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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The combined cost of mortgages, taxes and insurance now takes up a larger share of household income than it has since the early 1980s, according to an affordability index from John Burns Research & Consulting. It also ties into architects and builders creating smaller, denser homes to help close the affordable housing supply gap.

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Mortgage quality control report reveals sharp rise in insurance defects

Housing Wire

The overall defect rate for mortgages declined across all loan types between the second and third quarters of 2024. ACES releases a quarterly report that uses post-closing quality control data that’s derived from the company’s benchmarking system. Income and employment was still the leading category for defects at 25%.

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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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The impact of student loans on buying a home

Housing Wire

Nearly 1 in 5 millennials (19%) think their credit card debt will be a stumbling block when applying for a mortgage, while 1 in 7 (14%) think the same about their student loans. How student loans impact your ability to buy a home Adding a mortgage on top of monthly student loan payments can create a significant financial strain.

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Lenders: Looking to simplify closings? Work with an insurance agency

Housing Wire

HousingWire recently spoke to Tom Kriby, vice president of client development and partnerships at Westwood Insurance Agency, about how working with an insurance agency can simplify the closing process for their customers, even in times of interest rate uncertainty. HW: How does working with an insurance agency simplify the closing process?

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

Housing Wire

But for first-time and other cash-strapped buyers—those who are not relying on the proceeds of a home sale, who may be using a 100% financed VA loan, whose agents may be layering forms of assistance to put together enough cash for closing—knowing in advance about the seller’s contribution to their agent costs may be essential.

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Unison unveils ‘hybrid’ home equity sharing loan

Housing Wire

The San Francisco -based Unison calls its new offering the Equity Sharing Home Loan. The company explained that the product operates as a ”hybrid between debt and equity.” But it also differs from a typical HEI by including qualification and repayment terms that are similar to a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC).

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