Despite the sudden interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in September, housing mortgage rates did not see the expected stable decline, and home sales in California in September also stagnated. Industry insiders have found that home insurance has become one of the factors hindering potential buyers from purchasing homes.
On October 30th, the California Real Estate Center (CCRE) held a “Housing Summit” in Los Angeles. Melanie Barker, President of the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R), stated that the California real estate industry is at a critical moment, with various challenges converging to impact the market’s normal trajectory.
Barker pointed out that with soaring premiums, major insurance companies pulling out, and significant legislative reforms in progress, home insurance is undoubtedly the biggest issue facing the housing industry this year. Some people are unable to get home insurance no matter what, and some have lost their insurance despite never filing a claim.
At the beginning of this year, housing mortgage rates and affordability were the focus of public attention; however, soon the focus shifted to homeowner insurance, a problem that both existing homeowners and buyers cannot evade. The bad news is that California is still in the midst of an insurance chilly season.
A report from C.A.R. indicated that among members surveyed in 2023, 7% stated that many transactions failed because buyers couldn’t secure affordable home insurance. By this year, the proportion of members reporting this situation has reached 13%.
Although the California Insurance Commissioner has promised major insurance reforms by the end of the year to attract insurance companies back to California, experts are concerned that these mitigating measures are not immediately effective, and insurance companies need to see more rapid substantial changes.
Jeff Schroeder, Senior Vice President of Land, Planning, and Operations at Ponderosa Homes, a Northern California real estate company, believes that California’s legislative actions have not provided sufficient support to address the housing shortage.
“This year in the state legislature, there were two bills aimed at creating more housing, but at the same time, there were eight bills actually stifling housing,” he said. “Throughout this housing crisis of many years, we have continually seen many ‘housing killer’ bills.”
Experts believe that addressing the long-term housing supply shortage requires a multi-pronged approach; among them, advocating for consumer rights is crucial to reversing decades of insufficient housing investment.
According to C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Index (HAI), in the second quarter of this year, only 14% of homebuyers in California could afford a median-priced single-family home ($906,600), the lowest level in nearly 17 years. This means that people need to earn at least $236,800 annually to afford a single-family home.
Additionally, the proportion of California families able to afford condos or townhomes has also dropped to 22%. Families with an annual income of no less than $180,000 can afford a median-priced $690,000 condo or townhome. One of the reasons for rising prices is also the shortage of listings, creating a demand that outstrips supply.
However, the good news is that the market is currently entering the typical slow season for home buying, with inventory of homes for sale steadily improving.
Jordan Levine, Deputy Chief Economist of C.A.R., stated, “Uncertainty in the economy and expectations of larger rate cuts have caused many buyers to postpone purchasing.” However, on the other hand, the fourth quarter may provide a good opportunity for potential buyers who have been waiting to re-enter the market.