Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images
In this competitive housing market buyers are willing to make some concessions to cut costs or get the house of their dreams.
About 58% of adults in the U.S. are willing to take action to find more affordable housing, with Generation Z and millennials more likely to do so than older generations, according to a survey from Bankrate.com found. This includes moving to a cheaper area and buying a retainer.
Of course, house prices are still high, thanks to still low stocks. In April, the average price of a sold existing home was supreme accounting at $ 391,200, up 14.8% from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.
More from Invest in You:
How to calculate your personal inflation rate amid rising prices
Half of Americans say inflation can have a negative impact on financial goals
How to find out if an adjustable rate mortgage is right for you
“Wages are rising slightly, but this price increase is really putting pressure on Americans who want to buy a house,” said Bankrate.com analyst Jeff Ostrowski.
“Now it is mortgage rates have grown quite sharply, there is a decline in affordability that is really affecting first-time buyers. ”
The mortgage rate on the 30-year fixed-term loan is now 5.36%, according to Daily Mortgage News. This is more than 3.29% at the beginning of the year.
According to Realtor.com, between house prices and high mortgage rates, mortgage buyers ’payments are about 50% higher than just a year ago.
Consideration of new directions
This accessibility restriction has some tailored areas or even states. Just over a quarter of U.S. adults are ready to leave the state, a Bankrate poll found. In addition, 20% would move away from family and friends, 13% would quit their jobs, and 11% would consider moving to a less desirable area.
With the growth of remote work, rethinking your geographical boundaries may make sense. However, remember that rebuilding life and moving can be stressful and difficult if, for example, you are moving away from the support system, Ostrovsky said.
“If you really want to go to another market, rent a place for a few months or a year and get to know the area,” he advised. – See if you really want to live there.
Select the top of the latch
Guide Meath Digitalvision | Getty Images
You will probably get a better deal on a home that requires work. Just remember that repairs can take a lot of effort and often take longer and cost more than expected, said Ostrovsky, who underwent the repairs.
“You just have to know what you’re in,” he said. “You’ll probably have to come up with a lot of money to pay contractors and buy materials.”
While there are loan programs to help cover costs, they tend to be more complex than mortgages, he said.
Problems with supply chains can also make repairs difficult, said Claire Trapas, deputy news editor at Realtor.com.
“Expect more waiting times for different appliances and materials, and you’re probably paying for them more than just a few years ago,” she said.
It is also difficult to find a good contractor because they are now very busy.
Refusal of inspections
As buyers compete for real estate, some miss the check.
According to the survey, a quarter of buyers were willing to give up unforeseen circumstances such as inspections and assessments to close the deal. Realtor.com. A survey of 3,000 U.S. adults was conducted Feb. 16-18.
However, abandoning inspections is extremely risky, Trapas said.
“If there’s something wrong with the house that they can’t see with the naked eye, repairs can cost them tens of thousands of dollars,” she said.
However, you may want to consider a structural review that looks at the electrical and structural components of the home, such as the foundation and roof. This signals to the seller that you will not pay for less.
Trade wars
A survey of realtors showed that 22% of sellers said that their house is at war.
If you decide to join it to get the house you want, enter a plan, said Ostrovsky of Bankrate.
“Have an idea of how much you’re willing to pay, how high you want to go and at what point you’re going to give up the bidding war,” he said.
Don’t go crazy and maximize your budget, especially given inflation and high energy costs, Trapas added.
“Leave yourself room to turn in case of an emergency or in case costs continue to rise,” she warned.
Remember that there are other ways to adjust the deal, such as putting in a larger initial payment, renting out a house if the previous owner needs more time, or choosing a faster closing date if possible.
REGISTRATION: Money 101 is an 8-week financial freedom training course delivered weekly to your inbox. For the Spanish version Dinero 101, click here.
GET OUT: Meet a 34-year-old guy who has sold over 11,000 items on Etsy and earns nearly $ 3,500 a month in passive income with Acorns + CNBC
Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors Acorns.