Trump’s housing market plan contains a fatal flaw and multiple obstacles, Morgan Stanley says

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley strategists believe that recent aggressive policy measures from the White House will not significantly change the housing market landscape for prospective homebuyers by 2026 [1][2] Policy Measures - The administration's strategy includes a directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, which initially tightened mortgage spreads by 15 basis points, lowering the 30-year mortgage rate below 6% for the first time since 2022 [3][4] Market Reaction - Despite the positive market reaction, Morgan Stanley argues that the market has already priced in the effects of Trump's intervention, and the existing low-rate mortgages limit the effectiveness of the new policy [4][15] Lock-in Effect - The "lock-in" effect is a significant barrier to housing market recovery, with approximately two-thirds of outstanding mortgages having interest rates below 5%. Additionally, 40% of U.S. homes are mortgage-free, exacerbating the lock-in situation [5][8] Demographic Trends - The aging population and lower birth rates are contributing to a slowdown in overall population growth, with the number of families with children under 18 declining from around 37 million in 2007 to approximately 33 million in 2024 [12] Housing Supply and Demand - Current home buying conditions are unfavorable due to high home prices, high mortgage rates, and declining immigration. The lock-in effect is causing existing homeowners to hesitate in selling, while new housing supply is rising, leading to downward pressure on home prices [17] Institutional Investors - Morgan Stanley dismisses the potential impact of a ban on large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes, stating that these investors do not own enough homes to significantly influence the market [17][18] Affordability Challenges - The affordability crisis is attributed to years of policy failures rather than institutional ownership. Solutions to improve affordability would require significant changes in home prices, interest rates, or buyer incomes [18] Future Outlook - Morgan Stanley suggests that further government actions could lower mortgage rates by an additional 50 basis points, but returning to the 4% range would require broader changes beyond GSE actions [20] Inventory Dynamics - New housing inventory is at its highest level since 2007, leading to lower prices for new homes compared to existing ones. Policymakers face challenges in balancing affordability with the exposure of 65% of U.S. households to housing prices as an asset [21]