by The Offer Company 
Inflation is a term that typically brings up images of prices going up, but it has an impact on many things in the economy. One area of the economy where inflation affects significantly is that of home prices. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between inflation and home prices to gain better insight into how they are connected.
Historical Overview
It’s important to look at past changes in both inflation and housing prices over time to gain a better understanding of the relationship between them. We can see that there have been periods where the rate of inflation was higher than average while home prices stayed relatively stagnant, and periods when home prices outpaced inflation. One example occurred during the 1970s when inflation rose as high as 14 percent but home prices went up by nearly double-digits each year as well. This suggests that there could be something driving up home prices beyond just rising costs due to inflation.
The Role of Interest Rates
The key factor that drives the relationship between inflation and home prices is interest rates. When interest rates drop, it makes it easier for people to borrow money which increases demand for homes and drives up their price; conversely, when interest rates rise it becomes more difficult for people to borrow money which leads to reduced demand for homes and lower prices. This means that even if inflation is relatively low if interest rates are also low then there could be a significant increase in housing prices due to increased borrowing power from people who take advantage of lower rates.
The Impact on Consumers
The impacts of these changes in both inflation and home prices can have drastic effects on consumers’ decisions regarding whether or not they should buy or rent a home. When house prices are increasing at a rate faster than normal due to low-interest rates, buyers may feel compelled to purchase now before they miss out on potential future appreciation in value; however, this could lead them into taking on more debt than they can handle if interest rates rise or if their income stagnates while their housing costs increase due to inflationary pressures. On the other hand, renters may find themselves benefiting from falling rents caused by reduced demand due to rising interest rates (as those looking to purchase homes turn away from renting). They might also potentially benefit from reduced competition from buyers during periods where housing markets slow down, making it easier for them to find a place to rent at an affordable rate with fewer choices available for buyers.
Summary
It’s clear that there is a complex relationship between inflation and home prices that impacts how consumers make decisions about buying or renting a home. While changes in inflation can affect how much consumers must pay for goods and services as well as drive up housing costs, generally speaking, fluctuations in interest rates also play an important role in determining overall cost trends for both buyers and renters alike depending on their individual situation at the time when making such decisions.
The Offer Company helps home buyers and sellers navigate the complex and ever-changing real estate market. With their experienced agents who stay up to date with all changes in inflation, interest rates, and housing prices, they have the expertise to provide guidance throughout the entire process. To get started on your journey of buying or selling a home, call The Offer Company at 602-448-7377.
