
3 Reasons Why the Housing Shortage Could Last Very Long
The housing supply is currently at its lowest level since the 1970s. Goldman Sachs said the shortage could last for years due to millennial home buying and fewer starts. There also won’t be enough foreclosures to make a meaningful impact on the market, the bank says.
Supply for homes can’t keep up with demand. At a point when the country badly needs more houses, housing starts fell 9.5% in April.
Housing starts are an economic indicator that reflects the number of privately owned new houses (technically housing units) on which construction has been started in a given period. The construction of a 30-unit apartment building is counted as 30 housing starts.
In May, the housing supply was at its lowest level since the 1970s. But as demand remains high, little is being done — and can be done — to fix the low supply.
The reasons for the imbalance has to do with millennials aging into a home-buying time of life, the lack of availability of construction materials and workers.
Three key reasons why the housing shortage may last for few years:
(1) Millennial home buying will boost housing formation
Even before the pandemic started, millennials were buying homes and boosting housing demand, but with homeownership rates rising around age 30, the true “millennial boost” is still to come.
The bank estimated how demographic change will affect the rate of household formation in the years ahead and found a household formation rate of 1.3 million per year for the next few years, higher than recent trends.
Millennial demand is intense for the starter home, and shortage existed even before the pandemic due to rising construction costs, restrictive zoning rules, and real-estate investors snapping up starter homes in hopes of making a profit.
Unfortunately, many millennials cannot take advantage of low mortgage rates, as there aren’t enough houses for them to buy.
(2) Homebuilding will be limited to 1.5 million starts per year
A lack of construction workers and a lack of available plots to build on also contributed to the housing shortage and won’t improve in the near term outlook. The forecast is that annual home building will be limited to 1.5 million in the coming years. Also, the building-material shortages, particularly lumber, are causing homebuilders to intentionally raise home prices – which would dampen some demand.
(3) Foreclosures won’t have a meaningful impact on supply
Pandemic-related forbearance provisions later this year should put some additional homes on the market, but not enough to have a big impact on the housing supply. As we see improvement in the labor market, which we expect in the coming months, it should increase households’ ability to resume mortgage payments. Of the roughly 45 million mortgages in the US, 4.5% are currently in forbearance, but the majority of those aren’t likely to enter foreclosure as economic conditions improve.
Growing Your Real Estate Business in the New Normal
Now, more than ever, the role of a real estate agent is critical in being the advisor to the home buyer and the seller. In such times, there is significant stress among buyers as they compete for reduced inventory. At the same time, sellers are unsure when to sell, and if they do sell – what options do they have. As a real estate agent, and with your experience, you need to communicate frequently with prospective clients why your service has tremendous value to them.
Show Why Hiring a Real Estate Agent Benefits The Client
Whether your client is looking to buy or rent a home, or sell a piece of property, or looking for an investment property, there are several benefits to hiring you, a real estate agent:
- Real estate agents are qualified and licensed.
- You have connections with others in the industry and community, such as title companies, appraisers, inspectors, landscapers, and contractors. Because of this, you know who might be your best bet for their unique needs and can get you in touch with the right contact.
- As a professional, you understand the market and current trends, including property prices and the community. This insight can help them make the right decisions without extensive research on their part.
Use the #1 Technology Solution that will do work for you
To compete and dominate in your market, use the best in class technology solution, ZipperAgent, which will automate most of your lead management, and sales and marketing activities.
Our IDX Website is the most advanced, and SEO-friendly that will help you rank high on Google Search in your market. Our system provides automated lead management and follow-up so you never miss a lead. Our predictive CRM captures all your prospect’s activities and reminds you in a timely manner of the exact tasks you need to do on any given day. It is designed to grow with your business – as a team or a brokerage you can add more members who can benefit from the rich features of ZipperAgent. It’s very easy to use and we provide great onboarding and support so you are never lost.
ZipperAgent also provides marketing services like monthly newsletters, social media and blog posting, create Property Flyers and Landing Pages – so you save time and focus on servicing your clients.
Don’t miss out on our summer special. Book a demo today to take advantage of the best tool that can elevate your business to a new level.
Source:
https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-shortage-real-estate-inventory-foreclosures-builders-millennials-goldman-sachs-2021-5