by John Nyiszter | Feb 29, 2024 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. And if you look at the current number of homes for sale, you’ll see two reasons why.
An article from Calculated Risk shows there are 15.6% more homes for sale now compared to the same week last year. That tells us inventory has grown. But going back to 2019, the last normal year in the housing market, there are nearly 40% fewer homes available now:
Here’s a breakdown of how this benefits you when you sell.
1. You Have More Options for Your Move
Are you thinking about selling because your current house is too big, too small, or because your needs have changed? If so, the year-over-year growth gives you more options for your home search. That means it may be less of a challenge to find what you’re looking for.
So, if you were holding off on selling because you were worried you weren’t going to find a home you like, this may be just the good news you needed. Partnering with a local real estate professional can help you make sure you’re up to date on the homes available in your area.
2. You Still Won’t Have Much Competition When You Sell
But to put that into perspective, even though there are more homes for sale now, there still aren’t as many as there’d be in a normal year. Remember, the data from Calculated Risk shows we’re down nearly 40% compared to 2019. And that large a deficit won’t be solved overnight. As a recent article from Realtor.com explains:
“. . . the number of homes for sale and new listing activity continues to improve compared to last year. However the inventory of homes for sale still has a long journey back to pre-pandemic levels.”
For you, that means if you work with an agent to price your house right, it should still get a lot of attention from eager buyers and could sell fast.
Bottom Line
If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, now’s a good time. You’ll have more options when buying your next home, and there’s still not a ton of competition from other sellers. If you’re ready to move, let’s connect to get the ball rolling.
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by John Nyiszter | Feb 29, 2024 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
If you’re holding out hope that the housing market is going to crash and bring home prices back down, here’s a look at what the data shows. And spoiler alert: that’s not in the cards. Instead, experts say home prices are going to keep going up.
Today’s market is very different than it was before the housing crash in 2008. Here’s why.
It’s Harder To Get a Loan Now – and That’s Actually a Good Thing
It was much easier to get a home loan during the lead-up to the 2008 housing crisis than it is today. Back then, banks had different lending standards, making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance an existing one.
Things are different today. Homebuyers face increasingly higher standards from mortgage companies. The graph below uses data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to show this difference. The lower the number, the harder it is to get a mortgage. The higher the number, the easier it is:
The peak in the graph shows that, back then, lending standards weren’t as strict as they are now. That means lending institutions took on much greater risk in both the person and the mortgage products offered around the crash. That led to mass defaults and a flood of foreclosures coming onto the market.
There Are Far Fewer Homes for Sale Today, so Prices Won’t Crash
Because there were too many homes for sale during the housing crisis (many of which were short sales and foreclosures), that caused home prices to fall dramatically. But today, there’s an inventory shortage – not a surplus.
The graph below uses data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Federal Reserve to show how the months’ supply of homes available now (shown in blue) compares to the crash (shown in red):
Today, unsold inventory sits at just a 3.0-months’ supply. That’s compared to the peak of 10.4 month’s supply back in 2008. That means there’s nowhere near enough inventory on the market for home prices to come crashing down like they did back then.
People Are Not Using Their Homes as ATMs Like They Did in the Early 2000s
Back in the lead up to the housing crash, many homeowners were borrowing against the equity in their homes to finance new cars, boats, and vacations. So, when prices started to fall, as inventory rose too high, many of those homeowners found themselves underwater.
But today, homeowners are a lot more cautious. Even though prices have skyrocketed in the past few years, homeowners aren’t tapping into their equity the way they did back then.
Black Knight reports that tappable equity (the amount of equity available for homeowners to access before hitting a maximum 80% loan-to-value ratio, or LTV) has actually reached an all-time high:
That means, as a whole, homeowners have more equity available than ever before. And that’s great. Homeowners are in a much stronger position today than in the early 2000s. That same report from Black Knight goes on to explain:
“Only 1.1% of mortgage holders (582K) ended the year underwater, down from 1.5% (807K) at this time last year.”
And since homeowners are on more solid footing today, they’ll have options to avoid foreclosure. That limits the number of distressed properties coming onto the market. And without a flood of inventory, prices won’t come tumbling down.
Bottom Line
While you may be hoping for something that brings prices down, that’s not what the data tells us is going to happen. The most current research clearly shows that today’s market is nothing like it was last time.
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by John Nyiszter | Nov 7, 2023 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
New Jersey Housing Market Update: A Lucrative Opportunity
The real estate market in New Jersey has been a topic of avid discussion lately. Investors, homeowners, and prospective buyers are all keen to understand the current trends and potential opportunities. In this housing market update, we will delve into the dynamic landscape of New Jersey’s real estate market, providing you with insights and valuable information you need to make informed decisions.
Booming Real Estate in the Garden State
New Jersey’s real estate market has been experiencing substantial growth, making it a prime location for both investors and homebuyers. The Garden State offers a unique blend of urban conveniences and natural beauty, which has contributed to its real estate resurgence.
Key Market Trends
Rising Demand
The demand for real estate in New Jersey is on the upswing. The proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia makes it an attractive location for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with easy access to urban centers.
Competitive Prices
While prices have been steadily rising, New Jersey still offers competitive rates when compared to neighboring cities. Savvy buyers can find excellent investment opportunities and affordable homes in the current market.
Diverse Neighborhoods
New Jersey boasts diverse neighborhoods, each with its unique charm and character. From the historical streets of Princeton to the beachfront properties along the Jersey Shore, there’s something for everyone.
Strong Rental Market
Investors have found New Jersey’s rental market to be particularly profitable. With a steady stream of tenants, rental properties are a viable option for generating consistent income.
Location Matters
When considering the New Jersey housing market, it’s crucial to pay attention to the specific areas within the state. Northern New Jersey offers a more urban experience, with proximity to New York City, while the southern part provides a more relaxed, coastal lifestyle.
Opportunities Await
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, the New Jersey real estate market offers a wealth of opportunities. The current trends indicate a promising future for this state, making it an ideal time to explore the housing market.
In conclusion, New Jersey’s housing market is a thriving landscape with ample opportunities for individuals and investors alike. As demand continues to rise and competitive prices persist, it’s a wise choice to explore what the Garden State has to offer. With its diverse neighborhoods and strong rental market, New Jersey is poised to be a lucrative destination for those looking to make a real estate move.
John Nyiszter, Realtor with New & Modern Group LLC,
by John Nyiszter | Oct 23, 2023 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
Why Home Prices Keep Going Up
If you’ve ever dreamed of buying your own place, or selling your current house to upgrade, you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions changing home prices can stir up. It’s a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through.
But if you put off moving because you’re worried home prices might drop, make no mistake, they’re not going down. In fact, it’s just the opposite. National data from several sources says they’ve been going up consistently this year (see graph below):
Here’s what this graph shows. In the first half of 2022, home prices rose significantly (the green bars on the left side of the graphs above). Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable.
So, in the second half of the year, prices went through a correction and started dipping a bit (shown in red). But those slight declines were shallow and short-lived. Still, the media really focused on those drops in their headlines – and that created a lot of fear and uncertainty among consumers.
But here’s what hasn’t been covered fully. So far in 2023, prices are going up once more, but this time at a more normal pace (the green bars on the right side of the graphs above). And after price gains that were too high and then the corrections that followed in 2022, the fact that all three reports show more normal or typical price appreciation this year is good news for the housing market.
Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains changing home prices over the past 12 months this way:
“The U.S. housing market has surged over the past year after a temporary hiccup from July 2022-January 2023. . . . That downturn has proven to be short lived as housing has rebounded impressively so far in 2023. . .”
Looking ahead, home price appreciation typically starts to ease up this time of year. As that happens, there’s some risk the media will confuse slowing price growth (deceleration of appreciation) with home prices falling (depreciation). Don’t be fooled. Slower price growth is still growth.
Why Are Home Prices Increasing Now?
One reason why home prices are going back up is because there still aren’t enough homes for sale for all the people who want to buy them.
Even though higher mortgage rates cause buyer demand to moderate, they also cause the supply of available homes to go down. That’s because of the mortgage rate lock-in effect. When rates rise, some homeowners are reluctant to sell and lose their current low mortgage rate just to take on a higher one for their next home.
So, with higher mortgage rates impacting both buyers and sellers, the supply and demand equation of the housing market has been affected. But since there are still more people who want to purchase homes than there are homes available to buy, prices continue to rise. As Freddie Mac states:
“While rising interest rates have reduced affordability—and therefore demand—they have also reduced supply through the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Overall, it appears the reduction in supply has outweighed the decrease in demand, thus house prices have started to increase . . .”
Here’s How This Impacts You
- Buyers: If you’ve been waiting to buy a home because you were afraid its value might drop, knowing that home prices have gone back up should make you feel better. Buying a home gives you a chance to own something that usually becomes more valuable over time.
- Sellers: If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you were worried about how changing home prices would impact its value, it could be a smart move to work with a real estate agent and put your house on the market. You don’t have to wait any longer because the most recent data indicates home prices have turned in your favor.
Bottom Line
If you put off moving because you were worried that home prices might go down, data shows they’re increasing across the country. Let’s connect so you can understand how home prices are changing in our local area.
by John Nyiszter | Oct 12, 2023 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
Growing Your Net Worth with Homeownership
Take a moment to imagine where you want to be in a few years. You might be thinking about your job, money, wanting more stability, or goals you want to reach soon. Is homeownership a part of that vision? If it is, you should know owning a home has a whole lot of financial benefits.
One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a great way to build wealth and gain financial stability. That’s because the value of most homes increases over time, which in turn grows your net worth. Here’s how home values are rising right now. According to Zillow:
“The total value of the U.S. housing market – the sum of Zillow’s estimated value for every U.S. home – is now slightly less than $52 trillion, which is $1.1 trillion higher than the previous peak reached last June.”
Basically, homeownership is a tremendous wealth-building tool. And with home values back on the rise across the nation, now might be a good time to consider if owning a home is something you want to reach for.
Here’s a look at some data to see how much owning a home can really make a difference in your life.
Household Net Worth Is Rising
Data shows that while those in the top 1% saw the most dramatic net worth increase, people from every single tax bracket have seen their wealth grow over the past few years (see graph below):
For many of those people, the rising value of their home plays a big part in that.
Owning a Home Helps You Achieve Financial Success
You can tell homeownership had a lot to do with that growth because there’s a significant net worth gap between homeowners and renters. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
“. . . homeownership is a catalyst for building wealth for people from all walks of life. A monthly mortgage payment is often considered a forced savings account that helps homeowners build a net worth about 40 times higher than that of a renter.”
The big reason why? Homeowner’s build equity. Home equity is the value of your home minus the amount you owe on your mortgage. And for most homeowners, that’s the largest contributor to their net worth. Here’s the data from First American to prove it (see graph below):
The blue portion of each bar represents housing as a portion of net worth – and it’s clearly a bigger contributor than other investments like stocks, gold, and cryptocurrencies. As you can see, across different income levels, homeownership does more to build the average household’s wealth than anything else.
Bottom Line
One of the biggest benefits of owning a home is that it can provide an avenue to grow your net worth. Let’s connect so you can start investing in homeownership.
by John Nyiszter | Oct 12, 2023 | condo owners, condos, First Time Home Buyers, FSBO, Home Owners, Home Sellers, investment properties, luxury homes, townhome owners, Uncategorized
Are Grandparents Moving To Be Closer to Their Grandkids?
During the pandemic, many people distanced themselves from their loved ones for health reasons. Grandparents were told to stay away from their grandkids, especially as schools started to open. That’s because it would have been risky to visit with their grandchildren who may have gotten sick from school.
Now that the pandemic has passed, many grandparents want more than ever to be near their grandchildren again to make up for that lost time. But how are they getting that “Grandparent Wish?” The data tells us many are moving to make sure they’re getting more quality time.
Grandparents Are Moving To Be Near Loved Ones
Recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows people between the ages of 55 and 74 are moving farther (more than 100 miles) than any other age group (see graph below):
The average age of grandparents in the U.S. is 67 years. The logical leap is that at least some of the people who are moving the furthest are grandparents. But what’s causing them to move so far?
The same report from NAR shows the top reason people move is to be closer to loved ones (see graph below):
Based on this data, it’s fair to say many grandparents are getting their wish of more quality time with their grandchildren by moving to be closer to them. And after experiencing isolation and loneliness during the COVID pandemic, that’s an especially good thing.
If you’re a grandparent, you know how important your grandchildren are. And you may be willing to sell and move just to be closer by. As Vance Cariaga, a journalist at Go Bank Rates, explains:
“Never underestimate the power of grandchildren – especially when it comes to lifestyle and financial decisions. Recent data shows that many baby boomers are relocating further away from home than they used to so they can be closer to their grandbabies.”
Bottom Line
The data shows grandparents are moving further to be near their grandchildren. If you have grandchildren of your own, maybe you can relate. When you decide it’s time to be closer to your loved ones, let’s connect.
