Beyond Mortgage Rates: The 3 Surprising Factors Shaping Home Affordability Today
The current state of home affordability is not just based on mortgage rates, but also on home prices and wages. Although mortgage rates have climbed since their pandemic-era record lows, they have remained relatively stable for the past eight months, hovering between 6% and 7%. Home prices, on the other hand, have varied by market, with some areas seeing slight declines while others continue to climb. However, rising wages are currently the most positive factor in affordability, as higher income reduces the percentage of one’s paycheck needed to cover monthly housing costs. To get a better understanding of how these factors work together in your local market, it’s best to consult with a trusted real estate agent.
How Changing Mortgage Rates Can Affect You
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been bouncing between 6% and 7% this year. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to buy a home or not, it’s helpful to know exactly how a 1%, or even a 0.5%, mortgage rate shift affects your purchasing power.
The chart below helps show the general relationship between mortgage rates and a typical monthly mortgage payment: