Affordability

Due to the increased cost of living and evolving work trends, Americans are now moving to smaller cities with lower median home values, according to a new report from Gravy Analytics.

Amid a significant shortage of housing supply in 2022, nearly 33% of Realtors believe a lack of inventory has stopped many Americans from purchasing homes. U.S. housing supply has dropped to the lowest level recorded since 1999, according to the National Association of Realtors.

A new survey from Rent. revealed one in four renters spend 50% or more of their income on rent, leaving many Americans to believe they'll never own a home due to steep home prices and elevated mortgage rates. Meanwhile, 71% of respondents reported they are shifting priorities to being debt-free instead of saving for a down payment.

MortgagePoint speaks with mortgage servicing execs from BOK Financial, Carrington, the NMSA, PHH Mortgage Corporation, and Servbank about the unusual times and unusual opportunities the industry faces midway through 2023.

Annual home appreciation relaxed, but CoreLogic predicts that the market will “start regaining steam” later this year.

While both listed and closed prices experienced positive year-over-year growth in June, experts predict that market activity will remain at relatively low levels heading into Q3 2023, with the Federal Reserve continuing to increase rates at a slow pace.

Consumer confidence in the housing market may have plateaued, according to Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI), which remained mostly flat in June, as shrinking supply and affordability conditions continue to pose challenges.

From February 2020 to May 2022, investor purchases of single-family homes grew to 20.4% nationwide, but the investor share fell to 16.2% over the past year, as evolving market conditions continue to fuel a decline in investor participation.

As rental demand heightens, the overall supply of low-rent units has fallen by 3.9 million over the last decade due to rent increases in existing units, building condemnations, and demolitions, according to the latest Joint Center for Housing Studies State of the Nation Housing report.

“The lack of supply is making it feel almost like 2021 all over again, but higher rates mean bidding wars are happening more in the $500,000 range than the $700,000 range because people can afford less,” said Redfin Agent Jeremy Lucas.