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Do interest rates have an impact on your home value? While the answer to this question is often debatable, lets consider the buyer's situation. Assuming a place where you could borrow interest-free and had the ability to make a monthly payment of $1,000 a month. Since there is no interest, this buyer can afford a mortgage where his monthly payment is $1,000. Lets remove tax, PMI*, insurance since these are add-ons to a mortgage regardless of your interest rate. With a 30 year fixed rate at at 0%, this buyer could afford a home worth $375,000 (excluding the above add-ons). With a 30 year fixed rate at at 2%, this buyer could afford a home worth $275,000 (excluding the above add-ons). With a 30 year fixed rate at at 4%, this buyer could afford a home worth $225,000 (excluding the above add-ons). With a 30 year fixed rate at at 8%, this buyer could afford a home worth $135,000 (excluding the above add-ons). *These rates were as recent as 10 years ago. Try some scenarios with a mortgage calculator. As you can see, rates have a direct impact on a buyers affordability. In relation to US history, we currently have historically low interest rates. Will these rates climb over time? Some argue that the US economy is simply not strong enough to undertake rate hikes whether they be steep or gradual moves over time. This isn't to speculate interest rates in the future but to consider your situation as you buy a home at a time of low interest rates. Inflation has a role in money over time. This inflation that we have seen over time may often be misconstrued as home values appreciating, when in realty homes are adjusting to inflation. That's not to say that homes do not appreciate. Demand… Continue Reading