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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.

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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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The impact of student loans on buying a home

Housing Wire

Nearly 1 in 5 millennials (19%) think their credit card debt will be a stumbling block when applying for a mortgage, while 1 in 7 (14%) think the same about their student loans. How student loans impact your ability to buy a home Adding a mortgage on top of monthly student loan payments can create a significant financial strain.

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Think these credit problems are stopping you from buying a house? Think again

Housing Wire

It influences what loans you’re eligible for, how much you can take out, and how much you’ll pay in interest over the life of your loan. Perfect credit would certainly make getting a loan easier (and cheaper), but it’s not a requirement by any means. Myth 2: You can’t buy a house if you have lots of student loan debt.

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Agents fight misconceptions to win deals for military veteran clients

Housing Wire

After completing countless Veterans Administration (VA) mortgage loan transactions over the years, Chris Pascoe, a Marine veteran turned RE/MAX agent, has developed something of a system. 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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