Tag Archives: HOUSING

A new report shows that most millennials believe now is a good time to buy a home—and more than half of them are actually ready to take the plunge. About 51 percent of those surveyed said they are either extremely likely or very likely to buy within the next year. According to experts, impending mortgage rate hikes are likely causing the uptick in urgency. Still, roadblocks like scarce inventory and a lack of knowledge around the homebuying process could pose a problem for millennials.

According to a new study from the CFPB, consumers in lower-income parts of the country are more likely to establish credit history through negative means, like debt collection or public records. About 27 percent of low-income area consumers establish their history through what are called “non-loans,” while just 7.9 percent of consumers in high-income areas establish credit via non-loans. The study found that consumers in higher-income areas more commonly establish credit with a credit card or through co-borrowing.

According to a major industry organization, President Trump’s potential tax reform could make homeownership unaffordable for many Americans. The President’s plan would raise the threshold on the mortgage interest deduction, allowing only those with the heftiest home loans to take advantage of it. To date, the MI deduction has primarily benefited middle-class taxpayers. If reformed, it may cease to do that.

New data shows that mortgage originations are in freefall. While both purchase loan originations and refinances took a hit, refis saw the steepest drop, decreasing 34 percent over the first quarter of the year. Purchase originations dipped 21 percent over the same period. The average credit score of borrower is also on the decline, which could dampen the market if the trend keeps up.

New data shows rents are steadily increasing, and with increasingly tight housing inventory, those rents will likely get even higher as potential buyers are driven toward renting. Experts expect rents to increase 1.5 percent by the end of the summer. They’ve already grown more in five months of 2017 than all of 2016 combined.

Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is gearing up for a big June. On the heels of a recent proclamation from President Trump, declaring the month “National Homeownership Month,” Dr. Carson hosted an academic forum at his agency earlier today. He’s also preparing to go before Congress next week to discuss Trump’s recent 2018 budget blueprint, which proposes a $6.2 billion cut from HUD’s funding.

Reverse mortgages are one of the most-complained about financial products for older Americans, with a new CFPB report showing servicing issues, communication problems, and difficulty changing loan terms as a common concern for consumers 62 and older. This group also reports issues with financial scams, confusion around deferred-interest credit cards, and being charged for unauthorized add-on products and services. Aging Americans are at a higher risk for financial exploitation, according to CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

New data shows defects on loan applications are up across the country—both for the month and over the year. The culprit? Riskier lending practices on both purchase loans and refinances. North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont had the highest defect frequency at the state level, while McAllen, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, took the cake in terms of metro markets.

In a recent radio interview, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said that with “the right mindset,” many Americans using HUD’s low-income housing subsidies could overcome their struggles. Carson discussed topics of poverty, housing, and the government’s role in both, just days after President Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint was released. The plan cuts $6.2 billion from the HUD budget, ends the Community Development Block Grant program, and slashes funding for the department’s rental assistance program.

New data shows that Baby Boomers may be just as saddled with student loan debt as millennials—maybe even more. Between 2005 and 2015, people aged 60 or older saw their student debt increase eight times, while debt for those under 30 increased just twice. Many Boomers are taking out loans and refinancing their homes to either return to school or help their children and grandchildren with college tuition.