Mortgages Blog

• Tweet
• 
• Email

• Tweet
• 
• Email

The fact that it's still a buyer's real-estate market is no surprise. Despite small fluctuations, mortgage rates are low and so are home prices. The problem is that few are buying.

A survey by the mortgage company Fannie Mae shows that while 71 percent of Americans think it's a good time to buy a home, only 11 percent think it’s a good time to sell. Even though prices and rates are low, potential buyers are worried about the economy and employment, while sellers are waiting for prices to come up a bit before they put their home on the market. They're also hesitating because they're seeing that buyers lack confidence in both the economy and the housing market.

Sales nationwide are expected to increase only slightly, by 2 percent to 5 percent this year, according to predictions from mortgage company Freddie Mac. Some analysts are forecasting a healthier recovery in 2013.

The Wall Street Journal reports that although home prices are rising in certain areas of the country, including Florida and Washington, D.C., other markets, such as Las Vegas and Chicago, are still declining. But for those who want to sell, there are encouraging signs: Housing inventory is declining, from a 12.4-month supply in July 2010, to a 6-month supply last month, according to National Association of Realtors.

So if you want to sell and can hold off for another year, now may be the time to spruce up your home in preparation for putting it on the market.

Have you been waiting for a more positive housing market to sell, and will you buy again or rent?

Keep up with your wealth and mortgages and follow me on Twitter.

Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.