Are You Underestimating Today’s Low Interest Rates When Deciding If The Time Is Right To Buy A Kansas City Home?

Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

Mortgage interest rates have risen about a half percent recently but they’re still at unbelievable lows. Buyers who continue to sit the fence are likely costing themselves a higher mortgage payment down the road. Of course, the price of a home also needs factored into the equation, but interest rates have a more dramatic effect than many Kansas City home buyers realize.

If you’re thinking of waiting for lower home prices before you buy a home, consider the following scenarios…

Scenario 1 (Today’s market):
123 Oak can be purchased today for $200,000.
Interest rates are 5%.
Buyer’s monthly principal & interest payment would be $1,074.

Scenario 2 (Down the road):
Home prices fall 5 percent and now 123 Oak can be purchased for $190,000.
But interest rates rise 1/2 percent and are now at 5.5%.
Buyer’s monthly principal & interest payment would be $1,079.

Scenario 3 (Down the road):
Home prices fall 10 percent and now 123 Oak can be purchased for $180,000.
But interest rates rise 1 percent and are now at 6%.
Buyer’s monthly principal and interest payment would be $1,079.

So if interest rates rise ONE percent (which is eventually going to happen), then a buyer will be able to afford $20,000 less home ($180,000 versus $200,000) using the price range in the sample above! A general rule of thumb to use when considering whether to buy today or wait until tomorrow is this… For every half percent interest rates rise, you’ll be able to purchase 5% less home in the future.