Top 10 Indicators for 2021

Image by Bob Horowitz on Flickr under Creative Commons license

The following is from Leonard Steinberg, Chief Evangelist for Compass. If you’d like to receive his daily insights, contemplations, and premium listings around the country, contact me and I’ll have him add you to his list.

Indicators are a great source of knowledge and insight to the future, and right now we are confronted with several touch-points that are important to note as we anticipate what might happen in 2021:

1. Ultra-low interest rates. They are historically low. They are also fueling rising prices. Seldom - if ever - has there been a weak real estate market in a low interest rate environment.

2. Limited Inventory. Many areas around the US are experiencing shortages of several types of properties, especially more affordable entry-level homes. More buyers than sellers usually fuels a strong market but can influence volume.

3. High Demand. The demand to buy a new home continues to escalate, fueled further by accelerated plans AND Millennials coming of age to buy.

4. Under-building. The US is under-constructing homes by MILLIONS.

5. COVID Vaccines. They are here and distribution is about to start. Millions will be vaccinated every month. There is now a clear path to significant relief and an end to the pandemic.

6. Stimulus Money. Trillions of dollars are already circulating globally and more is coming to further fuel the economy.

7. Elections. The election insanity of 2020 is coming to a close. By the time the run-offs are complete in January, we will have a better understanding of future direction in the Federal Government. Certainty has value.

8. Bonus Season. Yes, many people will be getting bonuses this year especially in the financial and technology markets where some companies have BOOMED. This capital will fuel real estate markets.

9. Record Equity Markets. Not only do they make people richer, they make them FEEL richer. Moods often drive markets as much as money.

10. The Optimism of Spring. Spring markets are often strong markets around the country. They fuel optimism and hope and renewal.

So will 2021 deliver a strong real estate market? We’ll just have to wait and see.