En 2024, el mercado inmobiliario de Estados Unidos sufrió una notoria caída, con las ventas de viviendas existentes disminuyendo a niveles que no se veían desde 1995. La Asociación Nacional de Agentes Inmobiliarios informó que solo se vendieron 4.06 millones de casas durante el año, lo que representa una disminución del 0.7% respecto a 2023. Esta reducción resalta las dificultades que enfrentan tanto compradores como vendedores en la situación económica actual.
In 2024, the United States housing market experienced a significant downturn, with existing-home sales plummeting to levels not seen since 1995. The National Association of Realtors reported that only 4.06 million homes were sold throughout the year, marking a 0.7% decrease from 2023. This decline underscores the challenges faced by both buyers and sellers in the current economic climate.
Se han señalado varios factores importantes como contribuyentes a esta desaceleración:
Several key factors have been identified as contributors to this downturn:
- Elevated Mortgage Rates: Throughout 2024, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fluctuated between 6% and 8%, making home financing increasingly burdensome for potential buyers. Despite the Federal Reserve implementing three short-term rate cuts during the year, mortgage rates remained high, recently surpassing the 7% threshold. This persistent elevation in rates has deterred many prospective homeowners from entering the market.
- Rising Homeownership Costs: Beyond mortgage rates, additional expenses such as home insurance and property taxes have escalated, further straining the finances of potential buyers. These increasing costs have compounded the challenges associated with purchasing a home, leading many to reconsider or postpone their buying decisions.
- Limited Housing Inventory: The market has also been characterized by a constrained supply of available homes. In December 2024, the inventory stood at 1.15 million units, reflecting a 13.5% decrease from November but a 16.2% increase compared to December 2023. This limited availability has driven home prices upward, further exacerbating affordability issues for buyers.
A pesar de la disminución en las ventas, los precios de las viviendas han seguido subiendo debido a la oferta limitada. El precio medio nacional de las viviendas existentes en diciembre de 2024 llegó a $404,400, lo que representa un aumento del 6% respecto al mismo mes del año anterior. Aunque esta cifra está por debajo del récord de $426,900 registrado en junio, resalta los continuos desafíos de asequibilidad dentro del mercado inmobiliario.
Variaciones Regionales
La caída en las ventas de viviendas no fue uniforme en todo el país. Las regiones del Noreste, Sur y Medio Oeste experimentaron disminuciones en ventas, mientras que el Oeste registró un ligero aumento. Estas disparidades regionales sugieren que las condiciones económicas locales y las dinámicas del mercado inmobiliario desempeñan roles significativos en la influencia de la actividad de ventas.
Perspectivas para 2025
Outlook for 2025
Looking ahead, there is cautious optimism among some economists regarding the housing market’s prospects in 2025. Factors such as increased housing inventory and a robust job market are expected to contribute to a potential rebound in home sales. Projections for the year vary, with anticipated increases in sales ranging from 2.3% to 12%, depending on economic conditions and mortgage rate trends.
