The rapid rise in interest rates have caught some off guard and are making a challenging market even more so. However, it’s important to put a few things into context.

1. 1. Rising rates are not unmanageable by a long shot, and rates in the 5% and 6% range are not going to cause a meltdown as some on social media might have you believe.

2. 2. Home prices are not rising as fast as they did last year, but just because some sellers are reducing their asking price on homes, doesn’t mean the housing market is falling, it means that they aren’t rising as fast as they were.

3. 3. While there aren’t as many buyers bidding on the same house as there was before, estimates are that there are still far more buyers than sellers as we speak.

4. 4. Last year the average cost of a mortgage loan was about 2.96% and .7 points. This was an all time low. To which, there were 6.12 million resale housing transactions.

5. 5. In comparison, in 2005 there were 7.08 million resales while rates were 7.08% with .6 points and in 2006 there were 6.62 million home resales with rates at 6.41% and .5 points.

Yes, higher rates are going to reduce the amount of money people will be able to borrow by maxing out their payments. But most people don’t max out their payments or will simply borrow less money.

In 2000 rates averaged 8.05% & 1 point, while in 1990 rates were 10.13% and 2.1points, and in 1985 rates were 12.43% and 2.5points; and of course, we had 1982 when rates were 16.04 with 2.2 points. If you had to lock in your deal in October 0f 1981, you likely paid 18.45% and 2.3points IF you could find a lender that would lend you money at all!

Perspective is important. Nobody like higher prices, but it doesn’t stop people from buying houses. The important thing is to be professional and provide exceptional value for your clients and referral partners, and let them know that you can always refinance them in the future should rates move lower; if they don’t, they got in before the peak!

Rents are still moving higher. Purchase applications were up last week by 1.4%. We still have multiple offers and many cases where FHA and VA loans, Seller’s concessions, and local bond program loans are not even involved in today’s markets anywhere near where they once were. 

Rates may continue to push higher, home prices will slow their torrid pace higher, the markets will find the balance, just keep clear on your value to your clients as you help them navigate the path to home ownership.

Questions or comments: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.