Over the past year, we’ve been told repeatedly how the record-low mortgage rates will begin to increase. Well, that time has come.
Perhaps triggered by accelerating inflation rates, which began a steady climb above 6% and are currently hovering around 7%, we are now seeing the highest mortgage rates in the past 2 years.
Increased inflation is bad news for Mortgage Bonds, which is why we’ve seen interest rates tick up quickly in 2022. As the Fed begins to raise the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate banks charge each other to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight) in March and throughout the year, we should see interest rates stabilize or possibly decrease. It’s worth mentioning that mortgage rates are under 4% - still historically low. However, this recent jump is a substantial increase from just over 3% in November 2021, to between 3.6 - 3.7% in January 2022.
With this recent news, you may be wondering how this affects your ability to buy a home or investment property. Simply put, the higher your interest rate, the higher your monthly payment. For example, if you purchased a home back in November of 2021 with a $400,000 mortgage and 3.1% interest rate, your monthly payment would be around $1,700/month. If you were to purchase that same home today with a 3.6% interest rate, your monthly payment would be over one hundred dollars more a month at $1,819. This may not seem like a lot, but over the life of your loan that would cost you thousands of dollars! Imagine having an extra $1,428/year to use for home improvements or other expenses.
Inventory is very low right now, but it’s definitely still a great time to make a move if you’ve been waiting on the sidelines. Interest rates may continue to rise, so it’s a good idea to lock something in now instead of next winter. Give me a call today! My trusted 8z Loan Officer and I have all the modern buying solutions (and selling solutions!) so we can formulate a plan that works for you.
Modern Solutions for the Competitive Market
As you are probably well aware, the real estate market is challenging to navigate right now if you don't have the right team in your corner, or the right tools to overcome the current obstacles. Fortunately here at 8z, we have all of the modern solutions to make buyers' and sellers' lives easier. One solution in particular that really shines in this competitive landscape is 8z Cash Buyer. In today’s market, it’s not uncommon for homes to receive dozens of showings along with more offers than ever before – each more creative and competitive than the next. With Cash Buyer, you come to the offer table with all cash, making you stand out among the crowd. Click below to learn more, or give me a call today!
