Impact of Rising Rates When Buying a Home

by The KCM Crew on December 10, 2010 ·

There has been much volatility in the 30 year mortgage rate over the last few weeks. According to Freddie Mac, rates have soared almost a half of a percent in just the last four weeks and now are as high as they have been in the last six months.
Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac, explained:

After Europe made strides in its debt situation, investors left the security of U.S. Treasury debt causing bond yields to rise and mortgage rates along with them.  Interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgages are now almost a half percentage point higher than the record low set in mid-November.

No one knows for sure what will happen as we move forward. The only thing we know for sure is that rising rates have a tremendous impact on a buyer’s payment. There are home buyers standing on the sidelines waiting for the prices of real estate to bottom out. If you are one of these buyers, be careful. You should be as concerned about the monthly COST as much as you are concerned about the PRICE.
Below is a table showing the impact rising rates have on the monthly payment – even if prices continue to soften:

Bottom Line

You want the best value possible whenever you purchase anything. When buying real estate, the best value is not determined by price alone. Value is determined by price and financing costs. Take both into consideration when timing your purchase.