Why Arent Home Prices Crashing?

There have been a lot of shifts in the housing market recently. Mortgage rates rose dramatically last year, impacting many peoples ability to buy a home. And after several years of rapid price appreciation, home prices finally peaked last summer. These changes led to a rise in headlines saying prices would end up crashing.

Even though were no longer seeing the buyer frenzy that drove home values up during the pandemic, prices have been relatively flat at the national level. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at theNational Association of Realtors(NAR), doesntexpectthat to change:

Home prices will be steady in most parts of the countrywith a minor change in the national median home price.

You might think sellers would have to lower prices to attract buyers in todays market, and thats part of why some may have been waiting for prices to come crashing down. But theres another factor at play low inventory. Andaccordingto Yun, thats limiting just how low prices will go:

We simply dont have enough inventory. Will some markets see a price decline? Yes. [But] with the supply not being there, the repeat of a 30 percent price decline is highly, highly unlikely.

As you can see in the graph below, weve been at or near record-low inventory levels for a few years now.

That lack of available homes on the market is putting upward pressure onprices.Bankrateputsit like this:

This ongoing lack of inventory explains why many buyers still have little choice but to bid up prices. And it also indicates that the supply-and-demand equation simply wont allow a price crash in the near future.

If more homes dont come to the market, a lack of supply will keep prices from crashing, and,accordingto industry expert Rick Sharga, inventory isnt likely to rise significantly this year:

I believe that were likely to see low inventory continue to vex the housing market throughout 2023.

Sellers are under no pressure to move since they have plenty of equity right now. That equity acts as a cushion for homeowners, lowering the chances of distressed sales like foreclosures and short sales. And with many homeowners locked into low mortgage rates, that equity cushion isnt going anywhere soon.

With so few homes available for sale today, its important to work with a trusted real estate agent whounderstandsyour local area and can navigate the current market volatility.