Throughout the many proverbs of King Solomon, houses are linked with prosperity and stability. “A wise woman buildeth her souse,” he says in Proverbs 14:1. And even today, owning a home has traditionally been associated with responsibility and security. But that isn’t an option for many potential homebuyers, who are leery of taking that first plunge into homeownership — with significant implications for the future of the US housing recovery as a whole.
Traditionally, first time homebuyers have tended to be young, secure in the workforce and ready to start a family. But today’s economic realities have changed that picture. More and more college graduates are leaving school with a burden of thousands in student debt – a phenomenon we’ve discussed in previous posts. That kind of debt makes recent grads reluctant to take on more debts in the form of mortgages. Not only that, defaulting on student debt damages the credit needed to qualify for a home loan.
Aside from student loan debt, an iffy employment picture means that some potential buyers simply don’t have the income available to swing a home purchase. According to a recent article in RE Insider, many loan types are requiring higher down payments – and imposing tighter standards for borrowing, which eliminates lower income purchasers.
What’s mo,re, the kinds of lower priced houses that are traditionally bought as “starter” homes are in short supply in some markets. Many current owners of those homes are still underwater with their mortgages or are unable to sell for other reasons, so the remaining houses available for sale may be priced out of a first time buyer’s budget.
Those low-cost, often foreclosed homes that first time buyers might be able to afford are also the target of barge-scale investors who can pay cash for properties for a quick transaction that removes them from the market. That effectively shuts out would be homebuyers who may be ready to buy – but find now houses they can afford.
The absence of the first time buyer from the market affects the evolving housing recovery in several ways. The growth of the housing market then rests on refinancing, new home starts and investor activity, as well as the movement of larger homes for which there are few new buyers. And because potential first time buyers are either choosing not to purchase or are locked out of the process entirely, the pool of renters continues to expand – good news for become property investors following Jason Hartman’s recommendations for building wealth in real estate. (Top image: Flickr/CatieRhodes)
Background:
RE Insider. “Are First-Time Buyers An Endangered Species?” REOnsider.com.. 16 Jul 2013.
Solomon Success is the complete solution for Christian investors. Read more from our archives:
Can Math Skills Help the Housing Recovery?
When Sinners Entice Thee: Online Investing Scams
The Solomon Success Team
