If you’re thinking about 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 important 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, even as rates go down, they can still bounce
around a bit based on new economic data. 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 each month for your home loan. Even a small rate change can make a big difference to your monthly bill.
Take a look at the chart below to see how different
mortgage rates impact your house payment each month for various loan
amounts. Imagine you can afford a monthly payment 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 for you. They can provide tools and visuals, like the chart above, to show how rate changes impact your buying power.
You don’t need
to be a mortgage expert; you just need a professional by your side.
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. That way you’ll understand what’s going on and how to navigate it.
Sally Heldman
Broker Owner
Metro Brokers / Heldman Real Estate
303.475.4508 CELL
sally@sallyheldman.com