9 MINUTE READ Wow, 2019 was quite a year for the U.S. housing market. Median home prices went all the way up to $316,000—a record high!1 Will 2020 bring more of the same results? How will the housing market shake out in the current economic climate? Whether you’re selling, buying or staying put, here are the 2020 real estate trends you need to know! Okay, let’s start with home prices. Overall, home prices grew slower in 2019 (3.3%) than in 2018 (5%). And this year seems like it will be no different. In fact, real estate gurus predict that home prices will only rise by 2.8% in 2020.2 So, you’ll likely see home prices continue to creep up, but they probably won’t knock your socks off with rapid growth like we’ve seen in previous years. Real estate gurus predict that home prices will only rise by 2.8% in 2020.2 A nice profit may be on the horizon! But also keep in mind that a lot of buyers are being priced out of the market at the moment, which could lead to fewer offers for your home. So, what should you do about this? Be aware of your competition. With less offers to go around, you want your home to really stand out from similar ones in your area. Prepare your home for potential home buyers and work with a real estate agent to help you list your home at the right price. And be sure to wait for the right offer. Some buyers may try to gut punch you with a low number. If you aren’t in a hurry to move, wait for an offer that gives you the most profit. Remember, the less desperate person always has the upper hand when negotiating! If you’re going to buy a home in this expensive market, you absolutely must find out how much house you can really afford. Crunch the numbers and figure out a monthly payment your budget can handle. Commit to staying within that budget amount. Don’t rush into a home purchase that doesn’t make financial sense for you no matter how much pressure you feel watching competitors pluck good homes off the market. You could screw up your finances! If you can’t put down at least 10% on a 15-year fixed-rate conventional loan, then you probably can’t afford a house in this market. A down payment that’s less than 10% will strangle your budget with massive monthly mortgage payments. But if you want to get prepared to buy and you’re committed to your budget, here are some options to consider: Mortgage interest rates have been going down in 2019—steadily dropping below 4% for common types of loans. In 2020, economist geeks think interest rates will stay around 3.7% for a 30-year mortgage and 3.2% for a 15 year mortgage. The only type of mortgage we recommend. But this is never a guarantee because things like tariffs and trade wars might gradually shift the economy, which could result in the Federal Reserve slowly increasing interest rates to balance things out. If interest rates stay low, buyers will be more motivated to buy your home sooner than later. But if interest rates do start to increase later in the year, just plan for your house to be on the market a little longer. A mortgage is a big commitment, and adding higher interest rates to the mix will make many buyers pause. An experienced real estate agent can help you set expectations for how much you can make, and how long you’ll have to wait for the right offer. Even though interest rates are relatively low, if you’re not buying with cash, be smart and go for a conventional 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. That way, you know exactly what your payment will be over the life of the loan. That’s right, our final trend is about who is buying homes. And once again, millennials took the lead as the largest group (37%) of home buyers last year.6 What is a millennial exactly? Well, the nerdy answer is anyone born between 1980 and 1998. The easiest way to spot a millennial home buyer? They can’t wait to post a pic of their new home on Instagram! Here are three important words: Know your buyer. In a nutshell, millennials are internet savvy and do their research before house shopping. Here are some tips: Okay, if you’re looking for a three-bedroom, single-family home in the suburbs, expect to have a lot of competition. You may have to reprioritize what you want in a dream home. Follow these tips: You may be thinking, All this is great, but I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. We hear you, and here’s what you should know for now: With most housing markets at low risk for a downturn, the 2019 Housing and Mortgage Market Review estimates home prices will continue to rise for the next couple of years.Woo-hoo for sellers! If you sell your house before 2022, you’ll likely still make a nice profit. Continue to monitor how much your home is worth to make sure your equity (what your home is worth minus how much you owe on it) is going up. Ask Shelley for a FREE Report. With price growth slowing down, some folks are wondering if the housing market could collapse again. Well, it’s impossible to know for sure, but a number of factors indicate a housing crash is unlikely—as long as tariffs and trade wars don’t cause a dramatic ripple effect. But economists say we seem to be in good shape since people are spending money and new job opportunities keep popping up. Since home prices have experienced rapid growth over the past few years, some buyers may be less choosy. In fact, determined ones might be willing to consider neighborhoods that don’t have easy access to highways or aren’t in close proximity to a big city. If you think you live in an unpopular neighborhood or believe your home isn’t what buyers are looking for, think again. Now may be your perfect time to consider selling. Whether you’re selling or buying, you can take advantage of the current trends by partnering with a professional real estate agent. Who you work with matters! Call Shelley Dawson, a Client Focused, Results Driven Agent about next steps! 407-492-1900 or shelley@shelleydawson.comReal Estate Trend #1: Home Prices Are Still Rising Slowly
What Higher Prices Mean for Sellers
What Higher Prices Mean for Buyers
Real Estate Trend #2: Mortgage Interest Rates Are on the Decline (for Now)
What Lower Rates Mean for Sellers
What Lower Rates Mean for Buyers
Real Estate Trend #3: The Majority of Home Buyers Are Still Millennials
What Millennial Buyers Mean for Sellers
What Millennial Buyers Mean for Buyers
What If I’m Not Buying or Selling a Home This Year?
1. Equity is unlikely to decrease through 2020.
2. From what we can see, the real estate market is not going to crash.
3. Regardless of your neighborhood, buyers are interested.
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