What to expect when you’re expecting inflation

Inflation: Short-lived or long-term?

By now, you’ve likely run across a headline regarding the large inflation jump we’ve experienced over the past six months. Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably noticed a general increase in prices for things like gas and food over the past couple of months. The last significant long-term inflationary period was in the 1970s when inflation expectations created a feedback loop largely because unions were common and had more bargaining power. As prices rose, union workers demanded higher pay, which increased operating costs and fueled rising prices. But 2020-21 is quite different from the 1970s. Currently, companies are using inflation as a mostly bad-faith excuse to raise prices during a time of record corporate profits, which will benefit companies as consumers bear the burden of rising costs. This is likely the unfortunate feedback loop we will see during the next six months. All that to say, as consumer costs rise, we might see demand for housing decline. With fewer experiences to spend money on during the pandemic, savings shot up, allowing potential homebuyers to reach their down payment goals far more quickly than expected. Inflation will cut into our ability to save. 

Unlike a normal business cycle, the pandemic is still disrupting the global supply chain, with fewer dock/port workers and truck drivers as well as continued international travel restrictions. This is compounded by the pandemic-related shifts in consumer preferences: consumers are choosing physical goods rather than services. The demand for physical goods isn’t unique to the U.S., either — the whole world is trying to recover economically with a move toward physical goods, which is stressing the supply chain. The good news, however, is that inflation will likely fall around summer 2022 and shouldn’t mimic the decade-long inflationary period of the 1970s. The bad news is that it isn’t coming down today.

Although not necessarily a strict supply chain issue, the rising cost of housing can definitely be tied to supply. In the U.S., the supply of houses for sale is still near the all-time low reached in April. At the same time, demand remains high for homes, and we are on pace to have around a million more homes sold in 2021 than in a typical year, based on the long-term average. In other words, more homes are selling despite the historically low inventory. Because inflation diminishes the purchasing power of a dollar over time, buyers face pressure to buy sooner rather than later, further increasing demand for homes. Coupling inflation with historically low mortgage rates creates incentives to buy now even with the run-up in prices.

The market remains competitive for buyers, but conditions are making it an exceptional time for homeowners to sell. Low inventory means sellers will receive multiple offers with fewer concessions. Because sellers are often selling one home and buying another, it’s essential that sellers work with the right agent to ensure the transition goes smoothly. 

The Local Lowdown

Low inventory lifts prices

Quick Take: • Single-family home prices increased dramatically in 2021. • From January through October, home prices rose across Southern California: Los Angeles County: +20%  Orange County: +18%  Riverside County: +19%  San Diego County: +16%  • Despite historically low inventory, the increase in home sales and speed of sales reflect the high demand in Southern California. • Months of Supply Inventory further indicates a sellers’ market. Note: You can find the charts/graphs for the Local Lowdown at the end of this section.

Home prices hit a ceiling (mostly)

After single-family home prices appreciated significantly in the first half of the year, it makes sense that price appreciation is slowing in the third and fourth quarters. Riverside County is the one exception, reaching a new all-time high median price in October. Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties are slightly below peak prices. Although inventory is near an all-time low, we expect a more muted price growth through the winter months, a seasonal norm. 

Condo price movements were mixed across counties. Riverside condo prices returned to all-time highs, while Orange and San Diego condo prices moved higher in the second half of the year but are still slightly below peak. Los Angeles condo prices declined in the second half of the year.

Home supply peaked at a low level

Despite the increase in single-family home inventory in 2021, we’re still at a historic low. The summer months typically have the highest inventory. In 2021, total inventory didn’t come close to last year’s level and was even further away from pre-pandemic levels. Even though we’re seeing some price correction after the first half of the year, the sustained low inventory will lift prices. Sales in Southern California have been incredibly high, again highlighting demand in the area.

Homes are selling fast — really fast

Homes are selling extremely quickly in the area. The Days on Market reflects the high demand for homes in Southern California. Buyers must put in competitive offers, which, on average, are 1–3% above the list price of the home. 

Months of Supply Inventory (MSI) quantifies the supply/demand relationship by measuring how many months it would take for all current homes for sale on the market to sell at the current rate of sales. The average MSI is three months in California, which indicates a balanced market. An MSI lower than three indicates that there are more buyers than sellers on the market (meaning it’s a sellers’ market), while a higher MSI indicates there are more sellers than buyers (meaning it’s a buyers’ market). MSI in Southern California is historically low for single-family homes and condos, indicating a sellers’ market.