The Boston area home buying market may feel the effects of the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to raise interest rates… or not. The Fed increased the rate on federal funds for banks by .25%, the first such increase in over seven years. What does that mean for people contemplating purchasing a home?
Boston Area Home Buying: What’s Next?
As part of an overall strategy to allow the market to recover from the 2008 housing crash, the Federal Reserve purposely kept interest rates low.
For months new home buyers have anticipated a rate increase. That’s given many an incentive to buy or refinance existing mortgages before rates went up. However, a slight interest rate increase isn’t likely to deter buyers from continuing to shop for homes. If anything, it may continue to make them aware that interest rates could be on the rise and now is the time to buy.
The increase in the Federal Reserve rate won’t affect you all that much. There’s little correlation between the Fed’s interest rate and mortgage interest rates. Economists argue that rates on new mortgages have fluctuated throughout the entire year without any change in the Federal Reserve’s policy until recently. They cite, for example, a movement of 70 basis points (.70%) in the 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan category during 2015.
Higher rates don’t mean mortgage lending will tighten up. Because the Fed’s rate hike was so small, it’s not likely to prevent homebuyers from being able to purchase. There are mortgage products available for most every financial situation — from low down payment requirements to still-attractive fixed rate 30-year conventional loans.
Higher rates may motivate you to act. Some economists expect interest rates to rise in 2016 by as much as 1%. While the increases will probably be small, they may serve as the “nudge” that some Boston area home buyers need to get off the fence and get serious about buying.
Higher interest rates may keep home values in line with wage increases. Home values increased dramatically in some markets during 2015. This appreciation rose higher and faster than wage increases, making it harder for many Americans to afford to buy. The rise in interest rates typically slows the rate of home appreciation. This will allow wages the opportunity to “catch up” with real estate appreciation, making homes more affordable.
If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, you probably shouldn’t worry. You probably don’t have an ARM. Experts say 85-90% of mortgage originations in the past two years were for 30-year fixed rate loans. Homeowners that may have had an ARM likely refinanced during 2015 expecting a possible rate increase. If you have an ARM don’t worry. Most ARMs have a locked interest rate between 5-7 years. The rate will remain unaffected during that period. Even if you’ve passed that timeframe, chances are the rate increases in 2016 will be small. If you’re still worried about the future, a fixed-rate refinancing is always an option.
Continue to shop around for the best deal. Just as the Boston area home buying process involves looking for the home that best suits their needs, you should do the same when loan shopping. Find the loan program that fits you and your financial situation. Shop around. Ask questions. Compare rates and lenders.
Get more information on Boston area home buying by checking out our other articles in the Boston area Home Buying Tips section just beneath Boston area Real Estate Categories to your right. And be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter. We post daily tips there.
Here are 5 Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Closing Costs
1 – Document Your Finances. Boston area home buyers should be prepared for extra scrutiny by lenders when qualifying for a mortgage due to new mortgage regulations that went into effect in January, especially the new rules that prove borrowers’ ability to repay their loans. You should be prepared to show bank statements, tax returns, W-2s, investment accounts, and documentation of any other assets you own. You should also be prepared to explain any sizable deposits to your bank account—even a $500 check from a family member for Christmas. If you can’t prove where the money came from, it can delay your closing.
home buyers have been flocking to the market in droves this past year, trying to take advantage of affordable prices and record-low mortgage interest rates while they still can.
Nearly half of all potential Boston area homebuyers can afford the median-priced home in the area, but that’s not much help if they can’t get a mortgage.