Cincinnati Real Estate: Rising Interest Rates

I received some useful information from one of the loan officers I work with, Mike Zipfel from Midwest Mortgage. Home loan interest rates have been on a downward trend for the last few months, however as the economy begins to stabilize, and the stimulus money enters the economy, interest rates are beginning to rise. In the last week, rates have risen above 6% for the first time in recent history.

There are wide economic factors that drive interest rates and a number of economists on a recent NPR program feel that as inflation begins to appear interests rates will rise. A 1% change in interest rates can make a difference in the price range that a buyer afford. Below is a table that shows the impact a 1%  interest rate increase can have in the monthly payments on a  30 year mortgage.

interest-rate-chart

With this information in mind we are suggesting that any prospective home buyers who have been considering making a move do so now to take advantage of the affordability of Cincinnati’s current real estate market, the low interest rates, and the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers.

The Future Value of Cincinnati Homes

CNN Money published a study today on the future value of homes all over the nation. After looking through the home value tool, the outlook for Cincinnati is fairly similar to that of Ohio.  The state will see about a 5% drop in home values over the course of 2008 with the depreciation slowing to a less than 1% fall in 2009.

.

What this means to the average home buyer is that if you are looking to move up market, it is time to take a look and make a move. Moving upmarket in a housing slowdown is a financially rewarding thing if you are in a position to take advantage of the value changes.

.

If you are moving from a $150,000 home to a $250,000 that is a $100,000 jump. If both homes sell for 5% less due to the market you are moving from a $142,500 home to a $237,500 home in a $95,000 jump. Same homes in question. $5,000 savings. Moreover the new house property tax will be assessed at the 5%  lower sale price.