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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

Affordability is a real challenge right now, and with the fact that FHA and VA loans require a lower down payment, and allow for the debt-to-income ratio to go higher than conventional, these types of loans are the bulk of what we are seeing in the market right now. Sean Zalmanoff, founder and chief loan officer at St.

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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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Refi activity surged in March, and non-agency loans are picking up steam

Housing Wire

Debt ratios improve : The average debt-to-income ratio declined from 37.3% in March, reflecting stronger income growth relative to household debt, a sign of improving borrower financial health. The rise suggests that higher-credit borrowers are leading the current refinance wave. in February to 36.7%

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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. The rate for FHA loans increased by 57 bps to 11.03%, and the rate for VA loans rose by 12 bps to 4.70%. They tend to be more vulnerable to economic stressors like job losses or inflation.

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Homebuyers are taking more risks in an obstacle-filled market

Housing Wire

We write so many mortgages at maximum debt-to-income ratios, then taxes and insurance go up, and people struggle to afford their home very quickly, said Matt Hefner, an LO with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. Meanwhile, climate-related risks are also impacting home values.

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The long anticipated transformation of the L.O.’s role is here

Housing Wire

The modern LO routinely analyzes debt-to-income ratios in the context of retirement savings goals. Their job is to provide comprehensive guidance on long-term financial planning, rather than simply matching borrowers to available products. And the best LOs genuinely welcome this.

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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. Rolling the fees into the mortgage” leaves the buyer with a higher interest rate.