This week, for the first time in 32 months, mortgage rates hit 4%.
While this increase may feel painful for buyers currently looking at property, it is important to put today’s rates in perspective.
We believe we will look back a few years from now and see that a 4% rate was like buying money at a discount.
Interest rates hovered between 4.5% and 3.75% for the 8-year span of June, 2011 to June 2018
Between January, 2000 and December, 2010 rates were as high as 8.25% and as low as 5.0%.
When looking at the history of interest rates and researching economists’ forecasts, we believe it is reasonable for rates to hit 5% within the next 24 months.
When interest rates increase 1%, a buyer’s monthly payment increases 10%.
So, if rates do go to 5%, it is like an additional 10% price increase for a buyer.
Given all of this information, we believe the biggest risk to a buyer in today’s market is to wait.
Mortgage rates are likely on their way up and there is an opportunity to buy money at a discount today.