Prices for single-family homes are falling in these cities | CNN Business (2024)

Washington, DC CNN

Home prices are going up across the country — in aggregate. Looking at individual markets, however, some are showing prices have fallen from a year ago.

Single-family median home prices increased 4% in the fourth quarter from a year ago to $378,700. Prices were strongest in the Northeast in the last quarter, up 5.3%; followed by the South, up 4.9%; the Midwest, up 4% and the West, up 2.6%, according to the National Association of Realtors.

But drill down to the market level and it’s clear that prices in some areas are declining from the prior year. The positive regional numbers mask that about 11% of individual housing markets tracked by NAR — 20 of 186 cities — experienced home price declines in the fourth quarter of last year.

“A few markets may see double-digit price drops, especially some of the more expensive parts of the country, which have also seen weaker employment and higher instances of residents moving to other areas,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

Nearly all of the most expensive places to buy are in the West and half of the 10 most expensive cities are in California. Several of those places are seeing prices fall the most.

San Jose, California, was the most expensive place to purchase a home in the United States in the fourth quarter. But that median price of $1,577,500 is actually down 5.8% from a year ago — and prices there have already dropped 17% from the peak $1,900,000 median price in the second quarter of last year, according to NAR.

San Francisco had the biggest price drop in the country, year over year, last quarter, with the median price of $1,230,000 — down 6.1% from a year ago. Prices for San Francisco homes are already down 21% in the fourth quarter from the peak median price of $1,550,000 in the second quarter.

Among the most expensive cities that saw prices falling are Anaheim, California, with the median price of $1,132,000, down 1.6% from a year ago; Los Angeles, with the median price of $829,100, down 1.3%; and Boulder, Colorado, with the median price of $759,500, down 2.0%.

Other places with falling prices saw the big price increases during the frenzied home buying market of the past few years. They also tend to be appealing lifestyle destinations where people moved to as remote work provided more flexibility. These include Boise, Idaho, where prices fell 3.4% from a year ago and Austin, Texas, where prices are down 1.3%.

The good news for buyers looking for price relief is that the 4% median price hike in the fourth quarter is less than the 8.6% increase in the third quarter. In addition, the price increases are smaller, with far fewer markets experiencing double-digit price gains in the fourth quarter.

“A slowdown in home prices is underway and welcomed, particularly as the typical home price has risen 42% in the past three years,” said Yun, noting these cost increases have far surpassed wage increases and consumer price inflation since 2019.

A fractured market

Throughout much of the pandemic, home prices across the country moved in a single direction: up. Some hotspots like Austin and Boise saw prices skyrocket. Other areas — particularly in the Midwest — saw prices go up more moderately. Yet, because mortgage rates were near historic lows, buyers came out in droves.

That story changed last year, when mortgage rates spiked as a result of the Federal Reserve’s historic campaign to rein in inflation. Homebuying fell off a cliff. By the end of 2022, sales of existing homes were down nearly 18% from 2021 as would-be homebuyers left the market, according to NAR.

Typically, a drop in demand to buy would mean excess supply and ultimately lead to prices coming down. But that’s not happening, broadly speaking, in the housing market.

Instead, prices for single-family homes climbed in nearly 90% of metro areas tracked by NAR in the fourth quarter: 166 markets out of 186 saw prices still going up. The national median price of a single-family home increased 4% last quarter from one year ago to $378,700.

How can this be?

One main driver of this phenomenon is that there is a shortage of inventory due to chronic underbuilding of affordable homes in the United States, along with homeowners who don’t want to part with the ultra-low mortgage rate they secured over the past few years.

“Even with a projected reduction in home sales this year, prices are expected to remain stable in the vast majority of the markets due to extremely limited supply,” said Yun.

There are still places where home prices continue to climb at double-digit rates. The top 10 cities with the largest year-over-year price increases all recorded gains of at least 14.5%, with seven of those markets in Florida and the Carolinas, according to NAR.

Farmington, New Mexico, saw the biggest price increase in the fourth quarter, up 20.3% from a year ago. It was followed by Sarasota, Florida, up 19.5%; Naples, Florida, up 17.2%; Greensboro, North Carolina, up 17.0%; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, up 16.2%; Oshkosh, Wisconsin, up 16.0%; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, up 15.7%; El Paso, Texas, up 15.2%; Punta Gorda, Florida, up 15.2%; and Daytona Beach, Florida, up 14.5%.

How is affordability changing?

In the last quarter of 2022 a family needed a qualifying income of at least $100,000 to afford a 10% down payment mortgage in 71 markets, up from 59 in the prior quarter, according to NAR.

Yet there were 16 markets where a family needed a qualifying income of less than $50,000 to afford a home, although that was down from 17 the previous quarter. Some of those included Peoria, Illinois, where a family can qualify for a loan with an income of $33,660; Waterloo, Iowa, with an income of $40,639; and Montgomery, Alabama, with an income of $48,172.

Nationally, the monthly mortgage payment on a typical existing single-family home with a 20% down payment was $1,969 in the fourth quarter according to NAR. That’s a 7% increase from the third quarter of last year, when the monthly payment was $1,838, but a major surge of 58% — or a $720 monthly increase — from one year ago.

This made the affordability picture even harder for many home buyers. Families typically spent 26.2% of their income on mortgage payments, which was up from 25% in the prior quarter and 17.5% one year ago.

First-time buyers were evidently pushed to a breaking point on affordability. They typically spent 39.5% of their family income on mortgage payments, up from 37.8% in the previous quarter. A mortgage is considered unaffordable if the monthly payment, including principal and interest, amounts to more than 25% of the family’s income. Generally, a common financial rule of thumb is to not spend more than 30% of your income on housing costs.

Prices for single-family homes are falling in these cities | CNN Business (2024)

FAQs

Will housing prices in DFW lower in 2023? ›

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.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

Will house prices go down in 2023 usa? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

What would a recession do for home prices? ›

Key takeaways. Mortgage rates typically drop during a traditional recession. Home prices can drop as well, with fewer qualified buyers and less competition for homes.

Will Dallas-Fort Worth resilient housing market crash in 2023? ›

The region's median sale price has dropped almost 9% since its peak of $435,000 in June, but it would take a much bigger blow to get it back to March 2020′s median price of $283,000. Gaines said prices could see a slight year-over-year decline in 2023 but will likely stay close to where they are.

Is the DFW real estate market slowing down? ›

The index score was 48.6 in December 2022, down 7.8 year over year and continues on a downward trend from the five-year high of 61.2 in January 2022.

Is 2024 a good year 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.

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 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. Figures are the predicted quarterly average rates for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

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).

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 to expect next from the housing market? ›

Mortgage Bankers Association: The trade group's latest forecast has U.S. home prices, as measured by the FHFA US House Price Index, falling 0.6% in 2023 and another 1.4% dip in 2024. It then expects national home prices to rise 2.1% in 2025. (Forecast updated on April 17, 2023).

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

In addition, during recessions, people with access to cash are in a better position to take advantage of investment opportunities that can significantly improve their finances long-term.

What happens to my mortgage if the economy collapses? ›

Recessions and housing market crashes may cause your house's value to decrease. However, your set mortgage rates won't lower, meaning your monthly payments will be higher than your home's worth. While many may dip into their savings to help pay the steep bills, others may need outside assistance.

How much cheaper are houses in a recession? ›

Home prices may decrease

Whether or not we're in a recession currently, we have started to see home prices decrease. The 2.67% drop in home values nationally between July and October 2022 was one of the largest corrections since WWII.

Will the real estate bubble burst in 2023? ›

According to recent data from CoreLogic, the answer may be no, at least for the time being. 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 there be another housing market crash in 2023? ›

It's also worth noting that while foreclosure rates are up year-over-year, experts do not expect to see a wave of foreclosures in 2023, even where home values are depreciating, as many homeowners have substantial equity due to progressive home price appreciation in recent years.

Will the housing market crash in 2023 or 2024? ›

Fannie Mae expects U.S. home prices to fall -1.2% between Q4 2022 and Q4 2023, and then another -2.2% between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024.

How overvalued is the DFW housing market? ›

Another study released last week ranked Dallas-Fort Worth as the nation's 18th most overvalued housing market. Houses in the North Texas market are selling at a 52% premium, according to a July analysis by researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University.

Are Dallas home prices dropping? ›

For the first time since 2020, D-FW home prices are down from a year ago.

Is it a buyers or sellers market in Texas? ›

The state is still in seller's market territory: Demand remains high, and prices are still up year-over-year, despite the decline in the last several months.

What year is best to buy a house? ›

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.

How much will my house be worth in 2030? ›

The state where house prices are predicted to be the highest by 2030 is California, where the average home could top $1 million if prices continue to grow at their current rate. Other states expected to see their average house price rise above the $750k mark include Hawaii, Washington and Colorado.

Should I buy a new car now or wait until 2023? ›

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

How long will the interest rates stay high? ›

An interest rate forecast by Trading Economics, as of 12 May, predicted that the Fed Funds Rate could hit 5.25% by the end of this quarter - a forecast that has been materialised. The rate is then predicted to fall back to 3.75% in 2024 and 3.25% in 2025, according to our econometric models.

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

ING predicts rates to range from 5% in the second quarter of 2023, rising to 5.5% in the third quarter, and then falling back to 5% in the final quarter of the year. They also predict interest rates ranging between 3% and 4.25% in 2024, staying at 3% by the end of 2025.

Will mortgage rates ever go back to 3 percent? ›

Even so, Evangelou doesn't expect mortgage rates to go back to 3% anytime soon but notes that even fixed mortgage rates below 6% will still be less than the historical average of roughly 8%. Other experts agree that rates will likely come down in the next few years.

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 long until interest rates go back down? ›

"Possibly in 2024, but it will depend on the Fed's decisions about raising rates in the second half of the year," says Fleming. "And even if they do go down, it won't be back to the rates of yesteryear. 6% mortgage rates used to be normal, and that's more reasonable to expect too."

Will mortgage rates hit 8? ›

U.S. housing: Active listings up 15.4% year-over-year as demand grows. Yahoo Finance Live's Rachelle Akuffo breaks down the chart of the day. A year ago, Americans were right on the nose predicting where mortgage rates would be 12 months later. If they are right again, rates should surpass 8% by this time in 2024.

What happens if the appraisal is lower than the offer? ›

Appraisal is lower than the offer: If the home appraises for less than the agreed-upon sale price, the lender won't approve the loan. In this situation, buyers and sellers need to come to a mutually beneficial solution that will hold the deal together — more on that later.

What not to do the week before closing on a house? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Closing on a Mortgage
  1. Opening a New Line of Credit.
  2. Making a Large Purchase on Your Credit Card.
  3. Quitting or Changing Your Job.
  4. Ignoring Your Closing Schedule.
  5. Forgetting to Pay Bills.
Jun 29, 2022

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 disadvantages of real estate? ›

Disadvantages of Real Estate Investing
  • Real Estate Investing is a Long Grind. ...
  • Real Estate Income Can Be Variable. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Maintenance. ...
  • Real Estate is Impacted by Rent Control. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Your Time. ...
  • Real Estate Transaction Costs are High. ...
  • Real Estate Income is Subject to Taxation.

What will the mortgage rate be in 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%.

Will Florida real estate prices go down in 2023? ›

Overall, the Florida housing market is likely to remain strong in 2023, with continued demand for homes and steady price growth. However, the market may begin to stabilize as the growth rate slows down, which may lead to more balanced conditions between buyers and sellers.

Will we ever be able to buy a house? ›

Yes—in two years' time. Both the housing market and millennial demand remain red hot, recent data from the Bank of America suggests. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of millennials said they are likely to purchase a property in the next two years, the 2022 Millennial Home Improvement Survey found.

What sells the most during a recession? ›

Consumer staples, including toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, enjoy a steady demand for their products during recessions and other emergencies, such as pandemics. Discount stores often do incredibly well during recessions because their staple products are cheaper.

How much cash should retirees have on hand? ›

Despite the ability to access retirement accounts, many experts recommend that retirees keep enough cash on hand to cover between six and twelve months of daily living expenses. Some even suggest keeping up to three years' worth of living expenses in cash. Your emergency fund must be easy for you to access at any time.

Who makes money during a recession? ›

What are some examples of businesses that thrive in recession? Due to the elasticity of demand, recession-proof industries are usually in essential services, like health care, senior services, grocery stores, and maintenance, such as plumbing and electrical.

Will houses be cheaper if the economy crashes? ›

Will house prices go down in a recession? While the cost of financing a home typically increases when interest rates are on the rise, home prices themselves may actually decline. “Usually, during a recession or periods of higher interest rates, demand slows and values of homes come down,” says Miller.

Will 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.

How can I protect my money from the economic collapse? ›

Build up your emergency fund, pay off your high interest debt, do what you can to live within your means, diversify your investments, invest for the long term, be honest with yourself about your risk tolerance, and keep an eye on your credit score.

Do food prices go down in a recession? ›

Because people have less money to spend, demand falls, taking the prices of many goods and services with it. Because a decline in disposable income affects prices, the prices of essentials, such as food and utilities, often stay the same.

Do people still buy houses in a recession? ›

In general, buying a home during a recession will get you a better deal. The number of foreclosures or owners who have to sell to stay afloat increases, typically leading to more homes available on the market and lower home prices.

Should you buy house during inflation? ›

Consider Buying Soon To Lock In Today's Prices.

This is true regardless of when you decide to buy a house. Keep in mind, that the increasing demand brought about by economic uncertainty can create higher levels of inflation. Locking in prices today could save you money in the long run if rates continue to rise.

Will house prices go down in Texas 2023? ›

Average Home Prices: The average median home price in Texas is $349,600, down by 3.5% YoY. In 2023, experts predict the median sale price growth to drop by roughly 4%, the first annual drop since 2012. Currently, the sale-to-list price ratio is at 97.8%, with a decline of 4.6 pt YoY as of April 2023.

What is the future of the housing market in Dallas? ›

Market Forecast:

Looking at the 1-year market forecast as of April 30, 2023, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area is projected to experience a 3.6% growth in the housing market. This forecast suggests a positive trend for homeowners and potential sellers.

Is Dallas housing market overvalued? ›

Another study released last week ranked Dallas-Fort Worth as the nation's 18th most overvalued housing market. Houses in the North Texas market are selling at a 52% premium, according to a July analysis by researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University.

What is the housing outlook in Fort Worth Texas? ›

Fort Worth, TX Housing Market

The median listing home price in Fort Worth, TX was $355K in April 2023, trending down -5.3% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $184. The median home sold price was $345.8K.

Will mortgage rates drop in 2024? ›

"Possibly in 2024, but it will depend on the Fed's decisions about raising rates in the second half of the year," says Fleming. "And even if they do go down, it won't be back to the rates of yesteryear. 6% mortgage rates used to be normal, and that's more reasonable to expect too."

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.

Are we in a housing bubble Dallas? ›

According to the analysis by Dallas Fed economists, the U.S. house price-to-income ratio in 2022 surpassed its peak level hit at the height of the 2000s housing bubble. Unlike in 2008, this time around we don't have a subprime crisis or a housing supply glut.

Are house prices dropping in Houston? ›

In a new report released Wednesday, the Houston Association of Realtors said home prices dipped more than 18% last month compared to the same month in 2022.

Is it a good idea to buy a house in Dallas? ›

Not only will you spend less to live here, you'll also find more opportunities for professional growth; more than 20 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here. While there is plenty to be excited about in the present, buying a home in Dallas looks like a smart investment for the long-term future as well.

Is Dallas a buyers or sellers market? ›

Dallas is a Sellers Housing Market, which means prices tend to be higher and homes sell faster.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Dallas? ›

According to the study, a North Texas resident without children would need to make $64,742 after taxes to live comfortably. The study is based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator, which uses the cost housing, food, transportation, medical care and more.

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