drop, the housing market is poised at a critical juncture, offering both challenges and opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.
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