For the first time since 2020, housing affordability improved year over year. This is largely due to a drop in mortgage rates, which have dipped from 7.07% to 6.09% over the past year. While this is undoubtedly great news for home buyers, affordability remains a challenge for many.  According to recent data, U.S. buyers now need to earn around $115,000 annually to afford the typical home, down 1.4% from last year. Yet, the average U.S. household earns only about $84,000 annually—27% less than what's needed to buy a median-priced home.  Because of this, many buyers are finding themselves in positions where compromise is a necessity. But that doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table. Navigating these compromises smartly can help ensure you still get a home you love without overspending or sacrificing too much on your wish list. Let’s dive into the most common compromises homebuyers are making in 2024, and how you can make decisions that work best for you. The Top Compromises Buyers Are Making Homes.com and Apartment Therapy recently conducted a survey on “The State of Home Buying,” asking 676 recent and prospective buyers, along with real estate professionals, about the home buying experience. According to the survey, here are the top compromises being made during the home search today: Condos and Townhomes are Growing in Popularity With single-family homes becoming less attainable for many, a significant percentage of buyers are shifting their focus to other property types. For those with a budget of less than $500,000, about 17% are now looking at condos and apartments, while 15% are exploring townhomes as an alternative. These property types often provide more affordable options for buyers in desirable locations or those seeking to stay within budget. While a condo may not offer the spacious yard or privacy of a single-family home, it can provide a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to shared amenities like gyms and pools. Of course, when looking at a condo or townhome, you’ll need to factor in any HOA fees to your monthly payment. Location, Location…Compromise? It’s no surprise that location is a top priority for homebuyers. But as prices rise in sought-after neighborhoods, many are adjusting their searches. Recent buyers report that they were willing to widen their search area to find homes that fit their budget. In fact, 21% of buyers purchased outside their ideal neighborhood, and a third of current buyers are considering doing the same. Being open to different areas can make all the difference in a competitive market. Expanding your search radius just a few miles can open up more affordable options that still meet your needs. How to Make Smart Compromises Without Regret Knowing where to compromise — and where to stand firm — is key to navigating today’s housing market. Here are some tips to help you make informed decisions: 1. Prioritize What You Can’t Change While it may be tempting to focus on cosmetic features like flooring or paint color, those are often the easiest and most affordable changes you can make after purchasing a home. Instead, focus on the non-negotiables that are difficult to alter, such as the home’s layout, structural integrity, and location. 2. Keep Your Future Needs in Mind As you search for a home, think about your current lifestyle and your future needs. Will this property suit your needs for the next five to ten years? Buying a condo now may seem like a great way to stay within budget, but if you’re planning to expand your family or want more space in the near future, it could lead to another home search sooner than anticipated. 3. Stick to Your Budget While it may be tempting to stretch your budget to get a home you love, overextending yourself financially could lead to significant stress down the road.  Determine your monthly housing budget—and when looking at properties, be sure to factor in everything from your mortgage interest and principal, property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA fees. Sticking to your budget ensures that you’re prepared not only for these payments but also for unexpected expenses that may arise after you move in. Compromise Doesn’t Have to Mean Settling By focusing on what truly matters — like location, structural integrity, and your long-term goals — and remaining flexible on other aspects, you’ll be well-positioned to make a smart purchase. And remember, working with an experienced real estate agent can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the process, helping you make decisions with confidence. In the end, buying a home is about finding the right balance between compromise and fulfillment — and with careful planning, your next home could be just that.

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  By now, you’ve probably heard about the news: the Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates for the first time in four years.    But what does that really mean for home buyers and sellers? You might be wondering how this impacts mortgage rates, home prices, or your ability to make a move in today’s market. Understanding these changes could be your key to making smart real estate decisions—so let’s break it down. A Closer Look at the Fed’s Decision On September 18, 2024, Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced during his press conference that “We have in fact begun the cutting cycle now.”    The Fed began its rate-cutting cycle with a half percentage point (50 basis points) reduction. This decision was expected, and experts believe more cuts could be made before the end of the year.   Keep in mind that the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates. However, its decisions influence the financial markets, which is why mortgage rates started to drop this summer. Over the past year, we saw mortgage rates as high as 7.79% (October 2023), but they’ve recently fallen to around 6.20% (September 2024).    For you, this could mean better affordability when buying a home or more opportunities if you're planning to sell. How do mortgage rates impact purchasing power? The recent decline in mortgage rates works in favor of buyers.    Lower mortgage rates mean you can afford more house for the same monthly payment. In fact, a 1% drop in mortgage rates can significantly boost your buying power. According to Realtor.com, “a buyer who budgeted to buy the typical home in 2023 now has an extra $70,000 in home purchasing power for the same monthly cost.”    Those sticking to a house at the same price point can see significant month-to-month savings. Mortgage rate shifts have led to $300 monthly savings compared to May 2024 and $340 savings compared to October 2023, assuming a 20% down payment on a typical home purchase.    That’s a big deal for buyers. Will mortgage rates continue to decline? No one expects mortgage rates to take a nosedive. In fact, after Powell’s press conference, mortgage rates actually increased slightly—from 6.15% to 6.17%, according to Mortgage News Daily.    Zelman & Associates’ managing director Alan Ratner explained why in a recent interview, which took place before the Fed’s rate cut. He stated that the early September drop in rates was due to the “mortgage market already pricing in a Fed easing cycle.”    “We’ve seen mortgage rates already pull back roughly 100 basis points from the high, so the Fed simply announcing this week…that shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the mortgage market,” Ratner said.    However, that doesn’t mean rates will go up, either. Ratner continued, “Over time, we do expect to see rates gradually decline as inflation remains tame.”   While there may be some fluctuation in rates, other experts agree that rates will likely continue a downward trend over time. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s, believes that “the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will be closing in on 6.0% by the end of the year and settle in near 5.5% by the end of 2025.”    In addition, Fannie Mae revised its mortgage rate forecast and now expects mortgage rates to decline to 5.7% by the end of 2025.    Will the lock-in effect finally break? One of the biggest challenges for the housing market over the past two years has been the so-called “lock-in effect.” Homeowners who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates during the pandemic have been reluctant to sell, knowing they’d have to take a new mortgage at a higher rate. But with mortgage rates now trending downward, this effect might start to ease.   As Powell pointed out during the press conference, “As rates come down, people will start to move more, and that is probably beginning to happen already.”    This shift could lead to more inventory hitting the market, but Powell was careful to note that this wouldn’t necessarily create a surge in demand. “When that happens, you’ve got a seller, but you’ve also got a new buyer in many cases. So it is not obvious how much additional demand that would make,” he said.   Will home prices go up or down? The question everyone wants an answer to is whether home prices will rise if more buyers take advantage of lower mortgage rates. Powell addressed this concern, saying, “The housing market, it’s hard to game that out… The real issue with housing is that we have had, and are on track to continue to have, not enough housing.”   In other words, even as nationwide inventory  has seen an increase, supply constraints are still a major issue. The supply of homes plays a huge role in determining prices. So, while more buyers may enter the market if mortgage rates decline, the overall impact on prices will depend on how much inventory is available.  Final Thoughts The Fed’s recent rate cut is a big deal for the housing market. While it’s hard to predict exactly how things will unfold, one thing is clear: lower mortgage rates are creating opportunities. If you want to dive into local data for The Valley here in AZ, or are interested in what today’s mortgage rates mean for you, reach out here to schedule a discovery call 602.551.6994

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A little backstory:  Back in March, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a settlement deal. The organization agreed to both a monetary settlement as well as real estate practice changes aimed at providing more transparency regarding how real estate agents are paid.  But how exactly does that change things for you? There are two main differences you may be hearing about: Offers of compensation for buyer brokers or buyer agents can no longer be made on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Real estate agents must enter into a written agreement with a homebuyer before giving them a tour of a property. Headlines might make these changes seem overwhelming. And while some of the paperwork is new, the reality is that the majority of professionals in the industry will continue to provide the same service they always have. To help you get a better understanding of what this means for you, here are six key things home buyers and sellers should know about the changes going into effect on August 17, 2024.  What Changes Mean For Homebuyers #1—Homebuyer Agreements Your real estate agent needs to have a written agreement signed before they can show you homes. This doesn’t mean you are locked in for life—some agreements can be for one property, some for one week, and some for a longer period of time.  Be sure to ask about the different options available when interviewing buyer agents, and make sure you understand exactly what services are included. #2—Know What You're Paying For This agreement will clearly outline your agent's compensation. If the agreement is not specific, or if you have questions, ask for clarification (and get it in writing) before signing anything.  And, just like before, agent fees are negotiable. This settlement doesn't change that. #3—Seller Deals Still Exist Sellers can still offer to cover some of your closing costs, and even the buyer agent fees, as an incentive. While you won't see the seller’s offers to buyer agents on the MLS listings anymore, that doesn't mean they're gone. Your agent can find out if the seller is offering buyer agent compensation (or negotiate for it should you decide to make an offer on a property).  What Changes Mean For Home Sellers #1—The Power of Choice You’re still in control! You can decide if you want to offer compensation to buyer brokers. When interviewing your listing agent, ask about the pros and cons of offering buyer agent compensation to help you determine what the best option is for your situation.  #2—Transparent Terms Your listing agent must obtain your approval before making any offer of payment to buyer brokers. If you choose to offer compensation, the terms must be transparent and made in writing—including how much and how it will be paid.  #3—MLS Dos and Don’ts As a seller, you can no longer put offers of buyer broker compensation on the MLS. (This must happen off MLS.) However, you can still offer buyer concessions on the MLS, like buyer closing costs.  Final Thoughts These changes are designed to make the process of agent compensation when buying or selling a home more transparent. That being said, there are going to be different options available, so it’s important you take the time to understand them all. By working with a knowledgeable real estate agent, you can ensure that your home buying or selling experience is positive and successful.  For more information about these changes, visit facts.realtor  or reach out to one of our sales agents.

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