Mortgage Watch | December 17, 2018

By Buying, Selling December 18, 2018
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What does 2019 hold in store for the RE market?

The 2019 forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, some sun, and a chance for rain, according to an analysis by the Realtor.com economic team. NAR chief economist, Danielle Hale makes her predictions as we end the current year.

While higher prices may become the rule of the day, Hale predicts more inventory than 2018 had to offer. Builders will find it necessary to set higher price points in higher cost areas, while it remains to be seen if middle and entry-level markets will become more affordable.

Other factors may make home affordability a challenge, including rising interest rates. (Today’s buyers never experienced the double-digit interest rates of yesteryear, so they are a bit spoiled, after all.)

Millennials are no longer the new kids on the block. They ARE the block. In 2019, they will constitute the biggest generational group of homebuyers, with 30 becoming the key age to dive into the market. The oldest group of millennials (late 30s) are already enjoying the rigors as well as the delights of homeownership.

It’s unclear how the new tax code will affect the real estate market, according to Hale. She predicts that since taxes don’t get filed until April, it’s anyone’s ball game how the new tax arrangements (standard deduction or itemized) will fare for the average homebuyer and homeowner.

Rates Currently Trending: Neutral

Mortgage rates are trending sideways again this morning. Last week the MBS market worsened by -19bps. This was enough to move rates or fees slightly higher last week. We saw relatively low rate volatility all week.

 

About the Author
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Tim Morissette, REALTOR®

Tim Morissette, also known in the community as Mr. Foothill Ranch, offers over 46 years of real estate experience which has given him an established reputation and unmatched market knowledge. He is joined by his wife, Michele and sons Matt and Jeff, as they continue to offer personal service with an emphasis on achieving his clients’ real estate goals.  This unique combination of traits has led to his proven track record of referral and repeat business. This can be witnessed by the trust of homeowners in Foothill Ranch where he has sold twice as many homes and represented three times more buyers than the next-leading real estate agent for the last 26 years.

As residents of Foothill Ranch since 1994, Tim and Michele are actively involved in the community by fundraising for Foothill Ranch Library, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Cancer Society, Homes for Habitat, Relay for Life, South County Outreach, and the local church and schools. Tim enjoys sponsoring community-wide garage sales, paper shredding and e-waste recycling event, an Easter egg hunt, & a Meet Santa Event.

Tim and Michele are dedicated to their family of four sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. As a family, they enjoy many outdoor activities which include camping, spearfishing, mountain climbing and exploring the miles of hiking and equestrian trails in Foothill Ranch and the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Tim and his sons are also avid snowboarders and enjoy mountain biking and lobster diving. Family is a top priority in the Morissette household. They look forward to helping more families achieve their dreams of homeownership.