Ahead of Spring, Affordability a 'Psychological Issue'

Last week, the average rate for 30-year fixed mortgages fell to the lowest rate in more than 12 months, 4.35 percent. The Federal Reserve's "patient approach" of late has helped buoy builder stocks, but experts say that strong affordability headwinds re

March 4, 2019

The Federal Reserve's recent shift toward a more "patient approach" to raising interest rates has helped buoy builder stocks, but experts say that strong affordability headwinds remain in the market.

Last week, the average rate for 30-year fixed mortgages fell to the lowest rate in more than 12 months, 4.35 percent, whereas, in mid-November 2018, the rate hit a high of 4.94 percent. The OC Register says that investors are betting that more Americans will be able to buy homes in spring, but some analysts and economists say that high prices are still keeping buyers out of the market, buyers who either can't afford, or don't want to spend what the market currently calls for.

“Spring will not be as strong as last year, in part because spring last year was pretty strong, but also because homebuilders are trying to adjust price for a more cautious consumer who is concerned about price and competing with additional inventory,” said Carl Reichardt, managing director and homebuilding analyst at BTIG.

Big builders that have taken steps in recent years to build more communities priced for first-time buyers are likely to fare better this spring. Of those, Reichardt singled out D.R. Horton and Lennar. The analyst has “Buy” ratings on both.

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