Country Home Trends for 2022: Anything You Need to Know

Learn this year’s trends for country home properties with this guide from United Country Real Estate. 

Although the pandemic significantly affected the real estate market, it created one of the most competitive housing markets in the history of America.  

What will buying a country home be like in 2022?  The ‘race for space’ in many urban real estate properties has made many individuals consider purchasing country homes in rural areas instead.

But,  knowing that home prices catapulted to an all-time high in 2021, is the real estate market for country homes hopeful in 2022? Many have chosen to relocate from big cities to the suburbs by purchasing country homes or farmhouse style houses .  Will this fact keep our hopes up?

We will discover the trends in country home properties in 2022 that will help determine whether it is wise to purchase a country home this year.

1. Mortgage Rates

In 2021, the average mortgage rate is predicted to be between 3.1%-3.3%.  FreddieMac reported that the rate may go up to 3.5% by the end of 2022 while the National Association of Realtors predicted it to be at 2.7%.

Moreover, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates a few times this year.  This might make people buy country homes just to live in them, which the real estate market will benefit from.

2. Prices of Homes

It is predicted that home sales will have higher prices in 2022 because of the low supply and people working remotely.  The price of homes, according to Realtor.com, is predicted to rise 2.9%.

This predicted increase in prices is caused by an affected supply chain and a shortage in labor because of the effects of the pandemic on the global economy.  

Another reason for the increase is more people who can work remotely look for properties in the rural areas or prefer to purchase a country home.

Since the pandemic, people have learned to appreciate the comfort that comes from living in the countryside where the air is cleaner and the atmosphere is less stressful. 

 There is no need to be situated near the city center anymore because they can work in the comforts of their own home.

People also prefer a living space that caters to their mental health, seeing this has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than that, traditional homes still trump the trend for 2022.

3. Home Values

There is a difference between the price of a home and the value of a home.  The value of a home refers to how much a buyer is willing to pay when purchasing a home.  It is also called the  “current market value.”

Surprisingly, home values are expected to rise because buyers are so willing to purchase a home for a cost more than the asking price of a homeowner.

And in order to increase the value of a home, owners need to revamp the home design; whether on the interior or exterior features of the house. Nostalgic elements and vibrant living spaces can revamp any home.

Breathe new life into a house to increase value with these tips:

• Go with furniture that can function as storage; this is great if you have a small living room with lots of stuff lying around and need to save space.
• Go modern, but not too modern: Unless your buyer has a very specific idea on what they want in a house, go for natural materials such as wood on decorations to give that sense of rustic charm. Throw in modern elements such as green marble walls or statement pieces such as sculpture or paintings.
• Start with something practical, such as a light or a sofa. No one really wants to live in a house that reminds them of the Dark Ages, so make sure that electricity and plumbing are installed properly.
  

4. Interested Millennials

Another predictable trend in country home real estate is that millennials are planning to buy their first property in 2022.  These are individuals belonging to the 26-35 age group.  Because of this prediction, it is expected that the prices of country homes will continue to increase this year.

They make up the fastest-growing segment of buyers today, according to a recent National Association of Realtors report.

The movement in the market by millennials is likely due to their career growth, higher income and paying off student loans and other personal debts.

The modern home buyers might wait a couple of years to buy their dream home, but millennials are already putting up a list of their dream home–from a modern farmhouse to a techno-style loft outside the city.

What’s more, due to technology there’s more access to information about buying houses on the internet which gives tech-savvy millennials more options.

5. Digital Perspective

Many businesses are leveraging their digital marketing strategies to get to their customers and to improve their brand identity online.  Real estate is in the competition as well.

The pandemic accelerated this move across all business industries, including real estate. 

You can literally view a home property that you are considering buying through an online tour of the property.  Real estate owners have provided this service to their customers by using technology such as:

• 3D tours
• Drone videos
• Virtual staging
• Virtual consultations by agents and realtors
• Online auctions

In addition, you can also purchase a house or close a deal online without ever having to step foot inside the home first. 

Real estate companies also provide virtual browsing through their listings, researching mortgage options and getting a mortgage, and talking with real estate agents virtually.

6. Increased Interest in Moving From the City to the Country

The trend in moving from the city into the suburbs is predicted to last for the next 3-5 years, according to the Urban Land Institute.  The main reasons for this trend in purchasing a country home in 2022 include 

• Necessity for those who cannot afford to live in the urban areas because of the higher cost of living.  Many who have lost their jobs during the pandemic are searching for more affordable housing options, lower taxes, and cheaper rent prices.

• By choice for the wealthy who prefer to shift from a busy community to a more peaceful environment.  Some families have also chosen the “middle neighborhoods” which can have a country home near the convenience of the big city services, like good public transportation, shopping malls, and restaurants.

Looking at numbers, suburban home listings viewers have increased to 42.1 since the onset of the pandemic.  It will continue to be a trend in the next few years.

7. Compromises

More home buyers are making compromises because of the competitive pandemic housing market.  Having a “dream home” is no longer a need, becoming elusive.  The style and architecture of country homes seem to be more affordable compared to urban-designed homes.

This makes homeowners consider their budget so that they can get more by investing with less.  A country home can help achieve this goal.

8. More Space

People are getting the notion that having more space in a home or a property is more appealing.  A country home tends to provide a different configuration of space because country home living tends to lean on simplicity and minimalism.

Furthermore, country home features like open-plan layouts, outdoor kitchens, and garden home offices have increased in popularity.

Considering these country home property trends 2022, you can start searching for the country home you have always dreamed of. 

With so much happening in the country and an inevitable increase in the costs and prices of real estate properties, talk to a real estate expert to know how you can get the best deal in purchasing a country home this year.