This Housing Market Is Only Getting Worse

And the Fed’s latest move won’t help… [Turn Your Images On] [This Housing Market Is Only Getting Worse]( [Turn Your Images On] [Matt Clark, Chief Research Analyst]( I don’t own a home. The reason may not make sense to you, but it did to me when I made it. In my past life as a journalist, I was never “home” for very long. I had road trips for sports or long hours doing extensive research for investigative pieces. I didn’t spend a lot of time at home or in one place, so the thought of buying a home was never really crossed my mind. You might think I regret my decision, but I don’t … especially in today’s world. Let me explain. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Turn Your Images On]( From our Partners at Curzio Research. [Easy 10x return]( Police departments across America are deploying a futuristic new device called the “Batman Gun.” Meet the no B.S. stock analyst who got shot... Get all the details about the tiny company that makes it... And why he thinks you could see a 10x return–EASY–[from this trade as it replaces the taser](. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Interest Rate Quandary A few days ago, I was in Mike Carr’s daily trade room and we started talking about mortgage rates — the interest charged on a home loan. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is just below 8% if you have good credit … and above 8% if you don’t. That average rate has risen higher for the last two years: [Turn Your Images On] [(Click here to view larger image.)]( After years of the average mortgage rate fluctuating around 3%, homebuyers are looking at the highest interest rate since the turn of the century — close to 8%. Highest 30-Year Mortgage Rate Since 2000 [Turn Your Images On] [(Click here to view larger image.)]( That means, for every $1,000 you borrow, you will pay an extra $80 in interest to the bank. In real numbers, assuming you are buying a $300,000 home with 20% down at 3.25% interest (the average interest two years ago), your monthly payment would be $1,445, including taxes and fees. The same $300,000 home with 20% down at 8% interest brings that monthly payment up to $2,162. It’s a significant difference in monthly payments — $717 a month, to be exact. That’s a big reason why I — and millions of other Americans — are not buying homes right now. Even if I did own a home and wanted to buy a new one, the timing is awful because I would pay significantly more for a new home than what I’m paying for now. It’s one of the reasons why the housing market is struggling right now … and why there will be more pain to come. Housing Market Woes to Continue This week, the Federal Open Market Committee held the fed fund rates as expected. So the obvious question … especially for prospective homebuyers … is: Why are rates still climbing higher? In March 2022, the Federal Reserve started its interest rate hike spree in hopes of tamping down inflation. That made it more expensive for banks to borrow. And as every business does, banks pass those costs along to consumers in the form of higher interest rates for every type of loan. As the Fed continues to hold rates higher for longer, bank costs continue to rise, thus rates continue to climb. So even though the Fed held its fund rates steady, bank costs will continue to grow and push loan rates — such as mortgages — higher. And that means new mortgage applications have hit a wall: [Turn Your Images On] [(Click here to view larger image.)]( The Mortgage Bankers Association Purchase Index tracks the mortgage applications on single-family homes in the U.S. It hit a two-year low at the end of October. The index is down more than 60% from its 2021 high and shows no signs of slowing down. People aren’t buying homes as much as before due to higher prices, higher interest rates and a lack of supply. Bottom line: As rates go higher and applications dwindle, the pain in the U.S. housing market is only going to get worse. For many owners and non-owners alike, you aren’t likely to buy because it’s too expensive. If you do own a home and are looking for a change of scenery, you aren’t likely to buy because … well … it’s too expensive. You’re better off just staying where you are and paying less. With the Fed’s “higher for longer” rate mantra, mortgage rates are only going to go up… It’s likely to only get worse for the U.S. housing market before it gets better. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Turn Your Images On]( From our Partners at Banyan Hill Publishing. [Rare Chance to Be an Early Investor in AI Energy Breakthrough]( Technology expert Ian King has found a way to invest in the technology powering AI energy. A breakthrough that presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fast-acting investors. [Just go here for full details](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow: How Housing Stocks Stack Up Managing Editor Chad Stone is going to run some of the most popular housing stocks through our proprietary Green Zone Power Ratings system to see if any are investable as interest rates remain elevated. Until then… Safe trading, [Matt Clark signature] Matt Clark, CMSA® Chief Research Analyst, Money & Markets --------------------------------------------------------------- Check Out More From Stock Power Daily: - [FACTOR INVESTING MADE EASY]( - [INVESTING TO PREPARE FOR $150 OIL]( - [INTEREST RATES AT 7%?]( Privacy Policy The Money & Markets, P.O. Box 8378, Delray Beach, FL 33482. To ensure that you receive future issues of Money & Markets, please add info@mb.moneyandmarkets.com to your address book or [whitelist]( within your spam settings. 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