Rising Mortgage Rates Will Affect Home Sales Volume in 2017

WASHINGTON—Shrinking consumer confidence due to declining housing affordability, combined with rising mortgage interest rates are expected to put downward pressure on home sales volume nationwide, according to new consumer survey findings and a 2017 housing forecast update from the National Association of Realtors.

In NAR’s recently released fourth quarter Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey, respondents were asked about their confidence in the U.S. economy and their housing expectations in 2017.

With the calendar turning to a new year in a couple weeks, the survey found that a majority of households believes now is a good time to buy a home. However, confidence has retreated by a considerable amount amongst renters, NAR reports. Fifty-seven percent of renters said now is a good time to buy, which is down from 60% in September and 68% a year ago. Seventy-eight percent of homeowners (unchanged from September; 82% in December 2015) think now is a good time to make a home purchase.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says declining affordability in many parts of the country is behind the weakening morale. “Rents and home prices outpacing incomes and scant supply in the affordable price range has been a prominent headwind for many prospective buyers this year.”

Yun added, “Making matters worse, the unwelcoming reality of higher mortgage rates since the election is likely further holding back confidence. Younger households, renters and those living in the costlier West region—where prices have soared in recent months—are the least optimistic about buying.”

Even with this year’s slow dip in buyer enthusiasm, existing-sales are still expected to close for the year (2016) 3.3% higher than 2015 and reach around 5.42 million—the best year since 2006 (6.47 million). In 2017, sales are forecast to grow roughly 2% to around 5.52 million. The national median existing-home price is expected to rise to around 5% this year and 4% in 2017. By the end of next year, mortgage rates are expected to reach around 4.6%, and the Federal Reserve is expected to raise the Fed funds rate a few more times to 1.25%.

“Although the economy is expected to continue to expand with around two million net new job creations, existing home sales are expected to see little expansion next year because of affordability tensions from rising mortgage rates and prices continuing to outpace income growth,” said Yun.

Despite these headwinds, Yun is hopeful that the continued job growth, any economic stimulus from the new administration and more Millennials reaching their prime buying years will keep demand for the most part on solid footing. The key will ultimately come down to what the housing market desperately needs: more inventory. However, more expensive mortgage rates could also slow the pace of homeowners listing their home for sale.

“Some would-be sellers may be reluctant to move up or trade down—especially if they’ve refinanced in recent years,” said Yun. “That’s why it’s extremely necessary for homebuilders to step-up their production of homes catered to buyers in the affordable price range. Otherwise the nation’s low homeownership rate will struggle to shift higher in 2017.”

NAR President William E. Brown, a Realtor from Alamo, CA, says buyers searching for available homes in a tight market next year can get ahead by working with a Realtor who’s very familiar with the buyers’ targeted area. “A Realtor will have their pulse on current market conditions and can ensure a buyer is only searching for and making offers on a home that fits within the budget.”

Brighter enthusiasm about the direction of the economy, personal financial outlook mostly unchanged

This quarter’s survey found that another full year of robust job gains and lower unemployment is finally translating into stronger confidence about the economy. The share of households believing the economy is improving has increased quite a bit (to 54%) since the third quarter (48%), and is currently at its highest share since the survey’s debut a year ago. The most optimistic about the economy are those under the age of 44, living in urban areas and with higher incomes.

The HOME survey’s monthly Personal Financial Outlook Index, showing respondents’ confidence that their financial situation will be better in six months, has picked up a tad (to 59.8 in December) since September (58.6) and is mostly in line with the sentiment from respondents a year ago (59.6). In 2016, the index was its highest in May (61.1).

Roughly two-thirds think it’s a good time to sell, most expect prices to hold steady or increase

With price growth holding steady in most of the country since the summer, roughly the same amount of homeowners (62%) believe it is a good time to sell compared to the third quarter of this year (63%). As has been the case all year, respondents in the West continue to be the most likely to think now is a good time to sell, while also being the least likely to think it’s a good time to buy.

Mirroring current conditions in most markets and unchanged from last quarter, nearly all of those surveyed (91%) believe that prices will stay the same or rise in their community in the next six months. Respondents living in suburban areas, renters and those from the West are most likely to believe prices will go up in their communities.