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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

As a result, more buyers are turning to products like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which accounted for 24% of primary home purchases in 2024, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, which made up 10%, according to purchase loan lock data from Optimal Blue.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

By loan type, the past-due rate for conventional loans decreased between the third and fourth quarters by 1 bps to 2.62%. 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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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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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.

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The impact of student loans on buying a home

Housing Wire

Student loan debt may affect your home-buying goals in a few key ways. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) Lenders calculate your DTI ratio by dividing your total monthly debt payments (including student loans) by your gross monthly income to assess your ability to handle additional debt, like a mortgage.

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Agents fight misconceptions to win deals for military veteran clients

Housing Wire

This is an absolute must, especially in the market right now as it gives the lender an opportunity to fill the listing agent in on the buyer’s background and how the VA loan process works,” Pascoe explained. There remains a belief among listing agents and their clients that the VA appraisal and closing process will be a hassle.

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A look at the mortgage hot topics for 2024

Housing Wire

This implies easing inflation next year, and mortgage rates near 6% would help affordability issues caused by two things: The inflation fight has fueled the mortgage rate spike Low inventory and a steady job market have put a floor on home prices The good news is that GSEs remain committed to loan approval guidelines that help in these tough cycles.