Zillow: Pandemic uncertainty is keeping 34% of home sellers out of the market

Didier Malagies • October 28, 2020

Zillow: Pandemic uncertainty is keeping 34% of the home sellers out of the market

 

Hesitant home sellers could be one reason there is such low housing inventory, according to a report from Zillow. Thirty-four percent of would-be home sellers said they are staying out of the market due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.


That uncertainty includes financial anxiety, which is keeping 31% of homeowners from selling in the next three years, according to the report.


A recent change in employment was a barrier to finding a new home for 27% of those who responded, while 17% said another reason was that their spouse or partner was laid off or involuntarily unemployed. On the other hand, one out of 10 homeowners said they weren’t selling because an adult child or other family member had moved in with them during the pandemic.


Nearly 40% of homeowners who said they would consider selling in the next three years said that they anticipate a more favorable price if they wait.


“Potential sellers are likely correct that home prices have yet to reach their peak, but in the long run, prices tend to rise, so there’s no clear ‘right time’ to sell,” Zillow Senior Economist Jeff Tucker said. “Homeowners who feel life is uncertain right now may think they can still get a strong price if they delay selling until they have more clarity.


“The catch is that waiting to sell may raise the cost of a trade-up. This fall’s record-low mortgage rates, which make a trade-up more affordable on a monthly basis, are not guaranteed to last,” Tucker said.




The difficulty of finding a new home is definitely weighing on some consumers, as 31% of homeowners in the survey who were considering selling in the next three years said their plans paused because they are concerned about finding or affording a new home.


Of those who are hesitant to put their home on the market, virus safety was one of the least frequently cited concerns among homeowners. Only 25% of potential sellers said they weren’t selling because they were concerned about their household’s health and safety during COVID-19.


Taking advantage of mortgage forbearance was the reason 6% of homeowners who were considering selling in the next three years decided to stay put.


And those who have just refinanced are also unlikely to sell soon. Record-low mortgage rates are the reason 15% said a recent refinance was a reason not to list their home for sale.


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Finally, putting a stop on the trigger list

By Didier Malagies • September 10, 2025
Excited to share a major update that will make the homebuying process more secure and less stressful. President Donald Trump recently signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 into law. This bill is a significant victory for the real estate industry, as it directly addresses the problem of unwanted calls, texts, and emails that often flood clients upon mortgage application. What's Changing? For years, many borrowers have experienced a barrage of unsolicited contact from different lenders immediately after their mortgage application. This happens because of "trigger leads"—a process where credit reporting agencies sell information to other companies once a credit inquiry is made. Effective March 5, 2026, this new law will put a stop to this practice. It will severely limit who can receive client contact information, ensuring client privacy is protected. A credit reporting agency will only be able to share trigger lead information with a third party if: • Clients explicitly consent to the solicitations. • The third party has an existing business relationship. This change means a more efficient, respectful, and responsible homebuying journey. We are committed to a seamless process and will keep you informed of any further developments as the effective date approaches. In the meantime, you can use the information below to inform clients how to proactively protect themselves from unwanted solicitations.  Opting Out: • OptOutPrescreen.com: You can opt out of trigger leads through the official opt-out service, OptOutPrescreen.com. • Do Not Call Registry: You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. • DMA.choice.org: For mail solicitations, you can register with DMA.choice.org to reduce promotional mail. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329

Finally putting a stop to the Trigger leads from happening

By Didier Malagies • September 10, 2025
We're excited to share a major update that will make the homebuying process more secure and less stressful. President Donald Trump recently signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 into law. This bill is a significant victory for the real estate industry, as it directly addresses the problem of unwanted calls, texts, and emails that often flood clients upon mortgage application. What's Changing? For years, many borrowers have experienced a barrage of unsolicited contact from different lenders immediately after their mortgage application. This happens because of "trigger leads"—a process where credit reporting agencies sell information to other companies once a credit inquiry is made. Effective March 5, 2026, this new law will put a stop to this practice. It will severely limit who can receive client contact information, ensuring client privacy is protected. A credit reporting agency will only be able to share trigger lead information with a third party if: • Clients explicitly consent to the solicitations. • The third party has an existing business relationship. This change means a more efficient, respectful, and responsible homebuying journey. We are committed to a seamless process and will keep you informed of any further developments as the effective date approaches. In the meantime, you can use the information below to inform clients how to proactively protect themselves from unwanted solicitations. Opting Out: • OptOutPrescreen.com: You can opt out of trigger leads through the official opt-out service, OptOutPrescreen.com. • Do Not Call Registry: You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. • DMA.choice.org: For mail solicitations, you can register with DMA.choice.org to reduce promotional mail. Didier Malagies nmls212566 DDA Mortgage nmls324329 

When is the right time to refinance your mortgage

By Didier Malagies • September 8, 2025
Good question — refinancing can be a smart move, but the timing really matters. The "right time" to refinance your mortgage depends on a mix of personal and market factors. Here are the main ones to weigh: 1. Interest Rates If current mortgage rates are at least 2% lower than your existing rate, refinancing could save you money. Example: Dropping from 7% to 6% on a $300,000 loan can save hundreds per month. 2. Loan Term Goals Switching from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage can help you pay off your home faster (though monthly payments are higher). Extending your term may lower your monthly payment but increase total interest paid. 3. Equity in Your Home Lenders usually want you to have at least 20% equity for the best rates and to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). If your home’s value has increased, refinancing can help eliminate PMI. 4. Credit Score If your credit score has improved since you got your mortgage, you may now qualify for much better rates. 5. Life Situation Planning to stay in the home at least 3–5 years? That’s often how long it takes to “break even” on refinance closing costs. If you might sell sooner, refinancing may not make sense. 6. Debt or Cash Needs A cash-out refinance can help if you want to consolidate higher-interest debt, fund renovations, or free up cash — but it raises your loan balance. ✅ Rule of Thumb: Refinance if you can lower your rate, shorten your term, or eliminate PMI, and you’ll stay in the home long enough to recover the costs. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
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