Home affordability highest since 2016, says Black Knight

Home affordability highest since 2016, says Black Knight

Thanks to all-time low mortgage rates in July, the average-priced home is the most affordable it’s been since late 2016, according to Black Knight’s latest mortgage monitor report.

The record level of affordability comes despite home prices rising for 97 consecutive months, Black Knight reported. Buying power for home shoppers was up 10% year over year in July, with buyers able to afford almost $32,000 more home than they could with the same monthly payment during July of last year.

“As of mid-July, it required 19.8% of the median monthly income to make the mortgage payment on the average-priced home purchase, assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year mortgage,” explained Ben Graboske, Black Knight data and analytics president. “That was more than 5% below the average of 25% from 1995-2003.

“This means it currently requires a $1,071 monthly payment to purchase the average-priced home, which is down 6% from the same time last year, despite the average home increasing in value by more than $12,000 during that same time period.”

Articles in your inbox before your coffee is done.

Get Daily News

In fact, noted Graboske, buying power is now up 10% annually.

All of the 25 largest markets in the country saw their highest affordability levels in over two years, and in many places, affordability is the strongest it’s been in more than a decade. Baltimore, for example, saw housing at its most affordable since before the Great Recession during July, reported Black Knight.

Six states —Louisiana, Arkansas, Iowa, West Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland — posted their lowest payment-to-income ratios in more than 25 years.

“A main takeaway from this month’s report,” Graboske said, “is that while record levels of job losses are certainly still weighing on the housing market and broader economy, for those shopping for a home now, buying power has clearly trended up.”

Author

More Headlines

Top Dollar Volume

Top FHA Volume

Top HELOC Volume

Most Loans Closed

Top Mortgage Brokers

Top Non-QM Volume

Top Purchase Volume

Top Refinance Volume

Top USDA Volume

Top VA Volume

Top Veteran Originators

Top Jumbo Originators

For Top Originators rankings going back to 2010, see the April editions of the magazine in our digital magazine library

Top Women Originators

Top Overall

Top Wholesale

Top Retail

Top Non-QM

Top FHA

Top VA

Top Correspondent

Top Bank Statement

Top DSCR

For Top Mortgage Lenders rankings going back to 2010, see the June editions of the magazine in our digital magazine library

Sign in to Scotsman Guide PRO

error: Content is protected !!