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The number of homes available for sale is slowly rising. “After almost a year of declining inventory, Iowa has seen seven months straight with a gradual increase of homes on the market,” according to the Iowa Association of Realtors.

While we are still in a Seller’s Market, the frenzy and multiple offer scenario has moderated, making the home purchase experience less stressful and more pleasant. Four to six months of inventory is considered a market balanced for both buyers and sellers and fewer than four months of inventory is considered a Seller’s Market. Only Burlington, IA has a balanced market. All of our other markets are Seller’s Markets, but they also have more inventory available than this summer. According to Zillow, the share of listings with a price reduction grew for the fourth straight month, also suggesting modest improvement in buying conditions.

Average Home Sales Prices Up Significantly, and Homes Still Appreciating

Across our three state region (eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and southwest Wisconsin) our average sales price is up 8% compared to the fall of last year. There is a lot of variation in the amount of increase from market to market. Again, as supply has increased, we are seeing fewer multiple offer scenarios that push sales prices over list price.

Mortgage Rates Still Low - Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

Interest rates are still at historically low levels. As of October 12, mortgage rates with no points were:

• 15-Year Conventional Fixed: 2.125%

• 30-Year Conventional Fixed 2.875%

• FHA/VA 30-Year Fixed: 2.50%

Projections from economists of Fannie, Freddie, MBA and NAR put rates around 3.5% by midyear to the third quarter of 2022. With home prices appreciating and mortgage rates rising, it is important for buyers to understand that the sooner they buy, the lower their monthly payment will be and the more house they will be able to afford.

Will Home Prices Fall? Is This A Bubble?

Absolutely not. Due to supply still lagging demand, home prices will continue to climb. More Americans are buying homes with mortgages in 2020 and 2021 than any single year from 2008-2019.

According to RealTrends, “In the years 2020-2024 we have the best housing demographic patch ever recorded…. Based on demographics, our two sweet spot years will be 2022 and 2023. During this time, we will have a lot of people of first-time home buying age who will need shelter. But housing demand isn’t just from millennials and Gen Z coming into the home buying age. We will also have our move-up, move-down, cash and investor buyers adding to the demand.” And investors know real estate is the best hedge against inflation.