Existing-home sales expected to stabilize, price growth to continue in 2019, panel says

WASHINGTON — Consumers should expect home sales to flatten and home prices to continue to increase, though at a slower pace, according to a residential housing and economic forecast session at the National Association of Realtors’ 2018 Realtors Conference & Expo earlier this month.

As Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR, presented his 2019 housing and economic forecast, he was joined by Lisa Sturtevant, president of Lisa Sturtevant & Associates LLC of Alexandria, Virginia, who discussed the importance of affordable housing in the U.S.

Much of Yun’s presentation focused on recent declines in home sales, but in the context of long-term trends to illustrate the housing market’s actual performance.

“Ninety percent of markets are experiencing price gains, while very few are experiencing consistent price declines,” Yun said. “2017 was the best year for home sales in 10 years, and 2018 is only down 1.5 percent, year to date. Statistically, it is a mild twinge in the data and a very mild adjustment, compared to the long-term growth we’ve been experiencing over the past few years.”

As to the possibility that the nation’s real estate market is currently experiencing a small bubble, Yun was quick to shut down any speculation.

“The current market conditions are fundamentally different than what we were experiencing before the recession 10 years ago,” Yun said.

“Most states are reporting stable or strong market conditions, housing starts are underproducing instead of overproducing, and we are seeing historically low foreclosure levels, indicating that people are living within their means and not purchasing homes they cannot afford,” Yun said. “This is a stronger, more stable market compared to the loosely regulated market leading up to the bust.”

Housing affordability was also discussed by both panelists. While the U.S. is experiencing historically normal levels of affordability, potential buyers may be staying out of the market because of perceived problems with affordability.

“NAR research shows that a lower percentage of consumers think that now is a good time to buy, while more are indicating that it is a good time to sell,” Yun said.

“Problems could arise if the market is flooded with too many sellers and not enough buyers,” he said. “Fortunately, that does not appear to be the case, as indicated by months’ supply of inventory at below five months.”

Sturtevant discussed the importance of homeownership on a social level — how homeowners tend to be in better physical and mental health and have greater opportunity for economic selfsufficiency. Additionally, communities with more homeowners tend to be more economically prosperous and better able to attract and retain workers.

“I am a researcher, not an advocate, but the results of my research have compelled me to see the importance of affordable, stable housing and the positive economic impact to local communities,” Sturtevant said.

Looking to 2019, Yun shared his forecast for home sales and median home prices.

“The forecast for home sales will be very boring — meaning stable,” Yun said.

With a few months of data remaining in 2018, Yun estimates that existing-home sales will finish at a pace of 5.345 million

— a decrease from 2017 (5.51 million). In 2019, sales are forecast to increase to 5.4 million, a 1 percent increase.

The national median existing-home price is expected to rise to around $266,800 in 2019 (up 3.1 percent from 2018 this year) and hover around $274,000 in 2020.

“Home-price appreciation will slow down — the days of easy price gains are coming to an end — but prices will continue to rise,” Yun said.

All of these forecasts, however, are dependent on higher levels of home production.

“All indications are that we have a housing shortage,” Yun said.

“If you look at population growth and job growth, it is clear that we are not producing enough houses,” he said. “This is often a local issue, not a national one, so NAR has created a website where local associations and Realtors can go for information on how to advocate for increased supply in their communities.”

Commenting on the overall health of the U.S. economy, Yun noted that the economy is “good,” pointing out that the nation is seeing low unemployment, record-high job openings, historically low jobless claims, job additions for eight straight years and wages beginning to increase.

“This type of activity in the economy should support the housing market, even as interest rates rise,” Yun said.