By Jann Swanson
Posted To: MND NewsWire
Although home affordability is high, relative to pre-crisis levels, the rate at which their prices are increasing is cause for concern. Andrew LePage, CoreLogic Professional in Research Analysis, says the role of rising interest rates should not be overlooked; they can affect affordability more than home price appreciation. Household incomes have not been keeping up with rising home prices, but the persistently low interest rates have mitigated some of the impact . But LePage asks, what will happen now that rates are trending higher again? One way to measure how inflation, interest rates, and home prices impact affordability is “the typical mortgage payment.” This is an interest rate-adjusted monthly payment derived each month using the median national home sale price and the Freddie Mac average…(read more)
Via:: CoreLogic – Don’t Overlook Rates in Affordability Discussions