Navigating The Real Estate Landscape in 2024: Challenges and Opportunities

Understanding the Path Ahead in 2024

As we approach 2024, Central Ohio finds itself amidst a dynamic and intricate real estate landscape. The interplay of supply, demand, and economic factors significantly impacts homeowners, sellers, and buyers in the region.

In this comprehensive analysis, we explore national real estate forecasts to provide Central Ohio residents with valuable insights, enabling them to navigate the upcoming year with confidence.

National Real Estate Landscape: A Delicate Balance

The national real estate market in 2023 faced persistent challenges and evolving dynamics. Zillow's latest forecasts highlighted the trajectory of the market, shedding light on the path forward for buyers and sellers.

As we delve into these insights, it becomes evident that Central Ohio, like the rest of the nation, stands at a critical juncture in the real estate realm.

Current Market Overview: Challenges Amidst Opportunities

In 2023, the real estate market witnessed a confluence of low inventory levels and elevated home prices, granting sellers a considerable advantage.

However, prospective buyers faced hurdles in the form of fast-rising mortgage rates, leading to a decline in existing home sales. The median sale price for a U.S. home reached $394,300 by September 2023, and the average 30-year mortgage rate peaked at 8.01 percent, marking a two-decade high. While this is historically a normal rate, the rapid rate of increase was a shock to the system, quickly pricing buyers out of homes they had previously qualified for.

2024 Real Estate Outlook: Navigating the Challenges

Mortgage Rates

Expert predictions suggest that mortgage rates will remain above 6 percent in 2024. A significant drop could reinvigorate market activity, but substantial decreases require a sharp economic slowdown. Though a deep recession in 2024 is unlikely, a recession could lead to a different set of issues for the economy broadly.

Housing Sales

A slight uptick in housing sales is anticipated, especially if mortgage rates experience a decline. However, the increase is expected to be moderate due to the prevailing high rates.

A recent survey by Fannie Mae actually found that even if rates fall, some homeowners who are "locked in" to lower mortgage rates will still choose to stay in their homes. The survey found that "people said they were likely to stay in their homes longer than originally intended because of high home prices; the fact that family and friends live nearby; or that they simply like their houses."

Housing Inventory

Despite expectations of some increase in inventory, driven by new constructions and existing homeowners willing to sell, a significant surge is unlikely. Housing supply remains scarce, with only a 3.4-month supply available nationally.

In Central Ohio, our latest market report showed a supply of only 1.3 months. While that's up compared to the same time last year, it still shows persistently low inventory that will not change meaningfully without a significant increase in housing supply.

Home Prices

Home values are expected to rise in 2024 due to the persistent scarcity of housing supply. National forecasts project a modest increase of approximately 2.6 to 6.5 percent in home prices.

In Central Ohio, home prices are depreciating on a Month-over-month basis, but they are still elevated from the same time last year.

Expert Insights for 2024: Dissecting Predictions

1. Home Prices: Chief Economist Lawrence Yun from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and experts at Zillow anticipate a moderate increase of 3% to 4% in home prices. However, opinion discrepancies persist, with Moody’s Analytics and Morgan Stanley foreseeing a slight decline, underscoring the ongoing market uncertainty. 

2. Housing Supply: Chen Zhao, leading the economics team at Redfin, predicts a continued shortage in housing inventory. This scarcity is expected to persist, presenting challenges for both buyers and sellers.

Builders have not been able to keep up with demand and have about a decade's worth of inventory to catch up on. The pandemic only exacerbated the issue due to labor and material shortages. Owners of existing homes are reluctant to add to the supply of homes because they are "trapped" in low-interest mortgages that they are reticent to give up.

Zillow's Revised Projections: A Closer Examination

Zillow's 2024 real estate market forecasts, released in August 2023, reflected a significant upward revision. The predictions indicated a 6.5% rise in U.S. home prices from July 2023 through July 2024. This revision underscores their opinion of the ongoing impact of tight inventory conditions, exerting upward pressure on housing prices. The scarcity of available homes led to a notable 17% decline in existing home sales in 2023, creating a challenging environment for potential homebuyers.

Zillow's annual forecasts must be taken with a large dash of salt (as should any market predictions and Zillow data, generally). Historically, home prices have shown an average appreciation rate of around 4.6% annually since 1992, surpassing the Federal Reserve's target inflation rate of 2% by 2.6%. If inflation were to rebound to approximately 4%, Zillow's prediction of a 6.5% home price appreciation could become a reality.

However, in the upcoming 12 months, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to remain below the 4% mark. The ongoing impact of the Federal Reserve's rate hikes is likely to slow down the economy, making Zillow's projection of a 6.5% home price appreciation, a rate 43% higher than the historical average, seem questionable in this context.

Ripple Effects on the Rental Market: A Broader Impact

The constraints in the housing market are not confined to buyers alone; they extend to the rental sector. Rising home prices, coupled with limited inventory and increasing interest rates, have prolonged the reliance on rental housing for many prospective buyers. This unexpected shift has resulted in a growing gap in rental affordability, affecting individuals and families seeking housing within their budget constraints.

Inflation and rising rates will likely increase the cost of owning rental properties, which will continue to be passed on to renters. Making it even more important for prospective home buyers to buy instead of rent. Renters must remember that home ownership builds long-term wealth while renting eats away at wealth. A high rate can always be refinanced later, but higher rents are likely to remain sticky. Plus, paying rent is just buying a property for someone else instead of yourself.

Challenges in Lowering Prices: A Complex Dilemma

Lowering home prices significantly to offset higher monthly payments due to increased mortgage rates presents a substantial challenge. Peter C. Earle, an economist with the American Institute for Economic Research, emphasized that without a massive recession, such a drop is unlikely. Even if interest rates decrease, the tight supply is expected to persist due to a surge in demand. There are simply not enough homes being built to meet demand.

Navigating Central Ohio's Market Challenges: A Proactive Approach

For Central Ohio homeowners, these market dynamics underscore the importance of setting realistic expectations when selling a property. While prices remain elevated, careful consideration of the local market trends is crucial to pricing a home competitively. Collaborating with a local real estate expert can provide valuable insights, enabling sellers to strategize effectively. Home sellers must take home buyer affordability into account. After all, a home is only truly worth what buyers are willing, or able, to pay for it.

Prospective buyers in Central Ohio should prepare for limited options and higher prices. Consult with an experienced local buyer's agent who offers a nuanced understanding of specific neighborhoods and housing developments within Central Ohio. With knowledge, buyers can make informed decisions in this competitive landscape. At the Rita Boswell Group, our buyer's agents have the experience, proven strategies, and connections to help you as a buyer overcome market challenges to achieve your goal of home ownership.

Conclusion: Charting the Course Ahead Together

The 2024 real estate market presents a tapestry of challenges and opportunities for Central Ohio home sellers and buyers. In the midst of a seller's market, sellers can leverage the high demand, while buyers must navigate cautiously, considering their financial capabilities and market dynamics.

In this ever-evolving landscape, staying informed about the Central Ohio real estate market through our monthly market reports is essential. Additionally, consulting with our experienced Columbus real estate agents ensures personalized guidance tailored to Central Ohio's unique dynamics. By embracing a proactive approach and making well-informed decisions, Central Ohio residents can confidently navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the housing landscape of 2024.