​There’s no doubt today’s housing market is very different than the frenzied one from the past couple of years. In the second half of 2022, there was a dramatic shift in real estate, and it caused many people to make comparisons to the 2008 housing crisis. While there may be a few similarities, when looking at key variables now compared to the last housing cycle, there are significant differences.
In the latest Real Estate Forecast Summit, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), drew the comparisons below between today’s housing market and the previous cycle:

Looking at the facts, it is clear: today is VERY different than the housing market of 15 years ago.

There is Opportunity in Real Estate Today

And in today’s market, with inventory rising and less competition from other buyers, there’s opportunity right now.
According to David Stevens, former Assistant Secretary of Housing:

“So be advised…this may be the one and only window for the next few years to get into a buyer’s market. And remember…as the Federal Reserve data shows…home prices only go up and always recover from recessions no matter how mild or severe. Long term homeowners should view this market…right now…as a unique buying opportunity.”
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Today’s housing market is nothing like the real estate market 15 years ago. If you’re a buyer right now, this may be the chance you’ve been waiting for. 

During the pandemic, second homes became popular because of the rise in work-from-home flexibility. That is because owning a second home, especially in the luxury market, allowed those homeowners to spend more time in their favorite places or with different home features. Keep in mind, a luxury home is not only defined by price.

Investopedia shares additional factors that push a home into this category: location, such as a home on the water or in a desirable city, and features, the things that make the home itself feel luxurious. A recent report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) shows just how much remote work influenced the demand for second and luxury homes:

“The unprecedented ten-fold increase towards remote work since the pandemic is an historic development that will continue to fuel second home demand for many years to come.”
 
What if you bought a second home that you no longer use?

If you are now shifting back into the office or are seeing your priorities and needs change, you may find you are not utilizing your second home as much. If so, it may be time to sell it. And if you own what’s considered a luxury home, buyer demand for it may be even greater. In another report, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing explains:

“. . . the last few years have left their legacy for the luxury market. While it might only represent a small percentage of the overall real estate market, luxury homeownership’s influence is growing. Not only has the purchase of homes valued over $1 million (a figure considered by the National Association of Realtors to be a benchmark for luxury) tripled from 2.6% to 6.5% since 2018, but demand for multiple luxury properties has soared over the last two years.
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This phenomenal increase has been driven by a growing affluent demographic who consider owning a luxury property a necessity in their asset portfolio. All indications are that this trend is here to stay, albeit that demand is set to return to a more sustainable level.”
If you own a luxury second home that is not being used as much anymore, now is the time to sell. There are still buyers in the market who are looking for a home like yours today. Let's connect!

There are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it is a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out into the future. As Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains:

“The desire for homeownership is strong. Many prospective buyers are waiting for the volatility in mortgage rates to subside, as well as for a clearer picture of the economic outlook.”
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If you are in that position, remember that it’s important to consider not just what’s happening today but also what benefits you may gain in the long run.

If you want to create wealth to help set you up for success later on, it may be time to prioritize homeownership. That is because, whether you decide to rent or buy a home, you will have a monthly housing expense either way.

​The question is: are you going to invest in yourself and your future, or will you help someone else (your landlord) increase their wealth?