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Mortgage rates start 2020 well below last year's average

The average U.S. fixed rate for 30-year mortgage slides to 3.72%

 

In the first week of the year, the average U.S. fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage averaged 3.72%.

Not only is this percentage below the previous week’s average, but it’s also nearly 80 basis points below the 4.51% of the year-earlier week, according to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

“As investors kept their eyes on the phase one of the U.S.-China trade deal, 10-year Treasury notes closed 2019 lower than a year ago,” said George Ratiu, Realtor.com’s chief economist. “The conventional 30-year loan slid 2 basis points to 3.72% in the first week of 2020. Rates remain about 80 basis points lower than the first week of 2019.”

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-rates-start-2020-well-below-last-years-average/

 

 

2019 Rent Prices - Nationally, cost of rent went up 4.1% for one-bedroom units

 

As 2019 saw historically low vacancy rates among multifamily housing, it also led to a rising cost of rent, too.

According to realtor.com, a report from Abodo said rental prices went up in 38 states, including Washington, D.C., in 2019. In the other 12 states, the cost of rent actually fell, but only slightly.

 

Nationally, median rents for one-bedroom units went up 4.1%, making monthly rent $1,078 at the end of 2019.

Prices for two-bedroom units went up 5.5%, making monthly rent $1,343.

 

In 2019, multifamily occupancy rates reached as high as 96.3%. The demand of multifamily housing keeps rising, as home prices are also continuing to climb.

 

According to realtor.com, rental prices surged the most in Utah. There, rent went up 3.78% in 2019, reaching $965 for a one-bedroom unit.

 

“In states like Utah, people are relocating for jobs,” Abodo said in its report. “Many folks are coming from California and other high-priced hubs. People need to find places where they can live and afford to live a lifestyle that they want.”

Renting cost the most in Massachusetts, where the average one-bedroom unit cost $2,218 a month.

Renting surged the most in Detroit, where cost of renting a one-bedroom went up 7.48%, making rent $886 a month. ;l

 

The highest rents in the nation were, at no surprise, San Francisco and New York City. On average, renting a one-bedroom unit was $3,877 and $3,082 a month, respectively.

 

Renters in Montana saw the biggest price cuts in 2019. Rents fell 1.6%, to an average $745 a month for a one-bedroom unit.

 

 

Comprehensive List of 2020 Real Estate Events

https://www.inman.com/2020/01/02/a-comprehensive-list-of-2020-real-estate-events/