According to the latest estimates, the U.S. is facing a housing shortfall of several million homes. That means there are far more people looking to buy (demand) than there are homes for sale (supply). That mismatch is the key reason why prices won’t fall at the national level.
Our company typically chooses to spotlight another local business, but this month, the business we had lined up for July had to reschedule the article. This gave us an opportunity to provide an update on two real estate topics. First, to explain the trends we are seeing in our local market this year and second, … Read More
If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. Maybe you’ve read about it or seen reels on social media saying investors buying all the homes is making it even harder to find what the average buyer is looking for.
We have found that people have very contrasting opinions on home prices in the current market. Many feel that prices are coming down due to the higher interest rates while others believe that prices are rising due to the low supply of homes for sale. The truth is, prices are still going up but not as fast they were in 2020 and 2021. For example, in 2020 the average home price in Clarke County was $258,000. By the end of 2022, the average home sale price was $356,000 representing a 38% increase in just two years. As of November 30th, the average home sale price in 2023 was $377,000 which represents a 6% increase from 2022 which is more in line with historical rates of appreciation.
Due to the rapid appreciation of real estate and a higher interest rate climate these days, everyone has an opinion about the real estate market- some good and some bad. The market is different today, but not in the ways most people think. Here are some questions our agents have been receiving along with our response.
If you’re reading headlines about inflation or mortgage rates, you may see something about the recent decision from the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But what does it mean for you, the housing market, and your plans to buy a home? Here’s what you need to know.
When looking to buy a condo in Athens, GA, working with an experienced real estate agent like Scott Talley can be a game-changer. Scott is a licensed real estate agent who has worked in the industry for several years. He has an in-depth understanding of the Athens real estate market, and he can help you find the right condo that meets your needs and budget.
There is a lot talk about decreasing home prices, and while it might technically be true in some cases, it does not tell the whole story. What we are seeing in our area is a roll back from the height of March and April. Keep in mind, this is not universal. Several areas have seen no roll back on price whereas others are seeing prices come down anywhere from 5% to 10%. Look at the graph pictured here.
As we get through the inflation battle and start to see that coming down, we should expect mortgage rates to follow. We’ve seen nods of this over the past couple of weeks. As the Federal Reserve works to bring inflation down, mortgage rates will come down as well. Bill McBride from Calculated Risk says:
As the housing market cools in response to the dramatic rise in mortgage rates, home price appreciation is cooling as well. And if you’re following along with headlines in the media, you’re probably seeing a wide range of opinions calling for everything from falling home prices to ongoing appreciation. But what’s true? What’s most likely to happen moving forward? … Read More
