The U.S. housing market has been booming for some time now, fueled by low interest rates, tight inventory, and on-demand buyers. But as prices have reached record highs, homebuyers are feeling locked out of the market as mortgage interest rates hit their highest levels in years.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to a new high of 4.36 percent this week, according to Freddie Mac. That’s up from 3.6 percent in November of 2020, just after the election of President Joe Biden. As a result, the cost of buying a home is increasing.
This isn’t good news for those trying to enter the market. Homebuyers are already facing fierce competition from investors, driving up prices, and now they’re dealing with higher costs due to higher interest rates. This could put home ownership out of reach for some families, and leave them feeling shut out of the market.
This isn’t the only factor making it harder for homebuyers. There’s also the issue of inventory, which is at a 40-year low. Even in a booming market, low supply of homes for sale makes it nearly impossible for consumers to find what they’re looking for. It’s a double whammy of sorts: high prices and few options.
This isn’t a new problem. Homebuyers were feeling locked out of the market even before the spike in interest rates. The current situation just exacerbates the problem, making it that much harder for motivated buyers to break into the market.
Ultimately, these market conditions make it nearly impossible for homebuyers to compete. Without intervention from the government or other organizations, many consumers will be priced out of the market. It’s a grim outlook for those hoping to buy a home, and one that could have a long-term impact on the housing market.