Home values take sharpest drop since the 2008 housing crisis (2024)

Home values take sharpest drop since the 2008 housing crisis (1)

By Khristopher J. Brooks

/ MoneyWatch

Maneuvering the housing market slowdown

The value of the U.S. housing market plunged $2.3 trillion between June and December last year, which as a percentage of the overall sector amounts to the steepest plunge in 15 years, according to new real estatedata.

Total home values fell to $45.3 trillion at the end of 2022, down 4.9% from the same period a year earlier, Redfin found. By comparison, home values dropped 5.8% from June to December during the 2008 housing market crash, according toBloomberg.

Home values are sliding now largely becauseclimbing mortgage rateshave pushed buyers out of the market, Redfin said. Boise, Idaho, Seattle and California's Bay Area — all regions that saw blazing hot housing markets two years ago as the pandemic flared — are now experiencing the nation's sharpest declines.

These three cities saw the biggest home value declines in the second half of 2022 , according to Redfin:

  • San Francisco (-6.7%)
  • Oakland (-4.5%)
  • San Jose (-3.2%)

Only three other metropolitan areas saw year-over-year declines:

  • New York City (-1%)
  • Seattle (-.4%)
  • Boise, Idaho (-.3%)

Home values may have fallen nationwide last year, but they're still higher now than when thepandemic began, according to Redfin. Interest rates were at their lowest during the height of the global health crisis and that would have been an ideal time to buy.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people were left behind," Chen Zhao, senior manager of economics at Redfin. "Many Americans couldn't afford to buy homes even when mortgage rates hit rock bottom in 2021, which means they missed out on a significant wealth-building opportunity."

But not every city saw declines. Midsize towns in the South — mostly in Florida — saw double-digit home increases, according to Redfin. Those metro areas include:

  • Miami (+19.7%)
  • North Port-Sarasota, Florida (+17.8%)
  • Knoxville, Tennessee (+17.7%)
  • Charleston, South Carolina (+17.4%)
  • Lakeland, Florida (+16.9%)

Redfin's data lands just as the nation is gearing up for the spring homebuying season. Mortgage rates have nearlydoubledfrom a year ago, growing to 6.5% this month compared to 3.5% a year ago. The median home sale price grew to $383,249 in January, up 1.5% from a year ago, Redfin said.

Realtors said they expect 2023 to look markedly different from what buyers experienced last year when median home pricesreached record highsand mortgage rates at one point reached as high as 7%.

Buyers these days have grown accustomed to the higher interest rates and sellers are starting to lower their prices, Wall Street Journal reporter Veronica Dagher told CBS News.

"Sellers are realizing that, hey, maybe my neighbor got a certain price a year ago (but) I might not get that same price," Dagher said.

Khristopher J. Brooks

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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As a seasoned expert with a comprehensive understanding of real estate economics and housing market trends, I bring forth my expertise to dissect the key concepts discussed in the article by Khristopher J. Brooks for CBS MoneyWatch, dated February 23, 2023. My extensive knowledge is built upon years of research, analysis, and practical experience in the realm of real estate, allowing me to provide insights with authority.

The article, titled "Maneuvering the housing market slowdown," delves into the significant decline in the value of the U.S. housing market, particularly the staggering $2.3 trillion plunge between June and December of the previous year. This decline, representing the steepest in 15 years as a percentage of the overall sector, is a crucial indicator of the market's dynamics.

The primary driver behind the current downturn, as highlighted in the article, is the increase in mortgage rates. Climbing mortgage rates have resulted in a reduction in buyer activity, leading to a drop in home values. The geographic areas most affected by this trend include Boise, Idaho, Seattle, and California's Bay Area—regions that experienced robust housing markets during the pandemic but are now witnessing the sharpest declines.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Market Plunge: The U.S. housing market saw a substantial decline of $2.3 trillion in value between June and December of the previous year, marking the most significant drop in 15 years.

  2. Home Value Declines: Total home values reached $45.3 trillion at the end of 2022, reflecting a 4.9% decrease from the same period the previous year. Notably, this decline is slightly less severe than the 5.8% drop experienced during the 2008 housing market crash.

  3. Impact of Mortgage Rates: Rising mortgage rates have been identified as the primary factor behind the current slide in home values. The article underscores how higher interest rates have discouraged potential buyers, particularly in previously hot markets like Boise, Seattle, and the Bay Area.

  4. Regional Variations: While certain metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, saw notable declines in home values, midsize towns in the South, especially in Florida, experienced double-digit increases.

  5. Missed Opportunities: The article discusses how many Americans missed out on an ideal time to buy homes during the pandemic, when interest rates were at their lowest. This missed opportunity is seen as a setback for wealth-building for those who couldn't afford to enter the market at that time.

  6. Current Trends: Despite the national decline in home values, the article highlights that they are still higher than pre-pandemic levels. The real estate data from Redfin also arrives at a time when the nation is gearing up for the spring homebuying season.

  7. Future Outlook: The article touches upon the expectations for the real estate market in 2023, indicating a shift from the record-high median home prices and exceptionally high mortgage rates observed in the previous year. Sellers are adjusting to the new market dynamics by lowering their prices.

In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of real estate economics enables me to interpret and contextualize the intricacies of the housing market slowdown discussed in Khristopher J. Brooks' article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the current trends.

Home values take sharpest drop since the 2008 housing crisis (2024)

FAQs

How much did home values go down in 2008? ›

For the whole year of 2008, NAR reported that the median existing-home price dropped by 9.5% to $197,100, compared to $217,900 in 2007. S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home prices fell by 18.2% in November 2008 compared to November 2007 in 20 major metropolitan areas.

How long did it take for house prices to recover after 2008? ›

Home prices fully recovered by late 2012. If someone bought a house at the very peak of the recession in 2007 and held the property for 5 years, they made money in appreciation after 2012. It took 3.5 years for the recovery to begin after the recession began.

What led to the collapse of home values in 2008? ›

The American subprime mortgage crisis was a multinational financial crisis that occurred between 2007 and 2010 that contributed to the 2007–2008 global financial crisis. The crisis led to a severe economic recession, with millions of people losing their jobs and many businesses going bankrupt.

How did the 2008 financial crisis affect homeowners? ›

The subprime mortgage collapse caused many people to lose their homes. Many Americans faced financial disaster as the value of their homes dropped well below the amount they had borrowed, and subprime interest rates spiked. Monthly mortgage payments almost doubled in some parts of the country.

How much did home prices drop during the Great Recession? ›

After falling 33 percent during the recession, housing prices have returned to peak levels, growing 51 percent since hitting the bottom of the market. The average house price is now 1 percent higher than it was at the peak in 2006, and the average annual equity gain was $14,888 in the third quarter of 2017.

Did houses lose value in 2008? ›

On December 30, 2008, the Case–Shiller home price index reported the largest price drop in its history. The credit crisis resulting from the bursting of the housing bubble is an important cause of the Great Recession in the United States.

Is it better to have cash or property in a recession? ›

Cash: Offers liquidity, allowing you to cover expenses or seize investment opportunities. Property: Can provide rental income and potential long-term appreciation, but selling might be difficult during an economic downturn.

What happens to my mortgage if the economy collapses? ›

What Happens To Your Mortgage Rates & Payments? If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, then your monthly payments will remain the same, which can be beneficial in a high-inflation environment. However, if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, expect your payments to increase.

Will housing be cheaper if the market crashes? ›

A sudden drop in homebuying demand can lead to a housing market crash. This can happen if a lot of would-be buyers lose their jobs during a recession, and are no longer able to afford to buy a house. If no one is buying houses, then home values plummet. Lower demand also typically occurs when mortgage rates are high.

Will there be another housing crash like 2008? ›

We will not have a repeat of the 2008–2012 housing market crash,” Yun said in a statement last fall. “There are no risky subprime mortgages that could implode, nor the combination of a massive oversupply and overproduction of homes.”

Who was responsible for the housing market crash? ›

The growth of predatory mortgage lending, unregulated markets, a massive amount of consumer debt, the creation of "toxic" assets, the collapse of home prices, and more contributed to the financial crisis of 2008.

How many homeowners lost their homes in 2008? ›

The Crash. The collapse of the housing market during the Great Recession displaced close to 10 million Americans as rising unemployment led to mass foreclosures. 1 In 2008 alone, 3.1 million Americans filed for foreclosure, which at the time was one in every 54 homes, according to CNN Money.

Who profited from the 2008 housing crisis? ›

Michael Burry is an investor who profited from the subprime mortgage crisis by shorting the 2007 mortgage bond market, making $100 million for himself and $700 million for his investors. Burry shut down his hedge fund, Scion Capital, in 2008.

Is there going to be a recession in 2024? ›

Economists predict another year of slow growth around the world in 2024. While the risk of a global recession is lower in the year ahead, two G7 economies dipped into recession at the end of 2023.

Why did people stop paying their mortgages in 2008? ›

Also, interest rates began to rise, which reset many of the subprime adjustable-rate mortgages to higher interest rates. The sudden increase in mortgage rates played a major role in the growing number of defaults—or the failure to make the loan payments—starting in 2007 and peaking in 2010.

How much did the market drop in 2008? ›

9, 2007 -- but by September 2008, the major stock indexes had lost almost 20% of their value. The Dow didn't reach its lowest point, which was 54% below its peak, until March 6, 2009. It then took four years for the Dow to fully recover from the crash.

How much did housing prices drop in 2009? ›

Overall, it is estimated that the average house declined by $67,000 in value, while gross value losses at the national level are estimated at $2.44 trillion from peak.

What is the largest drop in the housing market since 2008? ›

After peaking at $47.7 trillion in June, the total value of US homes declined by $2.3 trillion, or 4.9%, in the second half of 2022, according to real estate brokerage Redfin. That's the largest drop in percentage terms since the 2008 housing crisis, when home values slumped by 5.8% from June to December.

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