Reality bites. Annual existing home sales went down 18% in 2023, which is the worst year since 2008 or 1993, according to the National Association of Realtors.
But here’s the good news: We’re gearing up for a wacky year in real estate, AGAIN! We have a LOT of pent-up home buying activity.
Did you know that over 2 years, the following happens:
- 7 million babies born
- 3 million marriages
- 1.5 million divorces
- 7 million turn 65 years old
- 4 million deaths
- 4 million get new jobs
- 50 million job switches
This means there are a LOT of people who HAVE to buy, regardless of what’s happening with interest rates!
Currently, we have HALF of the number of existing homes available to purchase as we did in 2019 (pre-pandemic). So, imagine how nutty things were in the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2020, then take the number of existing homes available to purchase (at that time), and cut it in half.
In our great state of Indiana, from Q1 2020 through Q3 2023, we had 48.2% home price appreciation! This is FANTASTIC news for homeowners who are looking to make a move. Not only do homeowners have more equity than ever to put down on their next homes, some of that equity could also be used to buy down an unfavorable rate!
Also, the 30-year mortgage rate has likely reached its peak, and as interest rates come down slightly, people are going to stop sitting on the sidelines and will be clamoring to compete for what’s on the market.
Currently, we’re meeting with TONS of sellers who are preparing to list their homes this spring (note: Spring in our local real estate market is March/April, NOT April/May). The time is now to do the preparing, cleaning, organizing, and staging!
All this to say, brace yourselves. It’s about to get cray cray here in 2024.
Want to learn more about the top FIVE mistakes home sellers make? Come to our home seller seminar on Wednesday, February 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at 903 Main Street in Lafayette. I’m here to help!
Source: @nardotrealtor
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