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There is no denying that the demand for homes is higher than expected in the wake of an ongoing pandemic. In this article, we’ll go over why the market will continue to be competitive for buyers and why the demand for homes is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
Across the US, there has been a definite demand from homebuyers due to the ongoing pandemic. What started as uncertainty in March 2020 due to COVID-19-related shutdowns quickly turned into home sales skyrocketing through the subsequent months.
With the way things have played out so far, it is not too shocking to learn that it appears that increased demand for home inventory will likely continue well into 2022.
The market has been on fire this past year due to low mortgage rates (which are now on the rise) and an unexpected wave of relocations made possible by the rise in remote work. Meanwhile, home prices have reached new heights as buyer demand continues to surge. So, what does all of this mean for the rest of 2022?
Well, as we slowly make our way into 2022, it is clear that the need for new homes, more square footage, and less congestive living are all still a must. As a result, the current state of things has many people asking themselves if there will be more homes available for sale sooner rather than later? Well, the good news is that there has definitely been an uptick in residential construction, especially in warmer parts of the country.
As briefly suggested, there will likely be an increase in home supply later this year. However, at present, residential construction continues to face limiting factors, including higher costs, longer delivery times for materials, an ongoing labor skills shortage, and concerns over regulatory cost burdens.
That said, home sales are still forecasted to easily grow by 14.3%, according to Zillow. Furthermore, even though mortgage rates are expected to continue rising, sales and price growth will clearly be propelled by the still strong demand. Of course, other factors such as a recovering economy and still-lagging supply will also add to the ongoing high demand.
Nevertheless, when coupled together, all of these trends are more likely to lead a significant number of homebuyers to consider building new homes instead of competing for the existing houses on the market, especially the homes with ever-rising sale prices. What’s more, people are now more eager to buy in suburban and rural areas, since land is cheaper there than in the cities, there will be more areas where homes can be built profitably.
Overall, real estate experts believe that the high buyer demand will keep prices growing, but at a slower pace than 2021, as buyers will likely contend with mortgage rate and price increases that may very well create affordability challenges. But be that as it may, the ongoing pandemic has forever changed the way people work, learn, and live.
Thus, the desire to move out to more suburban and rural areas, the convenience of having a home office space, or the ability to safely learn from home are not going anywhere. In other words, people will continue to search for and buy homes that fit their new normal or lifestyle. Plus, the increased personal savings rate for those who are still employed is only fueling the demand for homeownership.
Of course, if you are considering a new home this year, there is no need to panic. There are a variety of things you can do to make yourself a more competitive buyer. Remember, just because 2022 is shaping up to be a seller’s market once again, at least in popular markets, does not mean you cannot negotiate.
Moreover, you can still get into a bidding war and win—whether it is through careful negotiation and inspection, getting pre-approved early, or simply doing your mortgage due diligence. You may also want to consider homes that need a little work as viable alternatives.
Ultimately, despite how ready you are to buy a house this year, waiting a few months until the market is less crazy is also another option. Zillow predicts that the right time to buy a house this year will be in late summer (especially in August and September).
Thus, by putting home buying on hold until then, you can give yourself time to save for a bigger down payment, build your credit, plus allow your local housing market to become less competitive.
Do you have questions about home loans? Are you ready to apply for a mortgage to buy a home? If so, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We are a local mortgage company from Bellevue, Washington, serving the entire state, as well as Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. We offer many mortgage programs to buyers all over the Pacific Northwest and have been doing so since 1992. Contact us today with any questions you have about mortgages.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.