Inman News in October 2023 reports that in September, a record 84% of Americans surveyed by Fannie Mae expressed pessimism about buying a home, with high mortgage rates being a major concern. This marks a shift as elevated mortgage rates now outweigh high home prices as the primary reason for the negative sentiment. Only 17% of respondents believed that mortgage rates would decrease in the next year, and 23% expected home prices to drop during the same period.
Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist, Doug Duncan, pointed out that consumers are also facing economic strains, such as lower household incomes and job security concerns, contributing to a lack of affordability in the housing market. Fannie Mae’s forecast predicts a 17.4% decrease in home sales in 2023, with a minimal recovery in 2024 and the possibility of a mild recession in the first half of the year. In summary, the article highlights growing pessimism among potential homebuyers, primarily due to high mortgage rates, with affordability concerns likely to persist into the foreseeable future.
Inman News also writes on Oct. 25: the recent trends in the mortgage market, highlighting a decrease in mortgage demand to the lowest level since 1995. This decline is attributed to a continuous rise in mortgage rates over seven consecutive weeks. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey reveals that applications for purchase loans were down by 2% compared to the previous week and 22% lower than the same period in the previous year. In contrast, applications for refinancing increased by 2% week over week but were down 8% year-over-year.
The rise in mortgage rates is linked to increasing yields on 10-year Treasury notes, which impact mortgage rates. This surge in rates has led to the 30-year fixed mortgage rate reaching 7.9%, the highest level since 2000. The article also mentions that rates on 30-year fixed-rate loans have been approaching 8%, with some sources reporting rates as high as 7.98%.
Factors contributing to the rising rates include concerns about global economic conditions, the possibility of higher U.S. borrowing, geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, and expectations that the Federal Reserve may pursue a “higher for longer” rate strategy. While the Federal Reserve is not expected to raise rates immediately, investors are demanding a larger “term premium” to account for the risk posed by rate volatility.
The article also notes that the recent increase in long-term bond yields may have the unintended effect of cooling the economy and curbing inflation, potentially leading to a less hawkish stance on interest rates by the Federal Reserve. However, the odds of an imminent Fed rate hike appear low, with the CME FedWatch Tool indicating a zero percent chance of a rate increase in the next week, and a reduced probability of a small rate hike in December.
In summary, the article highlights the recent surge in mortgage rates, which has led to decreased demand for mortgages, and the various economic and geopolitical factors contributing to these rate fluctuations.
In conclusion, the real estate landscape is undergoing a transformation, marked by a decrease in buyer confidence and a notable increase in mortgage rates. As the market adapts to these changes, it’s imperative for potential homebuyers to remain informed and adaptable. While buyer numbers may be dwindling, this market shift presents a unique opportunity for sellers. With fewer buyers in the market, sellers can benefit from a more focused and motivated pool of potential buyers. We encourage you to reach out to our team today to discuss your real estate goals, whether it’s buying or selling, and to strategize how to leverage the evolving market dynamics to your advantage.
