• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Johnson Team Real Estate

Johnson Team Real Estate

Your Bellingham Real Estate Resource

  • Search
    • Address
    • MLS#
    • Quick Search
    • Browse by City
  • Buying
    • Market Statistics
    • Mortgage Rates
    • Mortgage Calculator
  • Selling
    • Valuation Request
    • Get a Market Report
    • Market Statistics
  • Cities
    • Bellingham
    • Blaine
    • Everson
    • Ferndale
    • Birch Bay
    • Lynden
    • Lummi Island
    • Sandy Point
  • Neighborhoods
    • Alabama Hill
    • Birchwood
    • Bellingham’s Central Business District
    • Columbia
    • Cornwall Park
    • Edgemoor
    • Guide Meridian
    • Happy Valley
    • Fairhaven Historic District
    • Lettered Streets
    • Meridian
    • Mt. Baker
    • Puget
    • Roosevelt
    • Samish
    • Sehome
    • Silver Beach
    • South Hill
    • South
    • Sunnyland
    • Whatcom Falls
    • WWU
    • York
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook

Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008

October 31, 2022 by fawn

With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might be thinking this is a housing bubble. It’s only natural for those thoughts to creep in that make you think it could be a repeat of what took place in 2008. But the good news is, there’s concrete data to show why this is nothing like the last time.

There’s Still a Shortage of Homes on the Market Today, Not a Surplus

For historical context, there were too many homes for sale during the housing crisis (many of which were short sales and foreclosures), and that caused prices to fall dramatically. Supply has increased since the start of this year, but there’s still a shortage of inventory available overall, primarily due to almost 15 years of underbuilding homes.

The graph below uses data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to show how the months’ supply of homes available now compares to the crash. Today, unsold inventory sits at just a 3.2-months’ supply at the current sales pace, which is significantly lower than the last time. There just isn’t enough inventory on the market for home prices to come crashing down like they did last time, even though some overheated markets may experience slight declines.

3 Graphs Showing Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008 | MyKCM

Mortgage Standards Were Much More Relaxed Back Then

During the lead-up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get a home loan than it is today. Running up to 2006, banks were creating artificial demand by lowering lending standards and making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance their current home.

Back then, lending institutions took on much greater risk in both the person and the mortgage products offered. That led to mass defaults, foreclosures, and falling prices. Today, things are different, and purchasers face much higher standards from mortgage companies.

The graph below uses Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to help tell this story. In that index, the higher the number, the easier it is to get a mortgage. The lower the number, the harder it is. In the latest report, the index fell by 5.4%, indicating standards are tightening.

3 Graphs Showing Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008 | MyKCM

This graph also shows just how different things are today compared to the spike in credit availability leading up to the crash. Tighter lending standards over the past 14 years have helped prevent a scenario that would lead to a wave of foreclosures like the last time.

The Foreclosure Volume Is Nothing Like It Was During the Crash

Another difference is the number of homeowners that were facing foreclosure after the housing bubble burst. Foreclosure activity has been lower since the crash, largely because buyers today are more qualified and less likely to default on their loans. The graph below uses data from ATTOM Data Solutions to help paint the picture of how different things are this time:

3 Graphs Showing Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008 | MyKCM

Not to mention, homeowners today have options they just didn’t have in the housing crisis when so many people owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth. Today, many homeowners are equity rich. That equity comes, in large part, from the way home prices have appreciated over time. According to CoreLogic:

“The total average equity per borrower has now reached almost $300,000, the highest in the data series.”

Rick Sharga, Executive VP of Market Intelligence at ATTOM Data, explains the impact this has:

“Very few of the properties entering the foreclosure process have reverted to the lender at the end of the foreclosure. . . . We believe that this may be an indication that borrowers are leveraging their equity and selling their homes rather than risking the loss of their equity in a foreclosure auction.”

 This goes to show homeowners are in a completely different position this time. For those facing challenges today, many have the option to use their equity to sell their house and avoid the foreclosure process.

Bottom Line

If you’re concerned, we’re making the same mistakes that led to the housing crash, the graphs above should help alleviate your fears. Concrete data and expert insights clearly show why this is nothing like the last time. Let’s talk about your concerns today contact Mike Bredeson by calling 360.201.5088 or emailing Mike@JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Communities

Stay in the Loop

Sign up to receive market up date and the latest in real estate news!!

Search

  • Search
  • Buying
  • Selling
  • Cities
  • Neighborhoods
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
“Three Trees” icon indicates a listing provided courtesy of NWMLS.
DMCA Notice
The information contained in this listing has not been verified by The Johnson Team Real Estate at  Muljat Group Realtors® and should be verified by the buyer.
The database information herein is provided from and copyrighted by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). NWMLS data may not be reproduced or redistributed and is only for people viewing this site. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal. All rights are reserved by copyright.
IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed to be accurate. Listing information updated daily.

DMCA Notice

Copyright © 2023 · Office Help Center Log in