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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. Together, FHA and VA loans represented 34% of the market, up from less than 30% in 2022 and the highest share since late 2020.

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Homebuyers are taking more risks in an obstacle-filled market

Housing Wire

housing market remains challenging for prospective buyers as concerns over mortgage rates , home prices and affordability persist in 2025. Many first-time homebuyers are stretching their finances to the limit. I believe the concerns for the market at this point are dramatically related to geographics.

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

Housing Wire

By making an offer of compensation, sellers communicate to buyers, as a marketing tactic, that their transaction costs may be reduced. They will continue to charge the highest price the market will bear, and leave buyers with an added up-front cost. Lowering commissions will not cause sellers to reduce their prices.

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Buy now, pay later: How do mortgage pros deal with ‘phantom debt’?

Housing Wire

For his client, who had many BNPL loans on her bank statement, paying them off made a significant difference since her debt-to-income ratio was too high. This type of short-term financing became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic when people — mainly young and underserved consumers — were stuck at home and shopping online.

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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. mortgage market in 2023, up from 14.3% of the U.S. in 2022, according to HUD.

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Housing market hinges on mortgage rates and supply, not commission structures

Housing Wire

Although there is no doubt that business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement are going to impact how real estate industry professionals operate, economists aren’t too sure they’ll have much bearing on the housing market. “I