First-Time Homebuyers Making a Comeback

After a long absence, first-time buyers are finally returning to the real estate market.

1 minute read

January 25, 2016, 1:00 PM PST

"First-time homebuyers are finally jumping into the U.S. property market," according to an article by Prashant Gopal and Heather Perlberg.

The evidence for the claim is provided by data showing a quickly growing amount of loans with low down payments insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

Originations of FHA-backed mortgages, used predominately by first-time buyers, were up 54 percent in September from a year earlier, according to the most recent data from CoreLogic Inc. By December, the FHA insured 22 percent of all loan originations, up from 17 percent a year earlier, according to data compiled by Ellie Mae Inc.

The growth in FHA-backed mortgages is credited to a federal policy enacted in January 2015 that reduced mortgage-insurance premiums for FHA loans. That change " lowered the cost of getting a home loan and brought in at least 75,000 new borrowers with credit scores of less than 680, according to Gopal and Perlberg.

FULL STORY: There's Some Hope for First-Time Home Buyers

Friday, January 22, 2016 in Bloomberg Business

Housing United States First-Time Homebuyers Real Estate Market Mortgages

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.