Housing market predictions for summer 2023 (2024)

We handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Business // Personal finance

Will the low inventory that plagued the housing market this spring persist through the summer?

Jean Folger

Housing market predictions for summer 2023 (1)

Summer is traditionally a busy season for the real estate housing market. The long days and pleasant weather enhance curb appeal and showings, and families are eager to get settled before the school year begins.

Still, 2023 is a strange time for real estate. Stubborn inflation, volatile mortgage rates, high home prices, and an impending recession have left many would-be buyers and sellers on the fence, asking questions like:

  • Will mortgage rates go down?

  • When will home prices drop?

  • Is there a housing market crash coming?

For answers to these questions, we reached out to Dave Meyer, host of the BiggerPockets "On the Market" podcast and author of "Real Estate by the Numbers." He shared his housing market predictions for mortgage rates, home prices, housing inventory, and more. Here's what he said.

Mortgage rates affect more than just your monthly payment. They also impact how much interest you pay over the life of the loan—and how much house you can afford.

In January 2021, mortgage rates were at historic lows. Less than two years later (October 2022), rates hit a 20-year high. So far, the Federal Reserve has increased the federal funds rate—the overnight rate at which commercial banks borrow from each other—10 consecutive times since March 2022. Here's how rates have changed over the past 14 months:

At this point, the Federal Reserve hasn't ruled out additional rate hikes for 2023, which means interest rates could go up or down. Still, Meyerexpects mortgage rates to be fairly volatile but stay within the 6.25% to 7.00% range during the summer months.

Mortgage rates affect home sales because they impact affordability: the higher the rate, the higher your monthly payment, the more interest you pay over time—and the less house you can afford (all else being equal).

After 10 years of steady growth, U.S. home sales volume peaked in 2021 amid the pandemic-era real estate buying frenzy. The volume of home sales has tapered since then, but it doesn't mean the market is crashing. Instead, home sales are reverting to their regular, pre-pandemic levels.

If mortgage rates level off and become more predictable, more buyers should return to the market. For now, Meyerexpects sales volumes to fluctuate in the coming months. "Home sales volume will likely see a seasonal bounce in the coming months but remain well below 2022 levels."

Supply and demand determine home prices. With high mortgage rates, many would-be buyers have been priced out of the upper range of their home search or opted to stay in their current digs. That means fewer buyers competing for the same house, which can bring prices down.

At the same time, some would-be sellers can't afford to move (or are just opting not to) because they don't want to lose the low mortgage rate they locked in before the Federal Reserve started its rate-hiking campaign. This contributes to fewer homes hitting the market, which can drive prices up.

Of course, every real estate market has different supply and demand characteristics. "The direction of prices will vary significantly by city," says Meyer. He expects most cities to see a seasonal bump in home prices, but prices will likely remain modestly below 2022 levels on a national scale. "I expect some cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and South could see year-over-year growth, while many cities in the West will see further declines."

Low housing inventory has challenged property buyers since the Great Recession, and the pandemic only exacerbated the problem. There are a few factors at work:

  • Investors swooped up inventory. Real estate investors pounced on the housing market in 2021, representing 24% of single-family home purchases (record-low mortgage rates gave investors access to "free money").

  • There are fewer new construction homes. Pandemic-related supply chain issues and labor shortages have made it difficult for builders to keep up with new housing demand.

  • Some sellers are delaying their plans. Many would-be sellers want to keep their existing mortgages and avoid shopping for their next home while inventory is low.

For now, Meyersays that inventory on a national level will stay above last year's levels but will remain far below pre-pandemic levels. "There is no current indication inventory is going to return to what was normal before the pandemic anytime soon."

Meyersays it's nearly impossible to describe the national housing market as either a buyer's or seller's market because there's significant variance by region and city.

"Broadly speaking, the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest will likely be in a seller's market, albeit much more balanced than recent years," says Meyer. "Meanwhile, the West will likely be a bit cooler, with most Western cities in a buyer's market or in a flat, more balanced market."

While there's a lot of uncertainty in the real estate market and economy, many experts believe a housing market crash in 2023 is unlikely.

One reason is that lending standards are much tighter now than those leading up to the 2008 housing crash. That means borrowers are less likely to default on their mortgages and lose their homes to foreclosure. Additionally, most borrowers today have fixed-rate mortgages. So, even though rates are higher, borrowers have predictable monthly payments — and are less likely to get hit with payment stock if interest rates rise.

Another factor that makes a market crash unlikely is that homeowners have record levels of equity. This can help homeowners weather market downturns and avoid becoming underwater on their mortgages.

Keep in mind that housing market predictions are best guesses based on available data. As Meyerpoints out, the current impasse over the debt limit could change outcomes.

"All of these predictions presume that the government reaches a debt ceiling agreement and does not default on its debt or get so close that U.S. credit is downgraded," says Meyer. "If either of those events occur, mortgage rates will spike and put significant downward pressure on housing prices."

Of course, nobody can time the market, so buyers and sellers shouldn't base their decisions solely on what they think the market will do (or won't do). Ultimately, the best time to buy or sell a home is when the timing works for you and your financial situation.

Editorial Disclosure: All articles are prepared by editorial staff and contributors. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the editorial team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in this article is accurate as of the date of the publish. Check the lender’s website for the most current information.

This article was originally published on SFGate.com and reviewed by Lauren Williamson, who serves as Financial and Home Services Editor for the Hearst E-Commerce team. Email her at lauren.williamson@hearst.com.

More Personal Finance

  • Mortgage rates June 12: Rates steady, new listings at record low

    From Wall Street to main street, everyone seems to be in watch-and-wait mode ahead of the Federal...
  • New Amex Marriott Bonvoy welcome bonus: Earn up to 200,000 points

    Just in time for your summer vacation, American Express has boosted the welcome bonus on two of...
  • Bond ladder: What is it and how does it work?

    If you own a single bond, you receive a steady flow of interest payments until the bond matures,...
  • Why a 15-year mortgage might be your best bet right now

    Mortgage rates have risen sharply since early 2022, partly due to the Federal Reserve’s...
  • Weather damage costs billions: How home insurance helps

    It’s already been an expensive weather year in the U.S., and we’re only halfway through it. Seven...
  • 7 budget travel tips to beat inflation

    The summer travel season is here, and it will be a busy three months. With Covid-era travel...
  • American Express Gold Card review: An iconic card for travel

    The iconic American Express Gold Card is a rewards card that offers some sizable benefits,...
  • Treasury bill rates top 5%: Your low-risk route to fast cash

    The United States government borrows a lot of money. It has several different ways to do so in...
Housing market predictions for summer 2023 (2024)

FAQs

Will there be a housing recession in 2023? ›

While there are signs of a slowdown in the housing market's year-over-year growth rate, the overall data and forecasts suggest that a crash is unlikely in 2023.

Will 2024 be a good time to buy a house? ›

With mortgage rates declining faster than expected, home prices are likely to remain mostly flat throughout 2024. This will be good news for buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for a good time to enter the market.

Are house prices dropping in New York? ›

Median Home Price in New York City

NYC housing prices dropped starting in mid-2022, when rising mortgage rates forced many buyers out of the market. As a result, sellers had to lower listing prices (or at least be more willing to negotiate), just to get buyers in the door.

Is real estate a good investment in 2023? ›

In my opinion, real estate is one intelligent option to consider in 2023, as it often has excellent returns, tax advantages and provides diversification even in the face of a challenging economic climate. Real estate also has the potential to compound your investment.

What will mortgage rates look like in 2024? ›

These organizations predict that mortgage rates will decline through the first quarter of 2024. Fannie Mae, Mortgage Bankers Association and National Association of Realtors expect mortgage rates to drop through the first quarter of 2024, by half a percentage point to about nine-tenths of a percentage point.

Will mortgage interest rates go down in 2023? ›

“[W]ith the rate of inflation decelerating rates should gently decline over the course of 2023.” Fannie Mae. 30-year fixed rate mortgage will average 6.4% for Q2 2023, according to the May Housing Forecast. National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Will house prices go down in 2024 usa? ›

BENGALURU, May 31 (Reuters) - U.S. home prices will decline less than previously expected this year before stagnating in 2024, despite widespread expectations interest rates will remain higher for longer, according to property analysts polled by Reuters.

Will mortgage rates go down to 3 percent? ›

Returning to mortgage rates of 3% or 4% is not going to happen, in my view,” says Yun, who points out that historically rates have been higher. The low rates of 2020 and 2021 were “unique” and those that got them were “lucky,” he says.

Will home interest rates go down in 2024? ›

Along those lines, organizations like Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association forecast that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages will decline throughout 2023, continuing into the first quarter of 2024.

Will home prices drop in 2023 New York? ›

Market Forecast for 2023

The New York State housing market is likely to continue struggling in 2023 due to the low inventory of homes and rising mortgage interest rates. However, as the interest rates start to decline, they can increase demand for real estate and raise home prices.

Is it a good time to buy a home in NY? ›

In 2021 and early 2022, we were in a seller's market. Since mid 2022 to now, we are in a buyer's market. Buyers (especially those buying all-cash) have the advantage. Prices have recovered significantly from the Covid bottom, but price per sqft is still lower than the peak in 2017.

Why is NY so expensive? ›

There are many reasons why everything is expensive in New York City. Some of the key factors include the high demand for housing, high taxes, high transportation costs, and the city's status as a global economic and cultural hub.

Why buying real estate in 2023 is a good idea? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

Why buying real estate in 2023 could be a good idea? ›

2023 is a balanced year for housing supply and demand. This is ideal for retail purchasers and rental property investors. No longer a “seller's” market. Rising interest rates raise the monthly mortgage payment, which reduces homebuyers and lowers property values.

What are the real estate challenges in 2023? ›

Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate 2022-2023
  • Inflation and Interest Rates.
  • Geopolitical Risk.
  • Hybrid Work.
  • Supply Chain Disruption.
  • Energy.
  • Labor Shortage Strain.
  • The Great Housing Imbalance.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty.

How long will rates stay high? ›

Economists have long expected the Fed would likely stop raising interest rates at some point in 2023, but “where” rates peak — a level known as the “terminal” rate — is actually more important than “when.”

What will 30-year mortgage rates be in 2023? ›

While it expects the Fed to continue increasing rates to tame inflation, it believes that long-term rates have already peaked. “We expect that 30-year mortgage rates will end 2023 at 5.2%,” the organization noted in its forecast commentary.

How high will interest rates go 2023? ›

Mortgage rate predictions for 2023
Housing Authority30-Year Mortgage Rate Forecast (Q2 2023)
National Association of Home Builders6.36%
Fannie Mae6.40%
Mortgage Bankers Association6.40%
Average Prediction6.35%
2 more rows
4 days ago

What is the mortgage rate forecast for the next 5 years? ›

Predictions for home prices

Overall, in five years, he expects prices to have appreciated a total of 15–25 percent. McBride predicts home prices will average low- to mid-single-digit annual appreciation over the next five years.

Where are interest rates going in the next 5 years? ›

The predictions made by the various analysts and banks provide insight into what the financial markets anticipate for interest rates over the next few years. Based on recent data, Trading Economics predicts a rise to 5% in 2023 before falling back down to 4.25% in 2024 and 3.25% in 2025.

What will mortgage interest rates be in 2023 2024? ›

Fannie Mae expects the 30-year fixed to ease to around 6.1% in the second quarter of 2023, before falling to 5.9% in the third quarter and 5.7% in Q4. And it gets even better than that. By the end of 2024, they expect the 30-year fixed to average 5.2%.

Is 2025 a good year to buy a house? ›

After falling in 2023 and 2024, home prices are predicted to plateau in 2025 before rising again at just above the rate of inflation. However, due to the spike in home values from 2020 through 2022 due to record-low mortgage rates, median sales prices will take at least until 2027 to regain the highs of mid-2022.

What is the best date to close on a house? ›

If you need to be occupying your home by a certain date to save on rent, it's a much better deal to close at the end of the previous month (for example, January 30) instead of the beginning of the current month (February 1).

What will my house be worth in 2030? ›

House prices in the US have risen by 48.55% in the last ten years (from $173k to $257k) and if they continue to grow at this rate for another decade, the average US home will be worth $382k by 2030.

Will mortgage rates go down to 5? ›

It's highly unlikely that mortgage rates will revert back to historic numbers of 2-3%. However, based on all current data, there's a pretty good chance that a 15-year fixed rate will flirt with dipping below 5% by the end of 2025.

How long before interest rates go back down? ›

1) Interest-rate forecast.

We project a year-end 2023 federal-funds rate of 4.75%, falling below 2.00% by mid-2025. That will help drive the 10-year Treasury yield down to 2.25% in 2025 from an average of 3.5% in 2023. We expect the 30-year mortgage rate to fall from an average 6.25% in 2025 to 4% in 2025.

Will mortgage rates ever go back down to 4? ›

Even so, we're unlikely to see the low rates we saw in 2021. “Interest rates are currently at a 15-year high, so it's difficult to envision this lending environment as going … much higher,” says Jim Black, executive director of lender strategy at Calque, Inc. “But it will be a long road back to 4%.”

Where will mortgage rates be at the end of 2024? ›

30-Year Mortgage Rate forecast for December 2024. Maximum interest rate 6.08%, minimum 5.57%. The average for the month 5.78%. The 30-Year Mortgage Rate forecast at the end of the month 5.90%.

How high will rates go in 2024? ›

Policymakers expect their interest-rate hikes to push the unemployment rate, now at 3.6%, to 4.5% in the last quarter of 2023, and to 4.6% in 2024.

Does rent go down in a recession? ›

Just because there's a recession doesn't necessarily mean rent prices go down. In fact, during the 2008 recession, it was the exact opposite. In the current rental market, we have seen the rate of increase in rental prices come down, but this only translates to lower rent prices if you're in select markets.

Is Manhattan real estate a bubble? ›

Presently, it seems that New York is not currently in a housing bubble. In 2021, the median home price for Manhattan was around $1.4 million, representing an increase of 2.6% year-over-year, much lower than the extreme surges observed during past housing bubbles.

What happened to housing in 2008? ›

In 2008, the housing market bubble burst when subprime mortgages, a huge consumer debt load, and crashing home values converged. Homeowners began defaulting on the home loans.

What month are houses cheapest? ›

Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce.

What time of year is best to buy a house in NY? ›

When is the best time to buy a house in New York? If finding the right home is more important to you than getting a good deal, spring is the best time to buy. In New York, the spring season has a boom in listings, which creates more options for buyers.

What months are best for real estate? ›

Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. Zillow recommends listing your home for sale in March, but no later than Labor Day, based on historical market trends.

Which city is more expensive than New York? ›

The world's most expensive cities are jointly New York and Singapore, according to the annual Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey.

What is the average salary in New York? ›

The median salary in New York, NY is $59,752, with 80% of salaries falling between $31,200 and $150,000. In New York, NY average wages are trending up. The average salary across all industries increased 2.5% over the last year.

Is California or New York more expensive? ›

Which City Is More Affordable: Los Angeles or New York City? Both NYC and LA are among the most expensive cities in both the U.S. and the world. However, the average cost of living in LA is also 24-27% lower than that of NYC.

What is the best way to flip a house? ›

Let's break down the five steps to start house flipping.
  1. Research The Market. The first step toward serious house flipping is knowing the market. ...
  2. Secure Your Finances. Before you even consider a purchase, you're going to need the money to flip the house. ...
  3. Make Smart Investments. ...
  4. Find And Buy A House. ...
  5. Sell For A Profit.
Aug 18, 2022

How do you know if a house is a good investment? ›

Possible Depreciation

Appreciation is an important fact to consider when you're trying to determine whether a home is an investment. If the appreciation rate is high enough, then the added value you'll earn from the home will make the investment worth it within a certain period of time.

What is the outlook for flipping houses? ›

House-flipping gross profit and return on investment

In 2022, the average return on investment (ROI) for house flipping was 26.9%, and gross profit was $67,900, according to Attom. Popular as it is, house flipping has become less profitable over the past several years.

Is the end of 2023 a good time to buy a house? ›

The combination of persistent buyer demand and low inventory has driven property prices up. There are fewer sellers, so prospective buyers need to contend with higher housing prices. As such, if you buy a home in 2023, you're likely to pay a premium.

Should you flip a house in 2023? ›

Is House Flipping Profitable in 2023? Yes! If you get the basics right, flipping homes in California is easier in 2023 than flipping homes in 2021's competitive market. You Make Money When You Buy Your Flip: Stick to the home flipper's 70% rule.

Is real estate a good investment for retirement? ›

Real estate can be an asset class with high returns. It also usually offers a hedge against inflation. Since real estate has historically been inversely correlated with conventional assets, it can be a good way to diversify your investments away from the stock market.

What will happen to the US housing market in 2023? ›

Experts say hopeful buyers should not expect today's high prices to plummet anytime soon. “Home prices won't drop in 2023,” Evangelou says. “I expect pricing to be relatively flat.”

What is the mortgage industry outlook for 2023? ›

“By the end of 2023, financial market participants expect that the Fed will have increased the target Fed funds rate by 175 to 200 basis points from current levels,” Johnson says. “That would translate into 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates at roughly 8.50 and 7.70 percent.” Some experts are more hopeful, though.

What happens when the housing market crashes? ›

Homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes were worth and can no longer just flip their way out of their homes if they cannot make the new, higher payments. Instead, they will lose their homes to foreclosure and often file for bankruptcy in the process.

Will home prices drop in 2023 Florida? ›

Overall, the Florida housing market is likely to remain strong in 2023, with continued demand for homes and steady price growth.

Will home prices drop in Texas in 2023? ›

While some areas may experience an increase in housing prices, others may experience a decline. In Dallas, TX, housing prices are expected to decrease by 0.1% as of April 2023, followed by a further decline of 0.3% in June 2023, but are projected to increase by 0.7% by March 2024.

How high will interest rates go in 2023? ›

Since the start of 2022, the Fed has hiked rates 10 times to combat rising inflation. As of May 2023, the federal funds rate ranges from 5.00% to 5.25%. If this prediction is correct, it won't be surprising to see some of the best high-yield savings accounts offering rates exceeding 4%.

Will mortgage rates go down in 2023 or 2024? ›

Along those lines, organizations like Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association forecast that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages will decline throughout 2023, continuing into the first quarter of 2024.

How long will interest rates stay high? ›

'I believe by the end of 2023 we will see rates start to fall with a target of between 2.5 to 3 per cent in 2024. 'I believe if the base rate can get back to circa 2.5 per cent, then we will see rates hovering around that mark with a return to products that have not been seen in the mortgage industry for some time.'

Will houses be cheaper if the market crashes? ›

During a housing market crash, the value of a home decreases. You will find sellers that are eager to reduce their asking prices.

Will it be easier to buy a house if the housing market crashes? ›

During a traditional recession, the Fed will usually lower interest rates. This creates an incentive for people to spend money and stimulate the economy. It also typically leads to more affordable mortgage rates, which leads to more opportunity for homebuyers.

Is it better to buy when the housing market crashes? ›

Buying a property during a recession has advantages

Auctions may yield a reasonably priced house. To boost the economy, the Fed reduces interest rates during recessions. Banks decrease rates, including mortgage rates. Cheaper mortgage rates mean lower house costs over time.

Is it a buyers or sellers market in Florida? ›

Selling a home in Florida

Florida sellers still have the upper hand in Florida, simply because there aren't enough homes available to meet demand. In April, there was just a 2.6-month supply of single-family homes; 5 or 6 months is considered a balanced market.

What will happen to Florida real estate in 2023? ›

In 2023, experts forecast that the Florida home prices may fall down to 20%. Mortgage Rates Have Almost Doubled: Mortgage rates almost doubled from April 2021's 3.12% to 6.27% for the week ending on April 13, 2023. Sellers are Coming Back, but Slowly: The number of listings dropped by 14.9% in March 2023.

How much does a house appreciate in 10 years? ›

Average Home Value Increase Per Year

National appreciation values average around 3.5 to 3.8 percent per year. Ownerly explains that the average home appreciation per year is based on local housing market trends as well as the economy, and this makes for a great deal of fluctuation.

Will home prices drop in 2023 Austin? ›

Austin-Round Rock Metro's home values are expected to drop by 1.4% between March 2023 and March 2024. According to their forecast, the supply and demand dynamics will likely push down prices over the next 12 months.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 5450

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.