ReSET Blog
Blog · July 27, 2022 · AUTHOR: Darwin Pelea

How Does A Bear Market Affect Real Estate?

A bear market is a prolonged period of declining stock prices. It is generally considered a prolonged decline of 20% or more from the stock market's peak. Many factors can contribute to a bear market, including economic recession, high inflation, interest rate hikes, and political turmoil.

While a bear market can have a negative effect on many investments, it is important to remember that real estate is a long-term investment. When the stock market is in decline, it can have a ripple effect on the real estate market. Although there may be short-term fluctuations in the market, real estate generally increases in value over time. That is why it is important to consult a qualified Real Estate Agent to determine how It will impact your property during a market downturn. This blog post will explore how a bear market can affect real estate prices and investment.

What Is A Bear Market?

The term " bear market " describes a period when the prices of securities are reduced by at least 20% from their recent highs. Generally, bear markets occur when price declines continue for a long period. As a result of investors' and consumers' pessimism about the market, market value declines. In contrast to bull markets, where prices soar, and investors reap significant profits, bear markets are marked by low prices.

Bear Market Phases

First Phase:

In the first phase, investor sentiment is high, as reflected in higher prices. As the market approaches its end, the market begins to pull back from this phase.

Second Phase:

The second phase of a bear market results in investors withdrawing from the market, which results in a sharp, sudden decline in the market's value and price. When investors who invested during phase one withdraw during phase two, the market experiences a downturn unavoidably.

Third Phase:

The third phase sees the market being flooded with new investors. A speculator is more concerned with short-term investments than long-term ones, entering the market after the long-term investors leave to collect their profits. Investors who take on too much risk usually do not last very long because they enjoy short-term investments and do not worry as much about risk. Because speculators enjoy short-term investments, they dive into the market with little concern for risk.

The third phase of a bear market is characterized by speculators' investments that help boost prices for the fourth and final phase of the bear market. These investments are not made at all prices, but at those, the investor chooses to invest in.

Four Phase:

In the last stage, stock prices decrease gently as a bear market moves forward. After prices drop, economists start to promote government-backed positive market news, and investors begin to return to the market. Bull markets and bear markets follow these phases at the end.

How Does A Bear Market Affect Real Estate?

The housing market is driven by demand and supply, which are determined by several factors. One of the most important of these factors is interest rates. As interest rates rise, borrowing money for mortgages becomes more expensive, which can negatively affect real estate prices. That is why many investors are concerned about rising interest rates impact on the housing market.

One of the biggest factors is how the economy is doing. The housing market will be strong when the economy is doing well, and more people can buy homes. However, the housing market will suffer when there is a recession, and fewer people have jobs.

When inflation rises rapidly, the value of your home will decrease due to rising costs for utilities, groceries, and other essentials such as furniture and appliances. If you live in an area with high inflation, it's important to budget appropriately so that you don't spend more money than you make each month or year.

In real estate, the primary factor that causes a bear market is usually an economic recession. It is because many people who own homes in financially healthy areas find themselves unable to sell their properties due to the falling value of their properties and rising living costs. When this happens, they are forced to default on their mortgages and may even walk away from their homes completely.

Another factor that can cause a bear market in real estate is a decrease in demand for homes due to higher taxes or other factors such as low employment rates. It may lead to fewer buyers for properties, which can also contribute to lower prices for homes sold during this period.

Is Real Estate A Good Investment In A Bear Market?

Even though real estate is experiencing a bear market, it still produces profits. The crash of 2007 left many investors bitter. However, real estate has historically been a reliable investment class for investors who wish to spend their money wisely.

A report from economists indicates that the United States has been experiencing 20 bear markets since 1952. There was no doubt that the real estate industry suffered during the 2007-2009 bear market. However, 18 of the remaining 19 bear markets saw real estate values increase, and only one bear market saw real estate decrease by 0.4%.

In 10% of the bear markets we have faced in the past 70 years, real estate has proven to be a good investment, and the Case-Shiller Index shows real estate has returned an average of 4.6% annually.

How To Take Advantage Of A Bear Market?

When the market is going down, it's easy to feel like you should sit on your hands and wait for it to come back up. But there are some things you can do to take advantage of a bear market and get the most out of your real estate investments.

At the same time, there are some things you should do to prepare yourself for a bear market. Here are some tips on how you can take advantage of this downturn:

  • Take inventory of your properties and assess what it's worth today compared to when the market peaked. If it has increased significantly over time, you're in good shape. If not, it's time to reassess what needs to be done before the next bull run.

  • Ensure that all your cash flows are positive and stable before they drop off (especially if they are high). You don't want any surprises along the way during this downturn!

  • Be aware of where your expenses lie within your business plan to keep track of your cash flow through these tough times (if needed).

  • Make sure all your paperwork is up-to-date before any changes occur in the real estate market. Make sure to hire professionals when there's something you can't figure out.

Make sure you have at least two-thirds of your debt paid before the next downturn hits. Having that cushion in the bank will help you survive the next downturn and also help you avoid stretching yourself thin financially.

FAQ

In a Bear Market, Is It Worth Investing In Real Estate?

Real estate investing is a great investment regardless of whether there is a bear market. It depends on your financial goals and investment strategy. When you have the funds to add real estate to your portfolio and believe investing in real estate could help protect your portfolio, you should most definitely consider real estate investing during bear markets.

What Is the Difference Between a Bear Market and a Bull Market?

Unlike bull markets, which are driven by optimism, bear markets are driven by negativity. Bull markets tend to be fueled by economic strength, whereas bear markets tend to occur when there is a slowdown in economic activity and higher unemployment rates.  

Is It Possible To Profit From Real Estate In A Bear Market?

Bear markets aren't much different from other markets regarding real estate investments. When real estate investors choose the right holdings, a bear market can be successful. Real estate investment requires due diligence, as does any other investment class. You should conduct adequate research on any potential property regardless of market conditions. It is a good time to invest in real estate in a bear market, but you must follow some practical strategies to maximize your returns.

Final Thoughts:

There are several ways in which a bear market can affect real estate prices:

  • The demand for property may decrease as people become more cautious with their money. It could lead to a decrease in prices.

  • Borrowing money for a property purchase may increase as lenders become more risk-averse. It could also lead to a decrease in prices.

  • The construction of new properties may also be affected.

Don't panic. Take the time to ensure that your property is in good shape and that you are ready to take full advantage of the next real estate property.

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