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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The Burns Affordability Index, which measures the ratio of housing costs to income, is now at 42.4%, a figure that’s well above the historic norm of 32.8%. Louis -based Better Rate Mortgage , noted that in his local area, FHA loans are more common for those with higher debt-to-income ratios.

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Southern states had the highest mortgage denial rates in 2023: NAR

Housing Wire

These include insufficient credit or income, changes in credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios. “A loan-to-value ratio that is too high, either because of a limited down payment or an appraisal of the home that resets the value used to calculate this ratio, can also be a factor,” she said.

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Homebuyers are taking more risks in an obstacle-filled market

Housing Wire

A NerdWallet report with second-quarter 2024 data found that the average monthly housing payment was $3,500 or 49% of the median income for those in the typical first-time homebuyer age group. ADUs are also gaining popularity as homeowners seek rental income to offset mortgage expenses. ADU is a big requirement now.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

The higher delinquency rates for FHA and VA loans are attributed to borrowers with lower credit scores and higher debt-to-income ratios. Specifically, conventional loans are performing much better than Federal Housing Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs loans. And likewise, it’s gone up for VA.

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First-time homebuyers becoming first-time home sellers

Housing Wire

Whatever that looks like, they’re kind of maxing out with the debt-to-income ratio. Because of inflation and the cost of everything going up, some of these repairs can be thousands and thousands of dollars more than they used to be, and people are not prepared for them,” Chavarria said. They’re getting a loan.

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Mortgage quality control report reveals sharp rise in insurance defects

Housing Wire

Income and employment was still the leading category for defects at 25%. . Loan applicants also struggled as rising premiums made it difficult for them to qualify for mortgages due to higher debt-to-income ratios. In Q3 2024, however, weather-related natural disasters caused providers to raise insurance premiums.

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How will first-time buyers fare if sellers can’t offer buyer agent compensation?

Housing Wire

If the home does not appraise, the financing would be a separate personal loan, raising the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio, potentially disqualifying them from the mortgage or making the cost to borrow go up. The arrangement known as cooperative compensation allows sellers to choose to offset the cost of buyers’ agents.