Why 2016 is a good year to buy a new home

After years of ups and down in the housing market, financial experts predict that 2016 is a good year to buy a new home.

Housing inventory will increase.

Sellers who have been watching and waiting for prices to increase will see that trend level out. Home prices rose 8% in 2012, 11% in 2013, and 5% in 2014, according to Barron’s. In 2016, Zillow’s Chief Economist Svenja Gudell expects the climb to plateau somewhat, with only a 3.5% increase. That means more sellers who have been on the fringe will seize the opportunity to put their homes on the market and capture the steady flow of new homebuyers.

In addition to the resales, however, homebuilders will become more aggressive, particularly in building starter and middle-range homes.

Mortgage rates are climbing.

The historic low interest rates on mortgages will creep upward. With the Federal Reserve expected to increase rates, new homebuyers should recognize that waiting much longer will cost them.

“You are likely to get the best rate you will possibly see, perhaps in your lifetime, through the majority of next year,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Realtor.com in December 2015.

Employment has become more secure.

Businesses are hiring again. Unemployment figures dropped nationwide to 5.3% in June of last year, a dramatic improvement over the 10% unemployment rate in 2010. With more people off the job market, more buyers should qualify for the housing market.

Rents keep going up.

Supply and demand in the rental market favors the landlord. Expect monthly rent to keep rising every year. Meanwhile, you could get a low-interest mortgage (with a low down payment) that will not be subject to the same fluctuation.

Bottom line? Stop procrastinating. Make 2016 the year you reap the rewards of homeownership.