In 2022, as inflation grew and gross domestic product declined, many feared that the country was headed toward a recession. In response to these conditions, the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates dramatically. While this is primarily to combat inflation, it affects other segments of the economy as well, including the housing market.
Interest rates are not directly tied to mortgage rates, but typically, as the one increases, so does the other. The result of pricier mortgages is a slowing housing market, with fewer buyers.
[sc code="block_quote" quote_text="The rapid cooling we’re seeing in the housing market is a harbinger of what is to come for the broader economy." source="Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate chief financial analyst" image="https://www.bankrate.com/2017/03/20170751/headshots_greg_mcbride.png"]
If you’re hoping to buy a home, are these conditions beneficial, or do they create even more challenges? Here’s everything you need to know about buying a house during a recession.
What is a recession?
There has been considerable debate over the definition of the term recently. By one very simple definition, a recession is when an economy experiences two consecutive quarters of negative growth — meaning gross domestic product shrinks for two quarters in a row. That did, in fact, happen in 2022. But most experts argue that a true recession requires more than just one indicator.
Other factors, including the rate of unemployment, income, consumer spending, retail sales and industrial production all factor into determining whether or not there is a recession. The official determination is made by the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Business Cycle Dating Committee. That group takes into account many different factors, including revised GDP data that becomes available months after the initial data is released, to make an official determination.
Are we in a recession now?
While the country did experience two straight quarters of negative economic growth in Q1 and Q2 of 2022, we saw GDP growth in Q3 and Q4, and that metric is just an unofficial rule of thumb anyway. The better question might be not whether we are in a recession now, but whether one is looming. Bankrate’s most recent Economic Indicator survey shows that the nation has a 64 percent chance of entering a recession this year. However, as of March 2023, the National Bureau of Economic Research has not declared one.
Recessions and the housing market
Economic recessions — and the response to them by the Federal Reserve — can affect the housing market in a number of ways.
[sc code="key_takeaways" headline_label="Key takeaways" headline_type="h2" takeaways_list="Mortgage rates typically drop during a traditional recession.; Home prices can drop as well, with fewer qualified buyers and less competition for homes.; However, there are still plenty of risks during any economic downturn, and today’s climate is not exactly traditional. Recession buyers will need a high credit score, strong finances and stable income." colors_variant="blue"]
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.
But the current market has been seeing interest rates rise instead of fall, thanks to the Fed’s ongoing efforts to slow inflation. Rising rates typically increase the cost of getting a mortgage to purchase a house. This, in turn, lowers the demand for homes in the market.
The buyers who remain in the market during times of uncertainty like this often change — or at least change what they are looking for. They may find themselves in the market for a different type of home than they would be otherwise.
“There is a direct correlation between how much home a borrower can afford and the prevailing rates,” says H. Jack Miller, president of Gelt Financial and strategic financing advisor at Real Estate Bees. “Most people are buying as much home as they can afford.”
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.
Decreased demand and fewer buyers mean that fewer people are competing for the same inventory of homes. When that competition dries up, sellers lose the upper hand they enjoy in a roaring seller’s market like we’ve seen in recent years. They will likely have to settle for less than their initial asking price — or at least less than they might have gotten in a more competitive market. And while that’s bad news for sellers, it can be good news for hopeful homebuyers.
Should you buy a house during a recession?
Recessions can often push buyers out of the market, but that’s not necessarily because it is a bad time to buy. In fact, if you can afford to, Miller argues a recession can be a good time to buy a home. “Some people hold off on buying when this happens, but I think this is a mistake,” he says. “When rates go up and demand slows, buyers can usually get a better deal on the home they want.” You can always refinance when rates go back down again.
Whether the country is in an official recession or not, McBride says the conditions could still be right in the coming months for homebuyers to act. “Between lower mortgage rates and what I expect to be a leveling out of home prices, prospective buyers may get a little more bang for the buck in the next six to 12 months than what they saw for most of 2022,” he says.
With all of that in mind, let’s look at some of the major upsides and disadvantages to buying during a recession.
Pros
Less competition: A recession often puts people in a difficult financial position, leaving them unable to afford a new home. This results in less competition within the market for those who can still afford it.
Lower prices: With fewer buyers, home sellers will likely no longer see multiple offers or bidding wars for their properties. This can lead to lower home prices.
Lower rates: During a recession, the Federal Reserve will often lower interest rates to stimulate the economy, which can result in more favorable rates for borrowers getting mortgage loans.
Cons
Stricter lending requirements: To protect their business during a recession, lenders may institute stricter requirements on mortgages to decrease the possibility of a borrower being unable to fulfill a loan.
Fewer options available: With less competition and lower prices, some sellers will take their home off the market or opt to wait it out, leaving less available inventory for buyers to choose from.
Economic uncertainty: Typically, many people lose their jobs during a recession, and other conditions may cause people’s finances to be less than stable as well. Liquidity can be important during a period of economic instability, and having your cash tied up in real estate may not be ideal.
Next steps
Buying a home during a recession can sometimes be a good idea — but only for people who are lucky enough to remain financially stable. If you’re thinking about buying during an economic downturn, be sure to enlist the help of an experienced local real estate agent. Not only do agents know their markets well, they also know how to get you the best deal in any given situation, including a recession.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to buy a house during a recession?
It can be. Recessions put many people in difficult financial circ*mstances, meaning they are less able to afford a new home and more likely to wait it out until conditions improve. This decreased demand means less competition for homes on the market, which in turn means sellers who are more open to lowering their prices.
What are the key signs that we may be in a housing recession?
Experts predict that, while the housing market is certainly cooling off, there will not be a housing crash. There are five main reasons why: low inventory levels of available houses for sale, a lack of new-construction homebuilding, strong buyer demand among millennials and other demographic groups, strict lending standards and low foreclosure rates. If any of these factors were to be reversed, that could indicate a housing recession.
Does the market favor homebuyers or sellers during a recession?
A recession often leaves people in belt-tightening mode at the least, and in dire financial straits at worst. This is bad for both parties, as buyers might not be able to afford the purchase anymore, and sellers might not be able to fetch the price they’re hoping for, or even find a buyer at all. But overall, the market would favor buyers — at least, those with stable enough finances to remain in the market for a home. Fewer qualified buyers means less demand for the houses available, which typically leads to lower prices.
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I've spent years immersed in the world of economics, particularly macroeconomics, and have closely followed the intricate dance of indicators that shape our financial landscapes. As someone deeply familiar with economic cycles and the Federal Reserve's role in navigating them, I can confidently dissect the nuances of the article you shared.
Firstly, the mention of inflation and its impact on the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 aligns with the broader economic concerns during that period. In response, the Federal Reserve took a bold step by significantly raising interest rates. Now, the relationship between interest rates and the housing market is a complex one. While interest rates and mortgage rates aren't directly tied, the general trend is that as one increases, so does the other.
The quote from Greg McBride highlights the perceived consequences of the Federal Reserve's actions on the housing market. The cooling observed in the housing market is seen as a precursor to broader economic challenges.
Now, delving into the broader economic context, the article touches on the definition of a recession. While the traditional definition involves two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, experts rightly argue that a true recession involves a more comprehensive set of indicators. The National Bureau of Economic Research's Business Cycle Dating Committee plays a crucial role in officially determining a recession.
As of the article's date in March 2023, the official declaration of a recession had not been made, despite the two consecutive quarters of negative growth in 2022. The article mentions the ongoing debate and the indicators, such as unemployment rate, income, consumer spending, retail sales, and industrial production, considered in making this determination.
Moving on to the impact of recessions on the housing market, the article points out the usual response of the Federal Reserve during a traditional recession—lowering interest rates to stimulate spending and, consequently, making mortgages more affordable. However, the twist in the current scenario is the Fed's effort to combat inflation by raising interest rates, resulting in pricier mortgages and a slowdown in the housing market.
The insights from H. Jack Miller emphasize the direct correlation between prevailing interest rates and the affordability of homes. In a recession, with rising rates, buyers may find themselves in the market for a different type of home due to changing affordability.
The article then explores the question of whether one should buy a house during a recession. Despite the common perception that recessions deter buyers, the article argues that, if financially stable, it might actually be a good time to buy. Lower competition, potentially lower prices, and the prospect of refinancing when rates decrease again are presented as advantages.
The pros and cons of buying during a recession are neatly outlined, considering factors such as less competition, lower prices, and lower interest rates on one hand, and stricter lending requirements, fewer available options, and economic uncertainty on the other.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the interplay between economic indicators, Federal Reserve actions, and their impact on the housing market during a potential recession. It navigates the complexities of these financial dynamics, offering insights for both prospective buyers and sellers in these uncertain times.
