Is 2019 a Good Year to Buy a House?

After a few years of a rising housing market, 2018 saw the market cool down a little. The slow-down made many people wonder about the outlook for 2019. Now that the new year has arrived, you can find out if 2019 is a good year to buy a house.

The Current Market

According to experts, 2019 might be a hard year for people looking to buy or sell homes. The interest rates are slowly rising, as are home prices.

However, there is some hope for those looking to buy or sell property in 2019. Economic growth should remain on the rise, as should the employment rate. As a result, more people might be able to afford buying new homes.

More Options

Because home sales have slowed down, buyers have more options. This is a benefit to those looking to buy a new home. Furthermore, the cooling of the market makes some sellers more eager to get rid of inventory. They might be willing to part with their property for a lower price.

Unfortunately, having more options doesn’t mean much if individuals can’t afford homes. As mortgage rates rise and home prices increase, more and more people will have a hard time affording new homes.

Should You Buy?

Deciding to buy a home is a major life decision. For that reason, many individuals agonize over the choice. They pay so much attention to the current state of the market that they ignore what matters – their own needs.

One of the most important things to consider when deciding whether or not to buy is your personal needs or wants. Are you trying to build a family? Does a new job opportunity require you to move into a new home? Before you decide to buy or not buy, you should consider your circumstances.

If you have a good reason for buying, then you should. The mortgage rates or home prices shouldn’t be the driving force in your decision. Instead, the driving force should be the needs of you and your family.

You should also consider the cost of renting. If you live in a city with high rent prices, then the mortgage rate is irrelevant. You could spend so much money on renting that buying is more economical. Before you decide not to buy a home, do the math.

One of the major obstacles encountered while buying a home is the deposit. Whether or not you should buy a home depends on how much money you have for a deposit. If you have the money and have good credit, you should consider buying.

Finally, you should consider the house itself. If you find your dream house, then you should buy it. Houses don’t stay on the market forever. Rather than lose your chance at the house of your dreams, you should make an offer.

Tips for Buying

If you plan on buying in 2019, you can do a few things to increase your chance at a successful purchase. For one, you should try to keep your debt-to-income ratio low. If you want a fair mortgage rate, you need a low ration. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requires borrowers to have a ratio of 43% or less.

Another tip is to work with Pittsburgh real estate attorney – Stoner Law Offices. By working with an attorney, you can ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you are treated fairly.