Bidding wars seemed to be the norm in 2021. And if you were searching for a home, you know this to be true. Will bidding wars still be a thing in 2022?

According to a Redfin report, 72% (nearly 2 in 3) of homebuyers faced a bidding war last year. Bidding wars made an already challenging, pricy real estate market even more so. Some buyers were forced to waive contingencies, skip inspections, and make offers well above the asking price just to get ahead of the competition! In addition, there were even some homebuyers who made all-cash offers which made the competition even steeper.  Surely, this can make anyone feel rushed when trying to make one of the biggest decisions of their life.

If you’re currently on the hunt for the home of your dreams, don’t feel discouraged. Be patient and the right house will come along. According to Redfin, in November 2021, the bidding war rate hit its lowest point since 2020, with just 60% of buyers coming up against one.  So, will the trend continue as we move further into 2022? Can buyers expect a less competitive market? The answer is yes. Those bidding war days are behind us as they are starting to dwindle, giving buyers more room to make decisions. Here are a few reasons why we’ll see fewer bidding wars:

Mortgage Rates are Rising 

Yes, rates are still at historic lows, but most experts predict a continued rise in rates as the year continues. Fannie Mae predicts average rates around 3.2% by 2022’s end while others have a more bullish view, projecting 4% for the year (Mortgage Bankers Association). Without a doubt, rate increases are in the cards. As a result, this will dampen buyer demand. With fewer buyers comes fewer bidding wars and an easier market for those looking for their dream home.

Inflation Has Buyers Pulling Back

Inflation is on the rise. In fact, the Consumer Price Index increased 7% over the last 12 months as of December, marking the highest inflation rate seen in nearly 40 years. This has worried many consumers. Sadly, many have called it quits on their homebuying dreams. According to a Redfin survey, 29% of respondents said rising inflation has caused them to delay buying a home. The survey also stated that 11% had given up on home buying altogether.  Inflation, just like rising rates, is another factor that should help alleviate competition and reduce bidding wars.

Supply is Expected to Increase

If you’ve been house hunting, you’ve seen the low inventory of houses on the market. The limited housing supply had a lot to do with last year’s housing market. However, as the year goes on, experts say inventory will rise as we get further into 2022. Redfin predicts new listings will surpass 7.6 million this year, the biggest share since 2018, while Realtor.com is betting on a 0.3% increase in inventory for 2022. Increasing construction will help the pressure on supply as well. Don’t get discouraged, there is light at the end of the tunnel for home buyers.

What Can You Do Now So You’re Prepared to Buy Your Dream Home?

In today's highly competitive housing market, you'll want to make sure you are pre-approved first! Pre-approval gives you an advantage if you get into a multiple-offer scenario, and these days, it’s likely you will. When a seller knows you’re qualified to buy the home, you’re in a better position to potentially win the bidding war. Overall, it’s better to be prepared now and ready for when you find that perfect home. So, make sure to get pre-approved first.

Benefits of Getting Pre-Approved

• You’ll know how much you can afford.

• Shows you’re qualified.

• Negotiate a better deal as the pre-approval removes uncertainty for the seller.

• Beat out the competition.

• Reduce time and close your loan faster.

• Move one step closer to homeownership.

How to Prepare for a Bidding War

If you do come face to face in a bidding war situation, we want you to be prepared, especially if you’ve found the home of your dreams. Being prepared means you'll be able to move quickly and confidently in today's competitive market. Check out these Bidding War Tips:

1. Have your pre-approval letter in hand.

2. Know what you can afford. You’ll want to make the highest offer, but don’t ignore your budget. Bidding wars can get emotional, but you must be able to walk away if it doesn’t make sense for your financial situation.

3. Make your best offer. Speak with your real estate agent. Find out how much competition there is. They will help you determine what factors might make your offer more enticing like flexible move-in dates, competitive offer price, minimal contingencies.

4. Write a Personal Letter to the sellers. Click here to learn how to write an award-winning Real Estate Offer Letter.

5. If you can, offer an all-cash deal.

6. Drop the contingencies.

7. Be available. Make sure to leave your information with the seller and invite them to contact you or your agent with any questions about your offer. Finally, respond to inquiries quickly and be flexible.

Bottom Line:

In today’s competitive market it’s best to be prepared and to arm yourself with as much home buying knowledge as possible. Although it may be challenging to find a home right now, as we get further into 2022, things will improve. Bidding wars should lessen, making home buying easier for those on the hunt.  

You may have heard the term rate lock before. Rate locks can save you thousands of dollars over the time you hold the mortgage loan, but what exactly are they and how do they work?

Mortgage interest rates are constantly moving up and down throughout the day and daily. During the underwriting and process stages of a mortgage, rates can fluctuate. Getting a mortgage rate lock is a way to keep your interest rate from moving higher before closing day.

What is a mortgage rate lock?

A rate lock, also known as rate protection, keeps your interest rate from rising between the time you apply for a mortgage and the time you close on your new loan.

A mortgage lender will set aside the necessary funds and “lock” loan terms and interest rates. In essence, think of a lock as your “RSVP”; the mortgage lender sets aside necessary funds for your transaction, and they will assume the risk of rates rising during the lock period.

Locking a rate allows clients to get the best mortgage rate possible while going through the refinancing or purchasing process. For example, if Greenway Mortgage locks in your rate at 3.5 percent for 45 days and rates jump to 4.5 percent within that period, you’ll get your loan at a lesser rate.

How long does the rate lock last?

The moment a loan is locked, the clock starts ticking! Lock periods typically last from 30 to 60 days, though in markets where the loan approval process is slow, the lock period can last as long as 90 days. The shorter the period that the lender locks a rate, the more beneficial to you in terms of the overall cost.

How does the length of a rate lock affect your cost?

In mortgage lending, almost every cost factor comes down to one variable—risk. You will generally find that the more risk a client is willing to assume, the better rates and terms a lender is willing to offer. Conversely, when a lender assumes more risk, they tend to counter that risk with higher costs. In this case, the longer a lender guarantees an interest rate, the larger a buffer they will require to offset that risk.

How much does a rate lock cost?

It depends as every mortgage lender is different. It also comes down to the amount and term of the loan. Some lenders do charge for a rate lock, though others offer one for free. But not everything is free. The fee may be included in the rate you were offered. Speak with your lender for more information.

Is a mortgage rate lock worth it?

The benefits of a rate lock outweigh the risk. If you want to protect your homebuying power, it may be worth it. The rate lock is about preventing your mortgage payment from going up due to possible rate hikes before closing. Not locking a rate can mean having to come up with a higher down payment if rates did go up. Given where mortgage rates are at today and the possibility of them going higher, getting a rate lock can pay off!

What happens if you commit to locking a loan and you do not close in that period?

Sometimes, conditions arise that delay the process, and loan locks "expire" before a lender can close the transaction. In this case, the lender will typically grant an extension on the lock period but at an additional cost. An expiring loan lock does not typically jeopardize the overall likelihood of the loan's closing.

Bottom Line

If you have a good mortgage rate, lock it. Mortgage rate locks may protect you from rising rates and give you peace of mind. Speak with Greenway Mortgage for more information. The security of protecting yourself from rate spikes is worth it.

When it comes to homebuying, knowing what you can afford should always be step number one. In today’s housing market, a real estate agent or seller is going to want to know if you’ve been pre-approved by a mortgage lender.

But what does pre-approval really mean, and why is it so important?

With rising home prices and high buyer competition, a pre-approval letter is crucial prior to making an offer. This year especially, being intentional and competitive are musts when it comes to buying a home.

Benefits of a Pre-Approval Letter

• A pre-approval letter is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you’re able to borrow for your loan.

• It shows that you’re a qualified buyer, which gives you a huge advantage in an ultra-competitive market.

• You may be able to negotiate a better deal as the pre-approval removes a lot of uncertainty for the seller.

• Winning an offer on a property that has multiple bids as the pre-approval makes you a stronger buyer.

• Confidence and peace of mind.

2022’s Competitive Housing Market is Real – Be Prepared

If you’ve been house hunting you know that there is limited housing inventory which means there are more buyers active in the market than there are sellers. In turn, this creates some serious competition. If you’ve been searching for your dream home, we know it’s frustrating, but don’t give up!

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes today are receiving an average of 3.8 offers for sellers to consider. As a result, bidding wars are still common. Pre-approval gives you an advantage if you get into a multiple-offer scenario, and these days, it’s likely you will. When a seller knows you’re qualified to buy the home, you’re in a better position to potentially win the bidding war.

Freddie Mac explains:

“By having a pre-approval letter from your lender, you’re telling the seller that you’re a serious buyer, and you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage by your lender for a specific dollar amount. In a true bidding war, your offer will likely get dropped if you don’t already have one.”

How Can You Gain an Advantage As a Home Buyer In Today’s Hot Housing Market?

Greenway Mortgage has expedited the approval process with its truly digital experience. With an easy online application and third-party verifications, Greenway Mortgage has significantly reduced the time and paperwork for the approval process.

So, remember what we said before? Pre-approval should be step number one when it comes to the home buying process. Before you head out to search for your dream home, click here to fill out our online pre-approval application!

In a competitive market with low inventory, a pre-approval letter is a game-changing piece of the homebuying process. Not only does being pre-approved bring clarity to your homebuying budget, but it shows sellers how serious you are about purchasing a home.

Our licensed mortgage experts are available 7 days a week to answer all your questions.

Since the pandemic, the meaning of home has certainly changed for many Americans.

For renters, the feelings of security and stability have become more important. The financial benefits that come with rising home equity when owning your own home have become clearer.  

Many homeowners have decided that their home no longer meets some of their needs as finding spaces for a home office or a home gym has become an obstacle. The need for a home with more space inside and out is now significant as our homes have been operating 24/7.

There are still two main obstacles some homebuyers face when it comes to buying a new home and which include: the ability to save for a down payment and the ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards. However, there’s good news for borrowers in 2022 as the FHFA announced that they will be raising its conforming loan limits for prospective purchasers in 2022.

THE FHFA Increases its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022

The FHFA has significantly increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. Sandra L. Thompson, FHFA Acting Director, explains in the press release that:

“Compared to previous years, the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits represent a significant increase due to the historic house price appreciation over the last year. While 95 percent of U.S. countie​s will be subject to the new baseline limit of $647,200, approximately 100 counties will have conforming loan limits approaching $1 million.”

What does this mean for borrowers?

This means that more homes qualify for a conforming loan with lower down payment requirements and easier lending standards – the two major challenges that hold many buyers back from buying a home.

This is great news for buyers and owners alike:

1. Buyers may be able to borrow more money through a conventional, typically lower-rate loan.

2. Owners may be able to refinance their "jumbo" loan to a lower rate conforming loan and possibly drop mortgage insurance, too.

3. Combining (or avoiding) smaller 1st and 2nd mortgages may now be an option.

4. The increase reaffirms the health of the housing market and your decision to invest in a home.

For all the specifics about the FHFA Conforming Loan Limit increase, click here.

The FHA also Increases Loan Limits for 2022

In addition, the FHA also announced they are increasing loan limits for 2022. This also means an easier path to homeownership for home buyers. For those who don’t have much saved up to buy a home or if their credit score could use some work, this new increase is beneficial.

The increases will allow more borrowers to take advantage of FHA’s benefits:

1. Low down payment options

2. Lower total cash-to-close requirements with gift or seller contributions

3. More lenient and streamlined refinancing

4. Ability to combine purchase and rehab financing

5. In some high-cost areas, higher loan limits than conventional mortgages

For more specifics on FHA’s Loan Increase for 2022, click here.

Bottom Line:

Buying a home in 2022 has just become easier for you! Reach out to the experts at Greenway Mortgage to learn about your home buying options.

Want to create a home office to call your own? Before getting started you’ll want to take into consideration functionality as well as aesthetics. We’ve got some design tips to help you get started!

Location Is Key

No Spare Room? No problem. Find a small nook in your home to make into your work from your home office. All you need is a desk and a chair. 

Don’t forget that natural light is your best friend! Make sure the area you pick has enough natural light flowing in. You’ll want to avoid any glare on your device screens as well. This way you can continue to be productive without straining your eyes.

Storage

Be sure to figure out how much storage you’ll need before you start planning. Instead of adding filing cabinets, maybe you could add shelves for a more stylish approach.

Furniture

If you sit for long periods during the workday, then you’ll want a comfortable chair. Your desk should also have enough room for the devices you need such as your computer and printer.

Pick The Perfect Color 

This is the fun part! Pick a color that will get in a productive mindset for work. Research shows that orange stimulates concentration and boosts creativity! The colors white and purple tend to improve motivation. What color would you choose?

Personalize Your Work from Home Office 

Make the office space your own- add a touch of you! Here are a few ideas:

·        Add photos of your family, friends, or pets

·        Add shelving around your work area

·        Add a chalkboard or a whiteboard for ideas or a vision board with your goals

·        Put up posters

·        Buy a plant for your desk

·        Add a clock

Tips for Funding Your Home Office

Wondering how you’ll be able to pay for this new home office? The cost of your home office will depend on many factors. For instance, will you be building a new office or renovating an existing space?

In our recent blog, you’ll find tips on how to fund your home office from using your savings to refinancing to using Greenway’s Home Renovation Loan. Click here for all the details.

Helpful Resources

·        Tips for Funding Your Work from Home Office

·        Create Your Work From home Office with a Renovation Loan

·        Greenway’s Home Renovation Loans

·        Home Refinance

·        A Cash-Out Refinance May be the Solution You Need for Your Renovation Needs

·        Contact Greenway Mortgage

·        Get a Free Pre-Approval