Healthcare Provider Update: Provides medical plans through Kaiser Permanente and Aetna, along with dental, vision, HSAs, FSAs, and EAP services 4. APAs HSA-compatible plans align well with ACA trends, offering tax-advantaged savings as premiums and deductibles increase in the marketplace. Click here to learn more
In view of the expected property price growth, APA employees should consider their real estate as an important part of their wealth and determine their readiness to sell, recommends Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group at Wealth Enhancement Group. 'Knowledge of the market trends and timings can make a huge difference to your financial returns.'
'Wesley Boudreaux of The Retirement Group at Wealth Enhancement Group recommends that APA employees determine how the anticipated rise in home values will affect their personal financial plans. It is possible that delaying the decisions on the housing market, especially in the current economic environment, may improve their long-term financial position.'
In this article, we will discuss:
1. 'Forecasted Trends in Housing Prices: An analysis of the predicted rise in house prices by Bank of America and the possible positive implications for homeowners, particularly those from the APA company in light of the pandemic and current mortgage rates.'
2. 'Economic Factors Influencing the Housing Market: Examining how changes caused by the pandemic, including increased remote working and preference for suburban areas, along with fluctuating mortgage rates, are influencing the present and future of real estate.'
3. 'Strategic Considerations for Home Selling: Examining the advantages and disadvantages of not selling a home until the prices rise and how population changes influence the housing market trends.'
Learn why it is beneficial to hold off on selling your real estate property in today’s market and how these tips can help you maximize your return on investment.
According to Michael Gapen, the Chief US Economist at Bank of America, the prices are still going to rise quickly. According to the bank, house prices will grow by 5% in 2025 and 4.5% in 2024. For the APA employees who plan on selling their homes, it may be worth considering the post-pandemic world and the present mortgage rates. It might be better to wait for a few more years.
The property market has been on the rise post-pandemic and the values of homes have increased by 6% on average every year. This has created a very good market for those who own the properties. Bank of America has pointed out that this trend is likely to persist.
In their most recent analysis of the housing market, Gapen and his team expect prices to keep rising by 4.5% this year and 5% in 2025. They predict that there will be no cooling down of the market until the year 2026, which means that current homeowners, including those from APA, might stand to benefit from waiting since higher sale prices may be possible in the near future.
The Virtue of Patience
There are several good reasons why it could be advantageous for homeowners to prevent selling. Gapen points out that the economic effects of the pandemic are still ongoing and may not reach their fullest in late 2025. This has also increased long-term housing trends such as working from home and preferring suburban areas which still keep the prices high. Another important factor for homeowners is the changing mortgage rates. Many got rates as low as 3% during the pandemic. With rates now sitting at 7%, it may actually be more advantageous to remain in one’s home. The Federal Reserve may cut rates later this year, but Bank of America believes it may take years for the difference between current and historical mortgage rates to disappear, which makes a strong case for staying in one’s home.
Possibility of Price Increases After 2026
Homeowners can expect price increases for the next two years at the minimum. If the impacts of the pandemic decrease to the point of almost being unnoticeable by the end of 2025, the market may level off and even experience a slight rise of 0.5% in 2026. The macroeconomic conditions are expected to improve, the housing supply is expected to increase, and the monetary policy is expected to loosen, which should bring down the prices. However, there is a possibility of prices rising even after 2026.
Historically, real personal discretionary income has been highly correlated with housing prices. As Bank of America notes, the current momentum in home prices may lead to sustainably higher prices than the fundamental values. This inertia provides homeowners, including those at APA, with more opportunities for appreciation. If the effects of the pandemic are worse than expected, and the housing market remains strong, prices can rise another 5% by 2026. Furthermore, the population dynamics in the subsequent years will continue to stimulate housing demand. Millennials have now become the largest home buying segment and are likely to influence the market in a big way.
Therefore, it is recommended that a homeowner only considers selling their property when they are certain that they can sell at a higher price due to market trends. A recent Harvard University study pointed out that the percentage of older individuals with mortgage debts has doubled over the last three decades, which is good news for many retirees to wait out potential increases in property value.
This information is not intended as a recommendation. The opinions are subject to change at any time and no forecasts can be guaranteed. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor's specific circumstances. Investing has its risks, including the possibility of losing principal.
Featured Video
Articles you may find interesting:
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
-
Sources:
-
Santarelli, Marco. 'Housing Market: Sell Now or Wait? What Does Bank of America Say?' Norada Real Estate Investing July 8, 2024, www.noradarealestate.com/blog/housing-market-sell-now-or-wait/ . Accessed February 4, 2025.
-
Dahl, Roxanne. 'According to Bank of America Economist, Housing Market is 'Stuck' Until at Least 2026.' Weekly Real Estate News, July 7, 2024, wrenews.com/bank-of-america-economist-housing-market-stuck-2026. Accessed February 4, 2025.
-
Amelia. 'Bank of America: Housing Market Challenges Expected to Persist Until 2026.' Realty Biz Blog, 2024, realtybizblog.com/us-housing-market-stuck-until-2026. Accessed February 4, 2025.
-
'BoA Michael Gapen - Macro Economic Trends and Risks.' Motley Fool Community, September 11, 2022, discussion.fool.com/boa-michael-gapen-74773. Accessed February 4, 2025.
-
'Household Spending Remains Strong.' Bloomberg, undated, bloomberg.com/article/household-spending-gapen/. Accessed February 4, 2025.
What is the APA 401(k) plan?
The APA 401(k) plan is a retirement savings plan that allows employees of APA to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
How can I enroll in APA's 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in APA's 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment form available on the APA employee portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What is the employer match for APA's 401(k) plan?
APA offers a matching contribution of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions to the 401(k) plan.
When can I start contributing to APA's 401(k) plan?
Employees at APA can start contributing to the 401(k) plan after completing 30 days of employment.
What types of investments are available in APA's 401(k) plan?
APA's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.
Can I take a loan from my APA 401(k) plan?
Yes, APA allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts under certain conditions. Employees should consult the plan documents for specific terms.
What happens to my APA 401(k) if I leave the company?
If you leave APA, you have several options for your 401(k), including rolling it over to another retirement account, leaving it in the APA plan, or cashing it out, subject to taxes and penalties.
How often can I change my contribution amount to APA's 401(k) plan?
Employees can change their contribution amount to APA's 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
Is there a vesting schedule for APA's employer match?
Yes, APA has a vesting schedule for employer contributions, which means that employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the employer match.
How can I check my balance in APA's 401(k) plan?
Employees can check their 401(k) balance by logging into the APA employee portal or by contacting the plan administrator.