The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has passed 7% for the first time in 20 years. The rate has more than doubled since the start of the year — leading many home buyers to give up.
Mortgage rates keep rising, making home ownership unaffordable for millions of Americans. Since the start of the year higher rates have added about $1,000 to the monthly payment to buy a typical house.Mortgage rates keep rising, making home ownership unaffordable for millions of Americans. Since the start of the year higher rates have added about $1,000 to the monthly payment to buy a typical house.The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has topped 7% for the first time in 20 years.
Rates have more than doubled since the start of the year, making it much harder for would be homebuyers. The pace of home sales has declined for 8 consecutive months as frustrated buyers give up, unable to afford higher payments.. That's the highest level since April 2002 and it is"leading to greater stagnation in the housing market," according to the mortgage giant Freddie Mac.
Rising rates have also slammed the lid on home prices, which have declined 1%, according to the latest reading of a closely watched homeWhere prices go next is matter of debate among economists."Our forecast is for about flat home price growth in '23 and '24," said Joel Kan with the Mortgage Bankers Association."But if you have flat home price growth for the country you're going to have lots of geographies that see outright declines.
Moody's Analytics is predicting an overall year-over year price decline of 6% nationally, and about a 10% fall from the price peak this past June.