An optimistic outlook
Home-builder confidence is signaling high optimism about the future of the housing market, and a return to normalcy.
Home-builder confidence is signaling high optimism about the future of the housing market, and a return to normalcy.
Despite uncertainty in the economy and the housing market right now, there is little to suggest that the housing market is poised for a crash. Mortgage rates have pulled back enough to get both current and potential homebuyers into the market.
If you have been waiting for prices to drop, this summer may be the right time to buy your dream home. The housing market has shifted to be more buyer-friendly, even though sellers still hold a lot of cards.
With ongoing financial cloudiness, it’s hard to predict how the economy and housing market will perform. For now, housing prices are coming back down to earth.
Inventory remains low, but buyers are beginning to have better negotiating power. Even with this low inventory, the U.S. housing market remains dynamic and there are dramatic regional differences.
After 12 straight months of decline, homebuilder sentiment has finally ticked back up. Home builder confidence jumped in February by the largest amount in almost 10 years.
Housing experts are not in agreement. Predictions range from prices rising by around 5% this year, to as much as a 22% decline from the peak in 2022. What happens with inventory, mortgage rates, and the broader economy will likely determine which track the market takes.
Over the past year, the housing market underwent an about-face as rapidly rising mortgage rates dramatically slowed home sales activity. In 2023, the housing market is expected to continue its correction and the housing market should stabilize.
As we move into the colder months of the year, we can expect further declines in home prices. A new report shows homes are still selling in the United States, but prices aren’t going up nearly as fast as they were since early in the pandemic.
U.S. home prices are finally falling from a record high notched earlier this year; and while it depends on the specific market, some buyers are beginning to see a more normal buying experience.