Balanced Market = Buy a House Now!

Should You Buy a House Now?

Today’s Real Estate Market:  In February of this year, and again in April, I talked about a strong seller’s market and my belief that the market would achieve some balance as we got further into the summer selling season.  It appears that my feeling was correct. 

I would call today’s market environment “A balanced market with a slight lean toward a seller’s market”. 

For Sellers:  You have not missed the boat but you would have been better off listing your house six weeks ago.

For Buyers:  With increased inventory you will now find that houses are still available a week or more after they are listed and you may even be the only buyer making an offer on the house you like. 

House Prices:  I believe that prices will hold at current levels through the summer.  In this market it will be important for you to work with a Realtor who understands the market and is a top-notch negotiator.

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Why You Should Buy a House Now
By Angela Colley | Money Talks News – Wed, Jun 26, 2013 8:26 AM EDT

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines of the housing market but your ultimate goal is to buy a house, Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson has a few words for you:

When it comes to buying or refinancing a house, I’ve got some advice.  Do it. And do it soon.  I can’t say what’s going to happen in next few months.  But over the next few years, odds are home prices with increase, and so will interest rates.  If you don’t buy a house now, one day you’ll look back and wish you had.

In the video below, Stacy explains why now is the time to buy a house. Check it out, then read on for more information.

Watch_Video   

Why buy a house: Prices have seen their lows

It’s no secret the nationwide housing market took a dive during the Great Recession, with prices plunging and Americans walking away from, or losing, their homes.

Fast-forward to today:  Pent-up demand, decreased supply and an improving economy are showing up as higher home prices.  According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, housing prices nationwide were 10.2 percent higher in the first quarter than they were in the first quarter of 2012.  And prices in some of the hardest-hit and most active markets jumped even more.  Phoenix saw a 22.5 percent increase, followed by San Francisco with 22.2 percent, and Las Vegas with 20.6 percent.

While every real estate market is local and it’s unlikely the recovery will continue at such a blistering pace, it’s safe to say the bottom in housing prices is behind us.

Another buy signal is the cost to own vs. rent.  Trulia found it’s cheaper to buy than rent in many markets.  For example, they say it’s 58 percent cheaper to buy in my hometown of New Orleans, assuming a 3.5 percent mortgage rate.  In Detroit, it’s 70 percent cheaper to buy than rent.  Statistics like these suggest more demand on the horizon.

Why buy: Rates have seen their lows

When Stacy shot the story above, just a few weeks ago, mortgage rates were bouncing along at historic lows – less than 4 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.  Today?  You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything as low.  

According to HSH.com, the days of rates below 4 percent may be fading.  It wrote at the end of last month:

While there is some reason to expect a little settling of rates after the market upset subsides, there is probably not a whole lot of space for rates to fall, and given the sensitive and nervous nature of the bond and stock markets at this point, probably somewhat more room to rise.  As such, over the next nine-week period, we think that the average overall 30-year fixed as measured by HSH’s FRMI will wander a path between 3.82% and 4.16%.

HSH found that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.63 percent on Monday, the Los Angeles Times says.

Nothing’s guaranteed.  If the economy weakens, both interest rates and home prices could pull back.  But if the recovery stays on track, it’s likely both rates and prices could rise further, suggesting it’s time to get off the fence and either take out a mortgage or refinance one.

Should you buy?

It’s never a good idea to buy anything — especially something as expensive and complicated as a house — without thoroughly thinking it through.  Consider these points before you start shopping:

• Can you afford it? Most lenders suggest not spending more than 28 percent of your gross income on housing.  That includes your mortgage payment, insurance and real estate taxes.  Sites like Zillow and Trulia will give you an idea of what to expect cost-wise.
• Do you have a down payment?  During the housing crunch, many lenders were asking for 20 percent down, but that’s changing.  Zillow says some lenders are accepting 10 percent down from buyers with good credit, and others are going as low as 5.  (FHA loans can be had for as little as 3.5 percent down.)  But remember:  The more you put down, the lower your monthly payment and the less interest you’ll pay overall.
• How’s your credit?  According to the Los Angeles Times, the average successful mortgage applicant had a 764 credit score.  Get your credit reports and scores at least six months, preferably a year, before you start applying and work on raising your numbers.  Lower credit scores mean higher rates, something that can cost tens of thousands in extra interest over the life of a mortgage loan.
• Are you staying put?  Homebuying is for the stable.  Because transaction costs are high, it can take years to break even.  If you’re unsure about your ability to stay put for at least five years, you may be better off renting.

How to get started

If now’s the time, here are the first steps:

• Get preapproved for a mortgage.  Preapproval means you’ve applied for a mortgage and the lender is prepared to cut the check.  Because it takes more time to qualify for a mortgage than some houses remain on the market, shopping without preapproval is a waste of time.
• Think before you shop. Make a wish list, including number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and yard size.  Focus on the features you need, then those you want.  And don’t overbuy. Remember, every extra square foot costs more to buy, maintain, heat, cool, furnish and clean.
• Find a real estate agent.  While you can certainly buy without one, an agent familiar with your favorite neighborhoods can save a lot of time.  Just be sure to take your time finding the right pro.