Afraid to Buy a House Right Now? Here's What You Need to Know
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- Many buyers are asking: Will home values drop? Is a housing crash coming?
- Fears are driven by rising mortgage rates, inflation, and global uncertainty.
- But the biggest factor in real estate is supply and demand β and the U.S. is still short by 5 million homes.
- Despite rising rates in the past two years, home values in some areas have gone up 30β35%.
- A 1% interest rate increase may only raise a mortgage payment by a few hundred dollars β which could be less than your annual rent hike.
- Locking in a mortgage at 4%β6% now may still put you ahead financially.
- Experts predict prices will continue rising due to strong demand from new buyers (especially millennials).
- Even if builders rush to construct new homes, it takes years to develop and sell housing projects.
- Existing housing stock is aging β many homes were built in the 70s, 80s, and 90s β and may no longer match buyer preferences.
- A 5% annual price increase can double your homeβs value in 7β8 years.
- Equity builds over time β for example, a $200K home could grow to $450K while your mortgage drops to $150K, giving you $300K in equity.
- Renting may cost more over time without offering ownership or long-term value.
- Yes, homeownership comes with maintenance, but it often pays off β think of it as a trade-off for long-term financial growth.
- Owning also gives you more space: for storage, tools, a garage, or a pantry β helping you save money and build value.
- Residential expenses are unavoidable β the key question is: Would you rather pay rent or build equity?
- Even with higher interest rates, you're still reducing your mortgage over time and can refinance later.
- If you're hesitating, ask yourself:
- Are you afraid of foreclosure?
- Are you unsure about committing to a mortgage?
- Are you waiting for a dream home that might not exist yet?
- Overcoming these fears could mean gaining hundreds of thousands in net worth over the next 7β10 years.
