Stock Groups

What you need to know about buying a home

[ad_1]

Giovani Quiroz and Nicole Quiroz from Brooklyn, New York, stand at the front door as they visit West Hempstead’s open house.

Newsday Images| Newsday LLC | Newsday | Getty Images

Prices are rising almost everywhere.

Americans spend more on gasoline and food than ever before, thanks to rising inflation.

There will be an increase in inflation that can also affect the cost of purchasing a new house.

George Ratiu (manager of economic research for Realtor.com) stated that “inflation is rising aggressively” and that wages and incomes aren’t rising at the same pace. This means we have less money available to spend every month.

Nevertheless, prices for homes have been on the rise. According to the consumer price index which tracks costs of goods and services it shows shelter increased 0.5% in October. This index takes into consideration rent and equivalent rent from owners, which are the rent that owners would pay for their house to be rented.

In separate news, the home prices were up 19.8% year-over-year in August, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices.

More information from Invest in You
Half of Americans with retirement accounts have taken an early withdrawal
If you don’t get a 6% raise, are you taking a pay cut due to inflation?
Inflation is soaring. Here’s how to navigate higher consumer prices

This all begs the question: What is it for homebuyers?

Ratiu suggested that one of the things you should do is to cut your budget.

In addition to having less money each month, you will also be paying more elsewhere for mortgage rates. The median price home buyers are paying $160 less per month on their mortgage payments than one year ago. Realtor.com analysis shows. Ratiu believes that those rates will rise.

He said, “Generally speaking, as we witness inflation rising we will see mortgage rates rise.”

An inflation hedge

Inflation has been historically viewed as an insurance policy against real estate.

Traditional home values have been at or near inflation. A mortgage locks you in to a monthly fixed payment over the term of your loan.

Jeff Tucker, senior Zillow economist said that although homes are more expensive than ever before, the most significant comparison is between the costs of owning a home and renting.

For homebuyers

Roberto Westbrook | Tetra images | Getty Images

[ad_2]