Everyone knows that housing affordability has been negatively impacted by rising prices and increasing mortgage rates, but there is another piece to the affordability equation – wages.
How much a family earns obviously impacts how easy or difficult it is for them to afford to own a home. Because of an improving economy, wages are finally beginning to increase – and that dramatically affects home affordability.
According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) September 2018 Housing Affordability Index, wages have increased in every region of the country:
After applying current salaries, home prices, and mortgage rates to their Home Affordability Index equation, the index, though still lower than this time last year (160.1 to 146.7), increased over the last month (141.2 to 146.7). For the complete methodology used by NAR, click here.
The percentage of income needed to own a home has also decreased each of the last three months. It currently sits at 17% which is substantially lower than historic numbers.
Bottom Line
If you are a first-time buyer or a move-up buyer who believes that purchasing a home is not within your budget, let’s get together to determine if that is still true.
Hi, I am Chrysti. I am a Fair Oaks based REALTOR® and Real Estate Advisor who believes real estate works best when it feels human, calm, and supported. If you like a big sister energy kind of guide, you and I will get along just fine.
I have lived in the Sacramento and Placer foothill communities for more than three decades, and I care deeply about the people and stories here. I created I Love Fair Oaks because this town has a heartbeat, and I wanted a place to celebrate it. That work spills naturally into real estate because helping people move through life with clarity and confidence is what I love most.
My background includes real estate, mortgages, title, photography, design, and marketing. All of that helps me protect my clients and make the process feel as smooth as possible. When things get confusing, I explain. When things get stressful, I steady the room. When you need someone in your corner, I am right there with you.
I serve Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, Gold River, Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville, Rocklin, and the foothill communities that surround them. If you are planning a move or exploring what is next, I am here to help you find your way.
Contact916 320 2663c@chrystitovani.comCA DRE 01118449eXp Realty of California
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