Mortgage lenders loosened credit standards in May

Numbers are consistent with an uptick in mortgage rates and a downturn in applications

Mortgage credit availability increased by 1.4% in May – a sign that volume-hungry lenders continued to loosen credit standards in a highly competitive market, according to Thursday data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

MBA’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) which uses 100 as a benchmark — increased to 129.9 in May. A decline in the MCAI suggests that lending standards are tightening while a higher number suggests loosening credit standards.

Lenders concerned over borrowers’ ability to pay their bills at the beginning of the economic shutdown resulted in an exponential tightening of credit. However, May’s credit availability inched to its highest level since the early days of the pandemic, but remained at 2014 levels.

The MCAI on conventional loans increased 3.5%, while MCAI on government loans increased by 0.3%. Of the two component indices of the conventional MCAI, the jumbo MCAI increased by 5.1%, and the conforming MCAI rose by 1.6%, the MBA said.

“The overall increases were driven by a 3% gain in the conventional segment of the market, with a rise in the supply of ARMs and cash-out refinances,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting.

Why millions of prospective borrowers are stuck in ‘no man’s land’

Borrowers are “stuck in the middle” between the agencies’ minimum FICO requirements and the “FICO gates” imposed by lenders’ credit overlays. We have the tools to help them, we just need to use them.

According to Kan, this is consistent with the uptick in mortgage rates and a slowing refinance market, as well as MBA’s Weekly Applications Survey data showing increased interest in ARMs. Monday data from the MBA revealed mortgage applications dropped for the third consecutive week

Compared to last year, fewer people are applying for purchase mortgages – a likely result of home prices continuing to rise and prospective buyers avoiding astronomical bidding wars.

However, housing demand is still far outpacing supply, Kan said. The average loan size on a purchase application edged down to $407,000, below the record $418,000 set in February — but still far above 2020’s average of $353,900, the MBA reported.

“The jumbo index also jumped 5% last month, but even with increases over the past two months, the index is still around half of where it was in February 2020,” Kan said. “A rapidly improving economy and job market has freed up jumbo credit, as banks have deposits to utilize. However, there is still plenty of restraint, as many sectors have not fully returned to pre-pandemic capacity, and there are around 2 million borrowers still in forbearance.”

At this time last year, the Jumbo loan index was 54% lower than it had been in February 2020. Securing a jumbo loan was the most difficult it had been in four years, according to MBA data. But a flourishing housing market gave way to jumbos from a host of lenders, including Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage.

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Habitat for Humanity sees success with aging in place program

By Didier Malagies • January 22, 2025

A dedicated aging in place (AIP) program offered by the Oswego County Habitat for Humanity (OCHFH) in New York says it is seeing success by incorporating family, community and local resources to ensure older homeowners can remain where they prefer. “It’s been projected that, over the next 20 years, households led by individuals in their 80s will become the fastest growing age group , which provides stability within their communities,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. Through the organization’s AIP program, Habitat collaborates with families, local organizations and other community members in an effort to provide homes that prioritize living for older adults, he said. “This ultimately enhances their quality of life. We employ two different assessments in each case to ensure that the homeowners’ needs are clearly understood,” he added. An initial assessment of the client’s living situation aims to assess each person’s daily living activities, which are scrutinized by a “health or human services professional,” the organization said. This includes how they manage regular tasks like cleaning, shopping, paying bills or interacting with their community. A second evaluation specifically assesses home repair needs, and how to make a dwelling more livable for the needs of an older person. “These assessments enable OCHFH to provide modifications to their homes tailored to each homeowner’s specific lifestyle,” Raponi added. “Among the kinds of modifications we make are installing lever door handles, ramps, railings, grab bars, walk-in showers with a low threshold, and raised toilets to make homes more accessible for older adults.” Other resources, including Meals on Wheels , may be seen as necessary to deploy depending on a person’s circumstances, and all combine into a living situation that is aimed at being more generally beneficial for someone seeking to age in their own home. AIP is actively seeking more collaborative partners in the health care sector, owing to unique challenges visited upon older people who may not be able to adequately address their health needs. “Low-income older adults face a higher risk of chronic diseases and disabilities due to limited access to primary care and a greater likelihood of living in substandard, deteriorating housing,” Raponi added. A recent study from Carewell suggested that many older adults see aging in place as a financial necessity considering the costs of other kinds of living arrangements older people may choose. Nearly half of respondents (47%) characterized aging in place as both a preference and a financial necessity in tandem.

Is it time to prequalify for a mortgage now

By Didier Malagies • January 20, 2025

1. Assess Your Financial Health Credit Score: Check your credit score (usually 620 or higher is required, though higher scores get better rates). Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Calculate your monthly debt payments compared to your gross monthly income (lenders typically prefer a DTI below 43%). Savings: Ensure you have enough for a down payment (typically 3-20%) and closing costs. 2. Gather Financial Information Lenders will need the following: Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s/1099s). List of assets (savings, investments, retirement accounts). Details of current debts (credit card balances, student loans, etc.). 3. Choose a Lender Research different lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Compare prequalification options (many allow online applications). 4. Complete the Prequalification Process Fill out the lender’s prequalification form (online, over the phone, or in person). Provide basic details about your income, debts, and assets. 5. Review Prequalification Results The lender will give you an estimate of the loan amount and potential interest rate. Remember, prequalification is not a guarantee of approval and doesn’t involve a hard credit inquiry. 6. Follow Up with Preapproval If you’re serious about buying, consider getting preapproved, which involves a more in-depth review and is stronger than prequalification. Tips: Use online calculators to estimate affordability before reaching out to lenders. Avoid large purchases or opening new lines of credit during the prequalification and preapproval process. Would you like details on specific lenders or tools to compare mortgage options? tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329

USA Today: If Social Security falters, reverse mortgages could be worth a look

By Didier Malagies • January 13, 2025

Many retirees have said they rely largely — and sometimes entirely — on Social Security benefits as their primary income stream in retirement . But in instances where these payments may not be enough to make ends meet, other options should be considered — and in the right situation, a reverse mortgage could be one such option. That’s according to a column published this week by USA Today , which assessed reverse mortgages in tandem with options such as personal savings, a part-time job and other benefits programs. “A reverse mortgage is a possibility for seniors with substantial equity in their homes,” the column stated. “It essentially enables you to borrow against your equity, and you aren’t required to make any payments while you’re still alive as long as you live in the house.” The column is likely referencing the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ( HECM ) program insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Loan proceeds are dependent on the amount of equity in the home and current interest rates, the column noted, and there are multiple disbursement options available, the column noted. The minimum age requirement of 62, a core tenet of the HECM program, was also mentioned. “There are closing costs and other fees, and you’ll still be responsible for maintaining the property and paying the property taxes and homeowners insurance,” the column noted. It characterized the loan as a “solid option” for those who have few other assets beyond their homes, adding that “it might not be the right move if you intend to pass the property on to your heirs someday. After you pass away or move out of the home, you or your estate will have to repay the loan. This will reduce how much your heirs receive.” Recent survey data from Clever Real Estate highlighted some realities of relying on Social Security benefits in retirement. Roughly one in five respondents in the 1,000-person survey said they rely exclusively on Social Security benefits as their sole income stream in retirement, with nearly 30% saying they believed they would be able to rely on them. Last year, data from Nationwide suggested that an increasing number of older investors believe that retiring at the age of 65 is no longer a realistic option . This is largely tied to higher levels of stress they’re feeling about the economy and the cost of living.