If you’re considering buying or selling a home, you’ve probably got mortgage rates on your mind. That’s because you’ve likely heard that mortgage rates impact how much you can afford in your monthly mortgage payment, and you want to factor that into your planning. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Happening with Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage rates have been trending down recently. While that’s good news for your homebuying plans, it’s essential to know that rates can be unpredictable because they’re affected by many factors.
Things like the economy, job market, inflation, and decisions made by the Federal Reserve all play a part. So, rates can still bounce around based on new economic data even as rates go down. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says:
“The ongoing deceleration in inflation, coupled with the Federal Reserve’s recent indication of potential rate cuts [in 2024], suggests an environment supportive of modest declines in mortgage rates. Barring any unforeseen circumstances and resurgence in inflation, lower mortgage rates could be on the horizon, but the journey towards them might be slow and bumpy.”
How Do These Changes Affect You?
When mortgage rates change, it affects how much you pay monthly for your home loan. Even a small rate change can greatly affect your monthly bill.
Look at the chart below to see how different mortgage rates impact your monthly house payment for various loan amounts. Imagine you can afford a monthly fee of $2,600 for your home loan. The green part in the chart shows payments in that range or lower based on varying mortgage rates (see chart below):
Understanding how mortgage rates impact your payment helps you make better decisions.
How Can You Keep Track of the Latest on Rates?
Real estate agents have the expertise to help you understand what’s happening and what it means. They can provide tools and visuals to show how rate changes impact your buying power, like the chart above. You don’t need to be a mortgage expert; you need a professional. Someone who can help you make sense of the market and guide you through your homebuying or selling journey.
Bottom Line
If you have questions about the housing market, let’s connect with real estate experts at KM Realty Group LLC. That way, you’ll understand what’s happening and how to navigate it.
