Housing is at near-record affordability, and I can prove it.
The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) developed by the National Association of Realtors is perhaps the most-widely-cited measure of housing affordability. Currently, the HAI is at near-record highs, which means the median-income family has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage to buy the median-price house.
But it sure doesn't feel like housing is affordable. If you don't believe me, check out these recent headlines:
Here are 3 key reasons homeownership feels out of reach to many of us.
Houses are expensive. Nationally, house prices are higher now than they were at the pre-crisis peak in 2006. House prices have risen over six percent per year on average since the house price trough in 2012, and they show no sign of slowing down. Incomes, however, have not kept up. Per capita income increased only 2.4 percent on average per year over the same period.
Houses are hard to find. The limited supply of available homes increases the perception that homes are unaffordable. New listings are snatched up quickly, many by cash buyers. Bidding wars are commonplace. To make matters worse, the challenge of finding a new home discourages some existing homeowners from listing their current residences.
The imbalance between the demand for and the supply of homes boosts house prices further and can transform the perception of unaffordability into actual unaffordability.
Borrowers are uncertain if they can qualify for a mortgage. The HAI tells only part of the story—it measures whether the median-income family has sufficient income to comfortably cover the monthly mortgage payment on the median-price house. But there are other qualifications as well.
Undeniably, the mortgage process can make potential borrowers uncertain of their chances at homeownership. My Home by Freddie Mac® provides information on many aspects of homebuying and successful homeownership. Our CreditSmart® curriculum offers online financial training. And our Borrower Help Centers offer face-to-face assistance for prospective homeowners.
It's easy to see why homeownership feels unaffordable to so many people. But the HAI isn't kidding—mortgage payments are more affordable today than at almost any time in history. As for the challenges listed above, Freddie Mac and others are helping borrowers navigate their way through the complexities of the mortgage process. They'll even help borrowers figure out when they're financially ready for homeownership.
Perspectives feature insights from our company's leaders into key trends in the housing industry.
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David Brickman
CEO*
Kevin Palmer
SVP, Single-Family Portfolio Management
Donna Corley
Executive Vice President, Head of Single-Family Business
David Brickman and Hugh R. Frater
Sean Becketti
VP Chief Economist*
*Sean Becketti retired from Freddie Mac in March 2019
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