Une enquête récente de CNET révèle qu’une moitié des adultes américains envisagerait d’acheter une maison si les taux hypothécaires baissaient. Cependant, de tels taux bas semblent peu probables à court terme. Actuellement, les taux tournent autour de 6 %, insuffisants pour inciter les acheteurs. Des défis tels que des prix élevés des logements et une inflation persistante compliquent encore l’accessibilité. Malgré des réductions prévues des taux par la Réserve fédérale, la crise de l’accessibilité au logement demeure préoccupante.
Key Findings
A recent survey indicates that 50% of adults in the United States would seriously consider buying a home if mortgage rates were to decrease. If the average mortgage rates were to fall to 4% or lower, this shift could potentially revitalize the housing market.
However, it appears that favorable mortgage rates are not on the horizon. Experts suggest that only a substantial economic decline could bring mortgage rates back to the record lows witnessed during the pandemic.
After exceeding 8% in late 2023, mortgage rates have stabilized in the mid-6% range. A decline to nearly 6% by year-end is possible, but this still isn’t sufficient to encourage buyers currently hesitant. Only 4% of US adults would likely consider buying or refinancing their mortgage at a 6% rate.
With the Federal Reserve beginning to lower its benchmark interest rate, there is potential for mortgage rates to reduce by one percentage point or more in the coming year. Even then, the survey found that only 9% of US adults would contemplate purchasing or refinancing at a 5% rate.
The current housing affordability crisis encompasses more than just high mortgage rates. Buyers and homeowners looking to refinance desperately need respite from escalating home prices and the overall high cost of living.
Positive News, Despite Limited Optimism
The survey revealed that 40% of US adults are somewhat or highly skeptical about achieving affordable mortgage rates by year-end. In fact, housing affordability dipped to its lowest level in nearly four decades in 2023.
Nonetheless, there is some cause for optimism moving forward. With inflation cooling significantly, the Fed has implemented its first interest rate cut since 2020 during its September Federal Open Market Committee meeting. More rate reductions are anticipated over the next 18 months.
The Fed’s transition to gradual rate cuts—after aggressively increasing rates throughout 2022 and 2023—marks a significant shift for the sensitive housing market. While mortgage rates are expected to decrease, the process may not be swift or straightforward.
Factors Influencing Housing Affordability
The pricey mortgage environment isn’t the sole hurdle for prospective buyers. Soaring home prices and limited housing inventory are making homeownership increasingly unattainable, exacerbating the generational wealth divide.
Beyond lowering home prices, 31% of respondents believe that receiving wage increases would greatly influence their decision to purchase a home. When living costs rise without corresponding wage growth, it becomes challenging for individuals to save for additional expenses tied to homeownership, like insurance.
Main Barriers to Homebuying
Over one-third (36%) of Americans cite inflation and the high cost of goods and services as the primary barriers to homebuying. Inflation has increased prices for essential items, eroded the dollar’s value, and weakened consumer purchasing power.
The Conclusion
Reduced inflation and interest rate cuts from the central bank are expected to result in lower borrowing costs for home loans. However, this will not alleviate the current high home prices and limited housing availability. It’s a positive step for the millions of Americans who have been shut out of the housing market.
Lower interest rates may encourage more homeowners to sell their properties, facilitate construction funding for builders, and make it more attainable for potential buyers, particularly first-time buyers, to acquire a new home.
Additional Homebuying Insights:
All statistics, unless noted otherwise, are sourced from YouGov Plc. The survey involved a total of 2,368 adults with fieldwork conducted from August 19-21, 2024, through an online format. The results have been adjusted to represent all US adults aged 18 and older.
Conclusions clés
Une enquête récente révèle que 50 % des adultes aux États-Unis envisageraient sérieusement d’acheter une maison si les taux hypothécaires diminuaient. Si les taux hypothécaires moyens tombaient à 4 % ou moins, cela pourrait potentiellement revitaliser le marché immobilier.
Cependant, il semble que des taux hypothécaires favorables ne soient pas à l’horizon. Les experts suggèrent qu’une baisse économique substantielle serait nécessaire pour ramener les taux hypothécaires aux niveaux records observés pendant la pandémie.
Après avoir dépassé 8 % à la fin de 2023, les taux