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Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions an individual will ever make. Our real estate reporters and editors focus on educating consumers about this life-changing transaction and how to navigate the complex and ever-changing housing market. From finding an agent to closing and beyond, our goal is to help you feel confident that you're making the best, and smartest, real estate deal possible. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Inflation isn’t done with the American public yet. After a modest (0.1) percent rise in August, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in September, led by large increases in the cost of food, medical care — and shelter. While shelter rose 0.7 percent overall, both the rent index and the homeowners’ equivalent rent index rose 0.8 percent in September. The latter is the largest monthly increase in that index since June 1990. The Federal Reserve responded, as it has all year, with another interest rate hike. That means higher rates on many mortgage types, and — for homebuyers overall — continued elevated home prices in the months to come. To bring inflation back to Earth, the Federal Reserve has been steadily raising rates — five times so far in 2022, with the latest hike on Sept. 22. Those actions have indirectly , with the average recently . As of July, average monthly mortgage payments were up — from $1,240 (2021) to $1,861 (2022), according to the latest National Association of Realtors “Housing Affordability Index.” What s happening in the housing market now
Nationally, home prices rose 13.5 percent year-over-year in August, reports. While that , it’s still high by historical standards, and inflation isn’t helping matters. In a persistent trend, both homebuyers and sellers feel less optimistic about their prospects, according to . “The HPSI [] declined this month to its lowest level since October 2011,” said Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae senior vice President and chief economist, in a statement. “Consumers’ expectation that home prices will decrease matched a survey high, with a higher percentage of consumers believing home prices will decrease rather than increase over the next year – a shift in survey sentiment that had previously only happened in 2011 and at the start of the pandemic in 2020. “Moreover, 75 percent of consumers still think it’s a bad time to buy a home, with most citing high home prices and unfavorable economic and mortgage rate conditions as primary reasons.” Should you wait for inflation to come down
With inflation still weighing on the economy and housing market, ? What about ? If you can’t make the numbers work, it’s OK to wait things out instead of buying a home today to beat increased prices and rates, especially if you’re a . While you’d be putting off building equity, you might find you’re in a better position to buy in the future, when the market cools and your income potentially has had an opportunity to grow. “Even when inflation does come down on a consistent basis, it doesn’t mean prices falling; it just means prices not rising as fast,” says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate. “For homebuyers, a more modest pace of appreciation or even a period of stagnant home prices can allow for incomes to grow further. Rather than stretching too much now, you may be able to buy a bit more comfortably in a couple of years if your income growth outpaces home price growth. But there are no guarantees, and rents have certainly spiked in the meantime.” That said, the circumstances of your life might require you to buy a home now, and that’s as acceptable a reason as any. Because you’re buying at the peak or near-peak of the market, be prepared to stay in the home for a while if you want to . For sellers, the tides are turning. Depending on where you live, you could find fewer takers, or need to come down on price. Let’s not forget what happens on the other side of the transaction: When you go to purchase your next place to live, you’ll be competing for a limited number of available properties — and now likely obtaining a new mortgage at a higher rate, to boot. If you’re set on buying now, you can try stretching your dollars by: Putting your down-payment savings in a high-yield account – One upside to inflation and the Fed’s response: higher interest rates on . If you aren’t already, put your down payment contributions in a high-yield account. Just make sure the account allows you to access your money easily when it comes time for closing — some online savings accounts take three days to deliver your funds when you withdraw. Considering a mortgage lender with low or no fees – While it might be more convenient to get a mortgage at your bank, banks typically charge an origination fee, often 1 percent of the amount you borrow. Many non-bank and online lenders don’t, so if you can find a with attractive rates, you’ll keep more money in your pocket. Locking in your mortgage rate – When you find a lender and are applying for a loan, ask about . Now’s not the time to take a chance on your monthly mortgage payment suddenly soaring in price, right before you’re set to close. SHARE: Suzanne De Vita is the mortgage editor for Bankrate, focusing on mortgage and real estate topics for homebuyers, homeowners, investors and renters. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Related Articles