
A combination of continued price increases and relatively higher interest rates during the first quarter of 2014 led to decreased housing affordability in all regions of the state, C.A.R. reported.
While the percentage of home buyers who could afford to purchase a median-priced, existing single-family home in California rose slightly from 32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 33 percent in the first quarter of 2014, affordability declined sharply from the 44 percent rate reported in the first quarter of 2013, according to C.A.R.’s Traditional Housing Affordability Index (HAI).
Home buyers needed to earn a minimum annual income of $86,419 to qualify for the purchase of a $416,720 statewide median-priced, existing single-family home in the first quarter of 2014. The monthly payment, including taxes and insurance on a 30-year fixed-rate loan, would be $2,160, assuming a 20 percent down payment and an effective composite interest rate of 4.46 percent. The effective composite interest rate in fourth-quarter 2013 was 4.43 percent and 3.56 percent in the first quarter of 2013.
Source: C.A.R
While the percentage of home buyers who could afford to purchase a median-priced, existing single-family home in California rose slightly from 32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 33 percent in the first quarter of 2014, affordability declined sharply from the 44 percent rate reported in the first quarter of 2013, according to C.A.R.’s Traditional Housing Affordability Index (HAI).
Home buyers needed to earn a minimum annual income of $86,419 to qualify for the purchase of a $416,720 statewide median-priced, existing single-family home in the first quarter of 2014. The monthly payment, including taxes and insurance on a 30-year fixed-rate loan, would be $2,160, assuming a 20 percent down payment and an effective composite interest rate of 4.46 percent. The effective composite interest rate in fourth-quarter 2013 was 4.43 percent and 3.56 percent in the first quarter of 2013.
Source: C.A.R