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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. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, which made up 10%, according to purchase loan lock data from Optimal Blue.

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

Housing Wire

Refinances made up a quarter of all lock activity for the first time in six months, and we saw a clear rise in non-conforming loan share as buyers looked for more flexible options and higher loan amounts. The pull-through rate for refinance loans rose to 63.3%, indicating stronger borrower commitment compared to earlier months.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

New data released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) revealed that the delinquency rate for mortgages on one- to four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.98% of all loans outstanding at the end of 2024. Department of Veterans Affairs loans. And likewise, it’s gone up for VA.

VA loan 360
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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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Will the 2025 housing market crash like 2008?

Housing Wire

Yet, the growing share of income devoted to debt payments signals a need for heightened oversight and proactive measures to prevent financial strain from destabilizing the housing market. Debt-to-income ratios (DTIs) are a primary concern. Consumer debt stress is fueling additional risks in the 2025 housing market.

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Should I pay off student loans before buying my first home?

Housing Wire

Do I need to pay off my student loans before buying my first home? What it really comes down to is whether or not you feel comfortable paying a mortgage (and all the other fun expenses that come with having a home), while also paying off student loans. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down.

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Mortgage quality control report reveals sharp rise in insurance defects

Housing Wire

The overall defect rate for mortgages declined across all loan types between the second and third quarters of 2024. Critical defects were found on 1.51% of all loans in the third quarter, a 17% decline from the defect rate of 1.81% in the second quarter. Income and employment was still the leading category for defects at 25%.