Preparing for millions of minority homebuyers The future is not guaranteed

Didier Malagies • July 12, 2021


Since day one of my mortgage career, my main role was to help Hispanic borrowers with responsible lending. For the past 21 years, I have been deeply entrenched in truly understanding the unique needs and cultural nuances of homebuyers with diverse backgrounds. Being an active originator helps me keep a pulse on the market and the current issues borrowers face every day on their journey to homeownership.


Minority mortgage-ready millennials


I interact daily with first-time buyers and buyers of diverse backgrounds and continue to help them achieve the dream of homeownership. In my role as national vice president of multicultural lending, I’m involved at a high level with the executive leadership team here at New American Funding, providing input regarding what is really going on at the “street-level” and being the liaison between our sales force and executive leadership.


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are now 60.6 million Hispanics in America. That is almost 19% of the entire US population. And according to Freddie Mac, in 2019, there were 8.3 million Hispanic mortgage-ready millennials, or as we like to call them at New American Funding, “Hispennials”. The Hispanic market presents a tremendous business opportunity now and for years to come if approached correctly. Despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Hispanic homeownership rate increased to 49% in 2020, compared to 47.5% in 2019, per the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ 2020 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report.


According to the Urban Institute, all future homeownership growth will come from non-White households, with Hispanics accounting for 70% of homeownership growth over the next 20 years. Per Freddie Mac, in the 31 largest MSAs, there are over 1.7 million Black millennials who would qualify for a mortgage. New York City, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Chicago each have more than 100,000 Black residents ready for homeownership.


And according to a November 2020 report released by the National Association of Realtors, 5% of homebuyers during the first three quarters of 2020 were Black, compared to 4% in 2019. Despite a 1% increase, U.S. Census data shows Black millennials raised the homeownership rate for African Americans more than 2% over the same time frame. The homeownership rate for Black Americans grew to 47% during the second quarter of 2020 compared to 44% during the first quarter.



Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

Wade Pfau: how market volatility could renew reverse mortgage discussion

By Didier Malagies • April 15, 2025
Wade Pfau, a leading voice in retirement income planning, has long advocated for the strategic use of reverse mortgages —and current market volatility could reignite interest in this often misunderstood tool. 🔁 Why Market Volatility Renews Reverse Mortgage Talks In times of market downturn, retirees face sequence of returns risk , meaning early losses can severely impact the longevity of their portfolio. Pfau suggests that reverse mortgages , particularly Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) , can act as a buffer asset to avoid selling investments at a loss. Here's how: During market dips , retirees can pull funds from a reverse mortgage line of credit instead of their investment accounts. This gives their portfolios time to recover before resuming withdrawals. Result : More sustainable income and potentially greater long-term financial security. 🧠 Shift in Strategy: Not Just a Last Resort Pfau argues that reverse mortgages should be considered early in retirement planning , not just as a last-ditch effort: Opening a HECM line of credit early can grow over time due to the compounding credit line. Provides flexibility and tax-efficient access to funds. Helps retirees coordinate income sources between portfolio withdrawals, Social Security, and home equity. 👓 Changing Advisor Perspectives Financial advisors—previously skeptical—are beginning to see reverse mortgages in a new light: Volatile markets have prompted a more open-minded view among planners. More are incorporating reverse mortgages into holistic retirement income strategies . Bottom line : Market volatility doesn’t just threaten retirement—it also opens the door to rethinking traditional strategies . As Pfau puts it, home equity is too significant a resource to overlook, and when used wisely, reverse mortgages can enhance retirement resilience

Questions frequently asked about on job history and funds to close when getting a mortgage

By Didier Malagies • April 14, 2025
Are you a salaried employee, hourly, self-employed, or a contractor? Do you receive bonuses, commissions, or overtime? How consistent is that income? Can you provide recent pay stubs, W-2s, or tax returns? Self-Employment (if applicable): How long have you been self-employed? Can you provide two years of business tax returns and profit/loss statements? 🔹 Funds to Close Questions Lenders want to confirm you have enough money to cover the down payment, closing costs, and reserves. Questions may include: Source of Funds: How much money do you have saved for the down payment and closing costs? Where are these funds coming from (savings, checking, retirement account, gift, etc.)? Are you receiving any gift funds? If so, from whom? Asset Documentation: Can you provide bank statements from the past 2–3 months? Are there any large or unusual deposits? Can you explain them? Reserves: Do you have additional savings left after closing (reserves)? Can you show evidence of other assets (stocks, bonds, retirement)? tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329

What are the benefits of having a Reverse Mortgage

By Didier Malagies • April 10, 2025
Yes, the reverse mortgage market is projected to experience growth in 2025. Analyses indicate that the market size will increase from $1.79 billion in 2024 to $1.92 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate ( A reverse mortgage can be a useful financial tool for certain homeowners, especially older adults looking to access home equity without selling their home. Here are the key benefits of a reverse mortgage: 🏡 1. Access to Home Equity Without Selling You can tap into your home's equity and receive funds as a lump sum , monthly payments , or a line of credit , without having to sell your home or move out. 👴 2. No Monthly Mortgage Payments Unlike a traditional mortgage, you don’t make monthly payments . Instead, the loan is repaid when you sell the home, move out permanently, or pass away. 💵 3. Flexible Payout Options You can choose how to receive the funds: Lump sum Monthly payments (tenure or term) Line of credit Or a combination This flexibility helps match your financial needs. ✅ 4. Stays in Your Name You retain ownership of your home, and as long as you meet the loan requirements (like maintaining the home and paying property taxes/insurance), you can continue to live there. 🛡️ 5. Non-Recourse Loan You (or your heirs) will never owe more than the home is worth . If the home’s value drops below the loan balance, the FHA insurance (if it's a HECM—Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) covers the difference. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 6. Heirs Have Options When you pass away, your heirs can: Repay the loan and keep the home Sell the home and keep any remaining equity Walk away if the loan balance exceeds the home’s value  💰 7. Supplement Retirement Income Reverse mortgages can provide a source of income during retirement, helping cover expenses, delay Social Security, or preserve investments. Would you like a quick rundown of the downsides too, just so you have the full picture?
Show More