2020 was a very stressful and challenging year. The pandemic disrupted home sales in the spring of 2020 but the market made a quick rebound towards the end of the year. Will 2021 continue to be as successful as the end of 2020? Here are the 2021 real estate trends you need to know.
Housing inventory is incredibly low across the country. There are just not enough houses for sale to meet the buyer demand. What does this mean for current and future buyers? Low inventory means that you have to act quickly when you go house hunting as houses will be bought quickly. Here is some advice for when you want to buy a home when there is low inventory:
Low inventory for sellers means that you have low selling competition and will most likely sell your home quickly. You can also pick the best offer available to you without running the risk of losing offers.
In November of 2020, existing home prices grew by over 15% compared to last year. This is a positive for sellers as it means the market will continue to grow and be in their favor.
Homes will go fast during a seller’s market and at a higher price. If you plan to build during this type of market, it is important to create a budget and find out how much you can afford. Commit to staying within that budget and do not feel pressure to overspend to get your hands on a house.
To feel confident about buying a home in a seller’s market, follow these tips:
Use our mortgage calculator to figure out a monthly payment and create a budget you can handle. After creating a budget, work with an expert agent to find houses for sale within your price range.
A nice profit could be coming your way! To get the best offer for your home, work with an experienced real estate agent who really knows your local market and be sure to wait for the right offer. If you are not in a hurry to move, wait for an offer that gives you the most profit.
The average mortgage interest rate has been very low lately. In fact, the average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 2.31% in November 2020—the lowest it’s been since Freddie Mac started reporting nearly 30 years ago. Economists believe interest rates will continue to hover around 3% in 2021, which is still pretty low.
Interest rates can help with affordability but be careful not to let that pressure you into buying a house when you are not truly ready. A low-interest rate on a house you cannot afford is still a bad idea. Remember to stick to our advice on monthly payment limit, down payment amount, and mortgage type to keep yourself on track when buying a home.
If interest rates stay low, buyers will continue to be more motivated to buy your home sooner than later. But, if interest rates do start to increase later in the year, plan for your house to be on the market a little longer. If you do not plan on moving anytime soon, you might still be able to take advantage of these super-low interest rates and shorten your payment schedule by refinancing your mortgage.
Online services are now offering to buy and sell your house for you due to the seller's market we are currently living in. Companies like Zillow or Opendoor will buy your house from you, put some money into it to resell it at a higher price, handle all home processing procedures like inspections, repairs, and home showings, and then charge you the same as an agent commission for selling costs. These companies may seem appealing because they promise less hassle, but it may mean less profit for you than if you worked with a real estate agent.
Hybrid services like Redfin aim to reduce traditional agent commissions by handling things all online. This gives you partial services that are similar to working with an agent, but for a fraction of the cost. Think of it as a middle ground between selling with an agent and selling by yourself. But, when selling a home, be wary of the middle ground as this can lead to either selling at a low price or overspending on fees.
Digital technology makes it easier to handle document-based tasks virtually. Many home transactions are using electronic signature apps and remote online notarization to streamline the process. There is a chance you can buy or sell a house this year without getting out of your car or ever leaving your current home.
There are some newer “creative” ways to purchase a trending home, but be careful as these can be risky and dangerous.
If you are itching to buy a home but cannot quite afford it yet, some sellers like to offer a rent-to-own agreement. In this deal, you agree to rent the home for a specific amount of time (could be several months to several years) before becoming the owner. The plus side of rent-to-own is that it allows you to bypass the time it takes to save for a down payment and move into a house fast. Also, it means you don’t have to qualify for a mortgage right away.
The downside of rent-to-own is that it makes your rent more expensive because some of your monthly payments will go toward future homeownership. If you later decide you don’t want to buy the house or something breaks your contract, all those extra payments will have been a waste. This option may leave you in a very vulnerable place financially. It is best to wait to buy a home when you can fully afford to instead of risking your finances.
Another risky buying option that you should avoid is taking out a personal loan to fund a down payment. Purchasing a home with no money down is never a good idea. Buying a house with anything less than a 10-20% down payment will rob you of your other financial goals by having you pay too much extra in interest and fees.
Whether you are selling or buying or doing both at the same time, you can take advantage of the current trends by letting HomeHunt find you a professional real estate agent. Our team will match you with agents we recommend in your area and ensure that you find your dream home.