Your Home is a Hedge Against Inflation

-


The concern about inflation is the sustained upward movement in the overall price of goods and services while the purchasing value of money decreases.  Tangible assets like your home consistently become more valuable over time.  In inflationary periods, your home is a good investment and a hedge against inflation.

Money in the bank loses purchasing power due to inflation and the interest you may be earning is almost always less than inflation.

Home prices are going up but so is rent.  With mortgage rates near historic lows, the interest is, generally, less than the appreciation the property is enjoying.  Combine this with the leverage that occurs using borrowed funds to control an asset and your equity is most likely, growing at a faster rate than inflation.

A 90% mortgage at 3.5% for 30-years on a $400,000 home that appreciates at 4% a year will have an estimated equity of $220,000 in seven years due to appreciation and amortization.  That is a 27.5% annual rate of return on the down payment.  That is a significant hedge against a current inflation of 4%.

If a person were to put that same $40,000 in a certificate of deposit that earned 2%, it would be worth only $45,947 in seven years.  If it was invested in the stock market that earned 7% annually, the $40,000 would grow to $64,231.  The equity in the example for the home would be almost 3.5 times larger.

The assets that are considered to be good bets against inflation include some bonds, gold and other commodities and real estate.  Another distinct advantage of investing in a home is that you would be able to live there with your family and enjoy it which is not possible with bonds and commodities. 

There are certainly other considerations in a comparison like this such as maintenance, but it could be offset, at least partially, by the cost of housing being less than you would be paying for comparable rent.  And with the shortage of rental units available, the rent will certainly continue to increase annually where your housing costs are fixed with the exceptions of increases in property taxes and insurance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Talking Real Estate with Hope Leitner, January 2023

-
Image
  2023 is already making headlines for the Real Estate Market. Don't let the bad news scare you. There really is no crash in sight according to the professionals. San Diego is even less likely to experience a steep downturn. There's just too much demand for what comes on the market here. The gains in 2020, 2021 & 2022 were so extreme, any decline at all just indicates a stabilizing market.   Rising interest rates may mean that some buyers will look into risky loans, this article below will arm you with the knowledge necessary to avoid a mortgage pitfall.    I love hearing from everyone on this email list. I am here to support you whatever your real estate needs might be.     January - Ponder this -  “We are born in ignorance, we die in ignorance, but maybe sometimes we learn something important and pass it along to others before we die. Or we write it down in a little book.” - Greg Bear - Reading is what helps us overcome our ignorance, our fears, our self-made walls. Janua
Read more

San Diego Market Update May 2024

-
Image
The market is heating up in time for the traditional summer rush. I wish I could say when the market will cool off or at least level off, But, I can't. All I can say is the economy is steady and the real estate market reflects that.    Below you'll find the housing report for the current month along with data from the preceding months. San Diego County continues to grapple with an inventory shortage. The average cost of a home has risen, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some affordable properties out there.    Whether you're contemplating a purchase or sale, I invite you to reach out. Let's discuss your options within the dynamics of our distinctive housing market, ensuring your decisions align with the current trends and realities.   If you know anyone who might be interested in receiving this market update every month, please have them sign up at this  link.   I am always here for my clients and their friends and family.   Your Forever Agent,   Hope Le
Read more

Curious about the Real Estate Commision Ruling?

-
Image
    Are you aware of the settlement reached by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in a class action lawsuit last week?   This settlement could potentially have significant implications for the real estate market, particularly in regions with high property prices, like ours.   The lawsuit alleged that NAR's rules and practices regarding the sharing of commission between buyers' and sellers' agents stifled competition and inflated housing costs. As part of the settlement, NAR agreed to make changes to its rules and practices, including allowing greater transparency in commission rates and providing more information to consumers.   In high-priced regions like ours, where housing costs are already a concern for many buyers and sellers, any changes resulting from this settlement could have notable effects. Greater transparency in commission rates might lead to increased competition among real estate agents and potentially lower costs for consumers. However, it's esse
Read more