What Does the Future Hold for Home Prices?

If you have been considering buying or selling a house, chances are you’ve witnessed or heard murmurings of today’s rising home prices. While this increase in home values is great news for sellers, you may be wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall?

It’s important to note home prices have increased, or appreciated, for 114 straight months. To find out if that trend may continue, Pulsenomics surveyed over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts asking for their five-year projections. In terms of what lies ahead, experts say the market may see some slight deceleration, but not depreciation.

The forecast for the next few years predicts prices will continue to rise, just not at the same accelerated pace we’ve seen over the last year. Over 100 experts agree, there is no expectation for price depreciation.

Bill McBride, author of the blog Calculated Risk, also expects deceleration, but not depreciation.

What Does This Deceleration Mean for You?

What experts are projecting for the years ahead is more in line with the historical norm for appreciation. According to data from Black Knight, the average annual appreciation from 1995-2020 is 4.1%. Forecasts are closer to that pace, which means you should see appreciation at a level that’s aligned with a more normal year.

If you’re a buyer, don’t expect a sudden or drastic drop in home prices – experts say it won’t happen. Instead, think about your homeownership goals and consider purchasing a home before prices rise further.

If you’re a seller, the continued home price appreciation is good news for the value of your house. Coming to market at the  right price based on market conditions is mission critical to generating the greatest response, interest and return.

Experts expect price deceleration, not price depreciation over the coming years.

I warmly invite you to reach out to discuss the housing market today, where things are headed, and what it means for you.