Can Homeownership Protect You From Inflation?

As the news goes today, you're more than likely to have heard about an increase in prices. In your day-to-day life, prices for gas, groceries, and more are likely going up. There are more and more costs for people to buy things. This can hurt your wallet and make you think twice about any big purchases you have planned.

If you've been thinking about buying a home this year, you might be wondering if you should keep going or if it would be better to wait. Here's how owning a home can help you deal with the rising costs that come with inflation, even though the answer is different for everyone.

Stability and security come with owning a home

Investopedia says that when there is a lot of inflation, prices go up all over the place. That's true for things like food, entertainment, and other goods and services, as well as housing, as far as I know. Rental and home prices are going up. So, as a buyer, how can you protect yourself from the cost of things going up? The answer is to own your own home.

Buying a home lets you keep your biggest monthly expense, your housing costs, the same. As long as you get a fixed-rate mortgage on your home, you can set your payments for as long as your loan lasts. Usually, this is for 15 to 30 years. 

As prices go up, your housing payment will stay the same. This will help you keep your budget in check even if other prices go up. It's not the same if you rent, and you won't be able to keep up with rising housing costs.

Use the rising value of your home to your advantage

Because mortgage rates and home prices are going up, it costs more to buy a house now than it did a year ago. You can still set yourself up for a long-term win, though. Now is the best time to buy so that you can lock in today's rates and prices before both of them rise.

You should put your money into an asset that usually stays or grows in value when inflation is high. The graph below shows that home price appreciation has outperformed inflation in most decades, going back to the seventies. This makes homeownership a historically strong hedge against inflation, as shown in the graph below.

Can owning a home protect you from inflation?

Today, experts say that home prices will only go up from here because there is still a lot of imbalance between supply and demand in the market. It will be good for your equity and your net worth if you buy a house. As a result, you can have peace of mind that your investment in a home is a good one, even in times when prices go up.

What Inflation Means For Your Homebuying Dreams

It might be a good idea to move forward with your plans even though prices are going up. If you want help with your specific situation and when to buy, a trusted real estate agent can help.

Coming Soon: Cute As A Bug Mid-Century Bungalow!

 

What a great location for this adorable beach bungalow!

243 Leighton St, Cambria 

Offered at $968,000 by Barnes and Associates Sotheby's International Realty

This charming Mid-Century Beach Bungalow is a rare find. Cute and cozy and only a half a block from the ocean. This property encompasses two nice, level lots in the desirable Park Hill community. Ocean views from the front patio area, and inside the living room and dining area too. Nice open concept for kitchen, dining, and living room complete with a comfortable and warming gas fireplace to enjoy those cool ocean evenings. Plenty of closets and storage.

All new windows, doors, bathroom rebuilt and upgraded, new water heater, flooring, plus more. Enjoy barbecues in your private backyard. Enjoy sitting out front on your sizable flagstone patio, enjoying the breaching whales and plentiful ocean birds. Invite your friends and family over to enjoy spectacular sunsets with a glass or two of local wines from the many local tasting rooms in the quaint town of Cambria. Just a short walk to the expansive Fiscalini Ranch Preserve for a morning hike or head over to Shamel Park for a picnic. Moonstone Beach is just a minute or two away offering world-famous beaches and restaurants. Beach living at its best! SEE MORE

Why pricing it right matters in today's market

With record-low inventory and high buyer demand, many homes are selling for more than asking price. 

Working with an agent to set the right asking price is critical, as pricing it too high or too low could have a negative impact on your final sale. NAR data shows 46% of homes in the U.S. are selling above list price today, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. 

Here’s why you need to work with your agent to get the right price for your home. The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. 

Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly. There are several factors that go into pricing your house and balancing them is the key. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about: the value of homes in your neighborhood, the current demand for houses in today’s market and the condition of your house. 

A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your home makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end.