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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The company’s newest National Housing Market Outlook shows that buyers are gravitating toward government-backed loans in their search for affordability. 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%.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

Specifically, conventional loans are performing much better than Federal Housing Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs loans. The seriously delinquent rate (loans that are at least 90 days overdue, plus those in foreclosure) for FHA loans is 4.12%, roughly three times higher than the 1.14% rate for conventional loans.

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Mortgage quality control report reveals sharp rise in insurance defects

Housing Wire

Critical defects were found on 1.51% of all loans in the third quarter, a 17% decline from the defect rate of 1.81% in the second quarter. Income and employment was still the leading category for defects at 25%. . Conventional loans had the highest defect percentage in Q3 2024, accounting for 51.61% of critical defects.

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Consumer advocate says policy changes are needed to help FHA buyers compete

Housing Wire

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is calling for policy changes that would help alleviate the difficulties for homebuyers using Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans when competing in tight markets. of the U.S. mortgage market in 2023, up from 14.3% in 2022, according to HUD.

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Should I pay off student loans before buying my first home?

Housing Wire

Do I need to pay off my student loans before buying my first home? What it really comes down to is whether or not you feel comfortable paying a mortgage (and all the other fun expenses that come with having a home), while also paying off student loans. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down.

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Think these credit problems are stopping you from buying a house? Think again

Housing Wire

Perfect credit would certainly make getting a loan easier (and cheaper), but it’s not a requirement by any means. FHA loans require just a 500 credit score, as long as you can make a 10% down payment, while VA loans have no credit score requirement whatsoever. Myth 3: You don’t have credit at all.

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The impact of student loans on buying a home

Housing Wire

Most Americans still view homeownership as a key to building wealth, but for many, that piece of the American dream is on hold or out of reach thanks to the heavy burden of student debt. In fact, according to a recent study, millennials currently struggle with so much debt that 25% worry they won’t qualify for a mortgage.