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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The company’s newest National Housing Market Outlook shows that buyers are gravitating toward government-backed loans in their search for affordability. 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.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

Specifically, conventional loans are performing much better than Federal Housing Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs loans. The seriously delinquent rate (loans that are at least 90 days overdue, plus those in foreclosure) for FHA loans is 4.12%, roughly three times higher than the 1.14% rate for conventional loans.

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Purchase mortgage applicants are seeing more reasons to smile

Housing Wire

According to data released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the median payment for purchase loan applicants declined by 0.8% This was also reflected in median payments for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which stood at $1,753 in September. from August to September. by the end of the year.”

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Mortgage demand drops 22% during holidays as rates move higher

Housing Wire

Applications for refinances drove the decrease in the overall index as they fell 36%, while applications for purchase loans were down 13%. Rate increases were seen across the board for nearly every loan type, according to the MBA. Rates for 30-year jumbo loans jumped 14 bps to 7.13%. Mortgage demand declined 21.9%

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Down payments are getting smaller as buyers scoop up FHA, VA loans

Housing Wire

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, another contributor to lower down payment amounts. Roughly one in seven (15.3%) mortgaged sales used an FHA loan in April 2025, up from 14.2% By metro area, FHA loans were most prevalent in Riverside, California , where 26.7% As of April 2025, the typical U.S.

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FHA borrowers would get mortgage insurance relief through proposed House bill

Housing Wire

and Pete Sessions (R-Texas) on Thursday, the bipartisan bill allows borrowers to stop paying mortgage insurance once their loan-to-value (LTV) ratio reaches 78%, rather than paying it for the life of the loan. This is comparable to existing policies in the market for conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

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Mortgage payments rise in January, squeezing affordability

Housing Wire

Higher payments across loan types Borrowers across different mortgage programs also saw their payments rise. FHA loan applicants faced a median monthly payment of $1,934, up from $1,866 in December. Conventional loan applicants saw their median payment increase to $2,225, up from $2,128. Nevada (254.3) Arizona (218.7)