Market Outlook: May 2023 Edition

There’s been some concern lately about another housing market crash.
Maybe you’ve read articles linking today’s environment with the Market
Meltdown of 2008. Even with the talk of recession, this real estate market is
very different and that means that most experts do not expect a crash, just
a normal ebb-and-flow slowdown. There are some significant differences in
today’s situation:

Loan Qualifying
Heading into the 2008 crash, loans were very easy to find. Almost anyone
could qualify for a loan with zero down payment and lower FICO scores.
The lending industry was taking huge risks, and this pushed home prices
higher, artificially. With stricter lending policies in place, not only do
borrowers need to qualify properly, but appraisals are based on true value,
avoiding over-inflated prices.

Housing Supply
Another difference is the housing supply. As home prices soared, so did the
number of homes for sale. Currently, there is still a shortage of available
inventory for the buyers still looking for a new home.

Equity Levels
Another huge difference is near record equity for most homeowners. The
strong housing market during the pandemic pushed home values higher
than ever before. Contrast this to the Market Meltdown era of short sales
and foreclosures, and it’s clear that most sellers can still afford to negotiate
and reap a healthy gain in the process.

What this means to you
The bottom line is that if you are a buyer looking to purchase or a seller
ready to move, there is no reason to wait or worry that there is a crash on
the horizon. The frantic pace of the market has slowed, interest rates have
risen, but opportunities are still available in this market.