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The still-heated economy and uncertainty over whether it will cool sufficiently has pushed mortgage rates up in recent weeks. Average 30-year mortgage rates are closer to 8% than they've been in 23 years, reaching 7.79% this week, according to Freddie Mac.
Average 15-year mortgage rates are also extremely high, and have surpassed 7% for the first time since December 2000.
"Rates have risen two full percentage points in 2023 alone and, as we head into Halloween, the impacts may scare potential homebuyers," Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist, said in a press release. "Purchase activity has slowed to a virtual standstill, affordability remains a significant hurdle for many and the only way to address it is lower rates and greater inventory."
Experts believe rates will fall in 2024, but it's hard to accurately predict exactly how significantly they'll decrease. If the economy remains tight, we may only see modest drops. However, the effects of Federal Reserve rate hikes are still playing out, and it's possible we could see more rapid cooling in the economy in the coming months. This would likely allow mortgage rates to drop more substantially.
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Mortgage Rate Projection for 2023
Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased over three percentage points in 2022.
But many forecasts expect rates to begin to fall this year. In their latest forecast, Fannie Mae researchers predicted that 30-year fixed rates will trend down throughout 2023 and 2024.
But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.
In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.7%. Inflation has slowed significantly since it peaked a year ago, but we still need to see a bit more slowing before the Fed will consider cutting rates.
For homeowners looking to leverage their home's value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you're borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you'd do with a cash-out refinance.
Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.
When Will House Prices Come Down?
Home prices declined a bit on a monthly basis late last year, but we aren't likely to see drops this year.
Fannie Mae researchers expect prices to increase 6.7% overall in 2023 and 2.8% in 2024, while the Mortgage Bankers Association expects a 1.5% increase in 2023 and a 1.1% increase in 2024.
Sky high mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing homebuying demand and putting downward pressure on home prices. But rates may start to drop soon, which would remove some of that pressure. The current supply of homes is also historically low, which will likely keep prices from dropping too far.
What Happens to House Prices in a Recession?
House prices usually drop during a recession, but not always. When it does happen, it's generally because fewer people can afford to purchase homes, and the low demand forces sellers to lower their prices.
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much you can afford to borrow. Play around with different home prices and down payment amounts to see how much your monthly payment could be, and think about how that fits in with your overall budget.
Typically, experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.
The lower your rate, the more you'll be able to borrow, so shop around and get preapproved with multiple mortgage lenders to see who can offer you the best rate. But remember not to borrow more than what your budget can comfortably handle.