What the housing market's 'new normal' in 2022 means, according to Fannie Mae

The housing market will enter a "new normal" in 2022 due to unprecedented coronavirus pandemic-induced changes to the housing market and subsequent policy responses, according to the latest Fannie Mae forecast. 

The mortgage giant forecasted that inflation will remain high and that home price growth will continue, adding that it's unclear what structural shifts in the economic and housing markets over the past two years will be permanent, according to its Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group's January 2022 commentary. 

The group says that home buyers could struggle with affordability challenges, and predicts home prices to jump 7.6% this year. Although that figure is higher than average, it's still down from the 17.3% home price appreciation that had been expected for 2021. This comes as high demand and home inventory shortages raise prices for home sales. And rising lumber prices and labor shortages also forced prices higher. 

You can take advantage of rising home prices by taking out a cash-out refinance before mortgage rates increase. Visit Credible to find your personalized rate without affecting your credit score.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY DROPPED TO ALL-TIME LOW IN 2021, ATTOM REPORT FINDS

Fed likely to raise rates several times, Fannie Mae projects

The ESR Group explained amid continued inflation, the Federal Reserve’s policy response will be critical in 2022 and 2023. The group projects inflation will average 7% annually in the first quarter before slowing to a still-elevated 4% by year's-end. Fannie Mae projects the Fed will raise rates a total of three times in 2022 to combat this inflation.

"We expect economic growth to continue slowing as the impacts of fiscal stimulus fade and the country's attention increasingly turns to rising inflation," Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae senior vice president and chief economist, said. "The Fed has accelerated the pace at which it intends to reduce monetary accommodation, as inflation appears more resilient than initially expected. 

"Currently, we expect inflation to run above the Fed's 2% target through 2023, and for the Fed to respond by tightening over that period," Duncan said. "The resultant rise in interest rates will likely put additional stress on housing affordability measures vis-à-vis higher mortgage rates for consumers and the continued, though decelerating, rise in home prices."

If you want to take advantage of low mortgage rates, which remain near record lows, visit Credible to compare multiple lenders at once and choose the one with the best interest rate for you.

FHFA INCREASES FEES FOR HIGH-BALANCE LOANS BACKED BY FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC

Consumers could see smaller savings in year ahead

Fannie Mae projects economic growth to continue in 2022, but says individuals’ savings accounts could begin to dwindle amid higher-priced purchases. It forecasts real gross domestic product (GDP) to reach 5.5% for 2021 – marking the strongest annual growth rate since 1984 – before falling to 3.1% in 2022.

"While consumers still have a significantly elevated level of savings, the rate of saving has fallen such that, over time, we believe 'excess' saving will likely be eroded and affordability increasingly constrained," Duncan said. "We observe an early indication of this in recent increases in debt-to-income measures associated with incoming mortgage originations."

Refinancing your mortgage could help you lower your interest rate and your monthly payments. The 30-year mortgage rate currently averages near the mid-3% range, according to data from Freddie Mac. Visit Credible to speak to a home loan expert and get all of your questions answered.

Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at moneyexpert@credible.com and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.