Housing Trends During Election Years: What History Tells Us

Dated: July 25 2024

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Presidential elections often spark a lot of discussion, and their impact on the housing market is a hot topic. Here’s a friendly dive into how these elections historically influence home sales, mortgage rates, and home prices.

Home Sales Trends

Historically, home sales tend to see a minor slowdown in November during election years, but they generally bounce back quickly and continue to rise the following year. In fact, after 9 of the last 11 presidential elections, home sales have increased, showing a resilient market that adapts and grows regardless of political changes.

Mortgage Rate Patterns

Mortgage rates tend to decrease leading up to presidential elections. In fact, rates have dropped before 8 of the last 11 elections. This trend is often due to market uncertainty, prompting the Federal Reserve to implement policies to stabilize the economy. While there may be slight changes, the overall impact on mortgage rates is usually minimal and short-lived.

Home Price Movements

Home prices have risen after 7 of the last 8 presidential elections. Prices generally follow existing market trends and continue to appreciate, even during election years. This indicates that economic conditions and housing demand play a more significant role in determining home prices than election outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, presidential elections have a limited and short-term impact on the housing market. While there may be slight fluctuations in home sales, mortgage rates, and prices around election time, the overall market remains robust and continues its trajectory of growth.

If you have questions about how the current political climate may affect your home buying or selling plans, feel free to connect with us. We're here to help you navigate the market with confidence.

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Your Howard Team

Welcome — we’re glad you’re here.We’re Ruth and Frank Howard, known locally as Your Howard Team, and we help homeowners across the Willamette Valley make smart, confident real ....

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