5 ways the housing market will surprise us all in 2020

By: Sanjiv Das

In my three decades in the financial markets, I’ve come to expect the unexpected. With the new year upon us, I’m sharing five predictions for the U.S. housing market that counter conventional wisdom. These ideas may not necessarily come to pass, but I’ll explain how they could materialize. Thinking about these outcomes aren’t just theoretical but can help prepare us if they, in fact, happen.

1. Mortgage refinancing will last longer than expected:Already some 11.7 million Americans are eligible or “in the money,” as they have taken advantage of decreased rates. More U.S. homeowners refinanced their properties in 2019 than at any time since 2016; volumes in 2019 were $678 billion, up from $458 billion in 2018. Remarkably, some 82% of loans originated between six- and 25 months ago can benefit from a refinance today — and 2016 was the last time that this percentage of loans were in the money. If rates drop another 25 basis points, or 0.25%, this will bring even more homeowners into the money. As rates remain low, refinancing should continue unabated.

2. Housing affordability improves: Interest rates are one of the primary drivers of home sales. We’re in a low interest environment and Core Housing Lenders (CHLs) are coming off banner years with record revenues and volumes. As a result, mortgage lenders have increased their underwriting capacity. Therefore, as rates go up, firms may continue to absorb these increases, effectively subsidizing the cost for consumers. In other words, homebuyers may see affordability remain constant or improve throughout 2020.

3. Home purchases will increase: Home sales have been increasing, up 2.5% in July 2019, beating expectations in August, and up 7.4 percent in November 2019, versus a year ago. What’s more, building permits have recently exceeded expectations. And consumer sentiment towards buying a home have also become more positive. A survey of loan officers showed that demand for home purchases was at the highest levels in the third quarter of 2019 since the same period in 2017. If rates remain low as expected, the home purchase market will likely experience a boom, as millions of Americans, especially millennials, will want to take advantage of the attractive economics.

4. Non-qualified mortgage market will evolve more quickly: A non-qualified mortgage (QM) is quite simply a mortgage that doesn’t meet the standards of the Qualified Mortgage Rule, which was adopted in 2014. Non-QM mortgages are often designed for self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, and near-prime borrowers. There is much discussion in policy circles about reforming the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae. There appears to be a widespread understanding that these GSEs will eventually reduce their footprint in the market. Therefore, there may be more interest and activity in the non-QM mortgage market throughout 2020.

5. Gig economy workers will drive a new wave of homebuying: Remarkably, some 36 percent of workers are part of the “gig economy” and work multiple jobs Uber drivers and freelancers on Upwork. Unfortunately, the standard mortgage application process doesn’t make it easy for these workers, which requires W2 forms that these individuals may not have. The Self-Employed Mortgage Access Act would enable lenders to accept alternative forms of income and job verifications. The enactment of this law would be a boon to millions of Americans who want to take part in the American Dream of owning a home. But those of us in the housing industry aren’t waiting for Congress, as my firm and others are introducing responsible ways to verify gig economy workers.

Sanjiv Das is the CEO of Caliber Home Loans. Previously, he was the CEO of CitiMortgage.

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