Looking back at 2018, we experienced a year of high expectations that largely did not disappoint. Markets continued to stabilise, economic promise grew along with property values, and the revitalisation of cities nationwide provided opportunities and population growth.

It was a good year for investors. But now, we have to ask ourselves: what does 2019 have in store for U.S. real estate? What national trends will shape the markets on the whole, and what do we have to look forward to…or keep an eye on?

This is what you need to know as we look ahead for 2019.

Top Predictions for the U.S. Real Estate Market in 2019

Balance is the word.

As we consider factors like growing inventory and the slowing of appreciation and asking prices, the word that comes to mind is balance. In 2019, we expect to see the return of more traditional housing markets that offer less frenzied, more evenly paced opportunities over the extreme environments we have seen booming in the last decade. These will be the exception. Savvy negotiators may be able to snag a great deal, and some markets are still on that rise – Detroit for example.

If buyers start to slow down, they will rent while waiting for the market conditions to change, thereby strengthening the rental market.

What’s the deal with interest rates?

Interest rates were at their lowest recent point post-recession in 2008. The federal government controls short-term interest rates, while the market dictates long-term rates. When the government changes the rates at which banks are allowed to borrow money, it can take several years to shift the economy on the whole, while the trickle-down affects the average consumer, where it has an almost immediate impact on things like credit cards, student loans, and yes…mortgages.

Interest rates are moving from a decade of being historically low to 5 and 6 percent as we enter 2019. Economists and real estate experts alike are concerned that this could hinder consumer spending power and make the burden of mortgages greater. In regards to housing, it may deter buyers even as housing prices are expected to fall. But most of this is what we would call “Sticker Shock” Its simply that interest rates have been at record lows for so long people lose sight of the fact that 5-6% is still quite cheap (remember the 15-20% of the 80’s and 90’s!)

Good news too though is that if buyers start to slow, the will rent for the mean time while biding time for the market to change, strengthening the rental market for us Aussie investors!

What about the trade war issue?

The global economy has always been a factor in the health of our markets, real estate included. The issue here is that tariffs and trade wars on a broad, global scale, may cause issues in the US domestic economic markets. Economists worry that cold economic relations with allies and a possible trade war with China could cause economic instability by 2020.

However, none of these things are guaranteed or set in stone.

Despite these predictions, good and bad, they are just that: predictions. The best we can do is to plan for the long-term and choose sustainable, smart investments that help you secure your best financial future.