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Rent or buy in 2024? Experts say a slight drop in rent is coming

Rent or buy in 2024? Experts say a slight drop in rent is coming
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Some good news to hear at the start of the year: rental prices are expected to drop slightly in 2024.

According to Realtor.com only a .2 percent drop is expected this year, but renting is considered a more budget-friendly option in most markets than buying right now.

The drop comes from a surge in multi-family rental options and an uptick of rental vacancy to 6.6 percent, meaning there is more supply than demand.

This is a relief after the double-digit rent growth that was seen from 2021 to 2022.

Right now, Realtor.com said the median rent in Nashville is $2,400 a month.

Meanwhile, home prices and mortgage rates are expected to drop, but so will inventory.

"People who are on the fence and trying to decide between renting and buying, we expect to see more multifamily units get through the construction process and finish and hit the market in 2024. So that's going to keep rents a little bit lower than we might otherwise expect," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com.

Down payments for a new home reached a record high median of $30,000 summer of 2023. However, as home prices drop this year, down payments are expected to drop as well.

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20-year-old seriously injured after stopping to help driver on I-24

Our viewers are the best! When Hannah McDonald highlighted the plight of Serenity Sumler, so many of you immediately stepped up. Serenity stopped to help a driver after spotting a wreck and was hit by another car, resulting in terrible injuries. Without the funds to pay for physical therapy, she was at a loss. Because of the kindness of others - she now can rehab and get back to school. Best of luck to her as she trains to become a chef!

- Carrie Sharp