Graph and download economic data for 30-Year Fixed Rate FHA Mortgage Index (OBMMIFHA30YF) from 2017-01-03 to 2025-07-14 about FHA, 30-year, fixed, mortgage, rate, indexes, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (MORTGAGE15US) from 1991-08-30 to 2025-07-10 about 15-year, fixed, mortgage, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Following the drastic increase directly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the delinquency rate started to gradually decline, falling below *** percent in the second quarter of 2023. In the second half of 2023, the delinquency rate picked up, but remained stable throughout 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, **** percent of mortgage loans were delinquent. That was significantly lower than the **** percent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 or the peak of *** percent during the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2010. What does the mortgage delinquency rate tell us? The mortgage delinquency rate is the share of the total number of mortgaged home loans in the U.S. where payment is overdue by 30 days or more. Many borrowers eventually manage to service their loan, though, as indicated by the markedly lower foreclosure rates. Total home mortgage debt in the U.S. stood at almost ** trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Not all mortgage loans are made equal ‘Subprime’ loans, being targeted at high-risk borrowers and generally coupled with higher interest rates to compensate for the risk. These loans have far higher delinquency rates than conventional loans. Defaulting on such loans was one of the triggers for the 2007-2010 financial crisis, with subprime delinquency rates reaching almost ** percent around this time. These higher delinquency rates translate into higher foreclosure rates, which peaked at just under ** percent of all subprime mortgages in 2011.

Graph and download economic data for 30-Year Fixed Rate Veterans Affairs Mortgage Index (OBMMIVA30YF) from 2017-01-03 to 2025-07-11 about veterans, 30-year, fixed, mortgage, rate, indexes, and USA.

The number of new homes sold increased in 2024, but remained below the levels observed during the 2020-2021 housing boom. Conventional loans are the most popular financing option, accounting for 513,000 of the 686,000 home purchases in 2024. Despite comprising a small share of sales, cash purchases have risen notably over the past five years. This can be explained by the dramatic increase in mortgage interest rates, which makes cash purchases more attractive for those who can afford them. Development of house prices The U.S. housing market is suffering a supply shortage, which has contributed to a substantial increase in house prices. Over the past five years, construction costs risen notably, pushing the price of newly built homes up. Meanwhile, income growth has failed to keep up, resulting in a worsening housing affordability. According to the house price to income index, home prices outgrew income by nearly 32 percent between 2015 and 2024. Is the U.S. housing stock growing? There were approximately 187 million housing units in the U.S. in 2024, indicating an increase of one percent over the previous year. Apart from new-single family housing, the number of newly built multifamily units has also risen notably. Multifamily allows construction in denser urban areas with overheated housing markets, earning it increasing popularity among investors.

The foreclosure rate in the United States has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, reaching its peak in 2010 at **** percent following the financial crisis. Since then, the rate has steadily declined, with a notable drop to **** percent in 2021 due to government interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the rate stood slightly higher at **** percent but remained well below historical averages, indicating a relatively stable housing market. Impact of economic conditions on foreclosures The foreclosure rate is closely tied to broader economic trends and housing market conditions. During the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the share of non-performing mortgage loans climbed significantly, with loans 90 to 180 days past due reaching *** percent. Since then, the share of seriously delinquent loans has dropped notably, demonstrating a substantial improvement in mortgage performance. Among other things, the improved mortgage performance has to do with changes in the mortgage approval process. Homebuyers are subject to much stricter lending standards, such as higher credit score requirements. These changes ensure that borrowers can meet their payment obligations and are at a lower risk of defaulting and losing their home. Challenges for potential homebuyers Despite the low foreclosure rates, potential homebuyers face significant challenges in the current market. Homebuyer sentiment worsened substantially in 2021 and remained low across all age groups through 2024, with the 45 to 64 age group expressing the most negative outlook. Factors contributing to this sentiment include high housing costs and various financial obligations. For instance, in 2023, ** percent of non-homeowners reported that student loan expenses hindered their ability to save for a down payment.