The year has been a promising on for would-be home buyers as home prices started to level off and mortgage rates dipped to unexpected lows. While first time buyers can expect less competition than last year, it’s still very much a seller’s market in most places. But overall, it’s a good time to move forward with a home purchase. Here’s 6 market predictions of what industry experts predict for the remainder of 2019:

Millennials will drive the market.

Consider it the year of first-time home buyer. More than half of all mortgages originated by Fannie and Freddie went to first time buyers last year, with Millennials hitting their prime home buying years, those numbers are only going to grow.

Inventory will improve, but not by much.

Total housing stock is well below the nation’s pre-recession volumes. Although recent data shows that inventory is rising for starter homes and trade-up properties, its likely not enough to satisfy demand. Housing supply has increased compared to last year, but overall inventory levels are still quite low, especially in the lower price ranges.

Home prices are headed up.

Prices have been on the rise since 2012, outstripping their pre-recession peaks early last year. The slowdown in price appreciation and the escalation of wage growth is helping to improve affordability for many would-be buyers. Still, experts warn that home prices aren’t done rising yet. Increasing demand and the limited inventory of homes for sale suggests continued price appreciation.

Mortgage rates will stay low.

Mortgage rates recently hit their lowest point in three years, averaging 3.8%, according to Freddie Mac, causing a surge of refinancing. Experts expect that rates could go even lower. Experts predict that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate will finish out the year between 3.9% and 4.1% – lower than 2018’s full year average of 4.54%.

Buyers can take their time.

Despite an influx of younger buyers, competition isn’t going to be as stiff as in years past. National data shows that just 15% of offers in April sparked a bidding war – down drastically from 60% in April 2018. Nationally, the overall inventory of available homes is expected to remain stable this year, so buyers shouldn’t feel as pressured to move quickly.

Some markets are better than others.

Overall, the signs aren’t overwhelmingly pro-buyer or pro-seller. Industry experts don’t foresee an extreme dip or a major spike in prices or rates. And at the end of the day, housing conditions vary by market.

Fort Collins made the top 10 list to outperform the country in the following years!

Market Predictions Source: Aly J Hale, contributing writer for Forbes via RE/MAX Advanced Notice