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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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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

housing market remains challenging for prospective buyers as concerns over mortgage rates , home prices and affordability persist in 2025. I believe the concerns for the market at this point are dramatically related to geographics. Meanwhile, climate-related risks are also impacting home values.

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First-time homebuyers becoming first-time home sellers

Housing Wire

Many who bought during the pandemic are now rethinking their decisions, citing changing lifestyles, financial miscalculations, and shifting market conditions, according to new data from Opendoor. Whatever that looks like, they’re kind of maxing out with the debt-to-income ratio. They’re getting a loan.

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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. High housing prices are caused by a housing shortage.

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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. But these sources also told HousingWire that they don’t see an imminent “systemic risk” tied to BNPL debt. “I It’s a little like preventive medicine,” Racamato said.

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Ballard Spahr’s Andreano: CFPB is open to “other approaches” to QM

Housing Wire

Also, there is the criticism of the general QM that was put into the reg that had the strict 43% debt-to-income ratio benchmark. Now, the bureau did, in its proposal, ask for comments on whether it should specify a specific debt-to-income ratio or not. There are two proposals that came out in June.