2018 LakeTalk January 2018 | Page 21

PURCHASING POWER AFFECTS BOTH BUYERS & SELLERS! Recent history has provided us with interest rates hitting record lows, but according to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the writing is on the wall with recent rate increases! Th e Mortgage Bankers Association also predicts that they will continue to rise over the next four quarters. Of course, everyone understands that lower interest rates mean lower monthly payments, but what is oft en overlooked, is that every increase in rate decreases purchasing power! LIZ BURROW® ® 301.788.6076 LakeLinganore.com SELLING? BUYING? BUILDING? Love Where You Live Lak eHomesByLiz@comcast.net What this means for buyers is the ability to aff ord less house. For sellers, the impact is that the pool of buyers in their price range becomes smaller and smaller. A .75% rate increase could reduce buying power by as much as 10% as indicated below in this chart courtesy of ‘Keeping Current Matters’. Buyers who are pre-approved are not necessarily assured that they will be able to purchase in the price range in which they initially begin, so keep a close eye on interest rates. Taking too long to make a decision, or hesitating over a few thousand dollars at the purchase price, could cost you more than you think. Beautiful Custom Homes from $400s 240.309.6000 240.309.6000 On behalf of Boy Scout Cub Pack 628: Th ank you to all those who supported the pack with their donations towards the “Scouting for Food” service project in November. Approximately 4,800lbs of food was donated the Urbana Food Bank! Also, thank you to Beachy Companies for allowing the pack to utilize their trailer to transport donations. LakeTalk January 2018 21