Denver Realtor

Every Home Deserves a KILTED Closing

  • Buy
    • Search for Homes
    • Mortgage Interest Rates and Mortgage Payment Calculator
    • Renting vs. Buying
    • Relocation
    • Rent-To-Own
    • My Listings
    • Resources for Buyers
  • Sell
    • Request Home Valuation
    • Resources for Sellers
    • Divorce and Selling Your House
  • Invest
  • Communities
    • Denver Neighborhoods
    • Search Denver Homes
    • Search Arvada Homes
    • Search Aurora Homes
    • Search Broomfield Homes
    • Search Centennial Homes
    • Search Englewood Homes
    • Search Greenwood Village Homes
    • Search Highlands Ranch Homes
    • Search Lakewood Homes
    • Search Littleton Homes
    • Search Lone Tree Homes
    • Search Parker Homes
    • Search Westminster Homes
    • Search Wheat Ridge Homes
    • Salida Real Estate
  • Blog
    • Buying a Home
    • Selling a Home
    • Real Estate Market
    • Denver Housing Market
    • Financing a Home
    • Real Estate Investing
    • Renting
    • Homeownership
  • About
    • Kilted Closings (photos)
    • Why Choose Scott
    • Client Testimonials/Reviews
    • eXp Realty Colorado
  • Contact
    • Join eXp Realty
You are here: Home / Real Estate / Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home

Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home

December 7, 2021

Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home

Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. That’s led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work.

However, not every purchaser has been able to fulfill their desire for a new home. Here are two obstacles some homebuyers are facing:

  • The ability to save for a down payment
  • The ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards

This past week, both of those challenges have been mitigated to some degree for many purchasers. The FHFA (which handles mortgages by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Federal Housing Administration) is raising its loan limit for prospective purchasers in 2022. The term used to describe the maximum loan amount they will entertain is the Conforming Loan Limit.

What Is the Difference Between a Conforming Loan and a Non-Conforming Loan?

Investopedia explains the difference in a recent post:

“Conforming loans are the only loans that meet the requirements to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Jumbo loans, which exceed the conforming limit, are the most common type of nonconforming loan.”

What Difference Does It Make to Me as a Home Buyer?

A Forbes article earlier this year explains the benefits of a conforming loan and why they exist:

“Since lenders can’t sell non-conforming loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to free up their cash, they’re a bit riskier for the lender. This is especially true for jumbo loans, which aren’t backed by any government guarantees. If you default on a jumbo loan, it’s a huge blow to the lender.

Thus, lenders generally charge higher interest rates to compensate, and they can have even more requirements. For example, lenders who give out jumbo loans often require that you make a down payment of at least 20% and show that you have at least six months’ worth of cash in reserve, if not more.”

What Happened Last Week?

The FHFA has significantly increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. Sandra L. Thompson, FHFA Acting Director, explains in the press release that:

“Compared to previous years, the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits represent a significant increase due to the historic house price appreciation over the last year. While 95 percent of U.S. countie​s will be subject to the new baseline limit of $647,200, approximately 100 counties will have conforming loan limits approaching $1 million.”

This means that more homes now qualify for a conforming loan with lower down payment requirements and easier lending standards – the two challenges holding many buyers back over the last year.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) also increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. That could also mean an easier path to homeownership for many prospective buyers. As the Forbes article explains:

“FHA loans can be very beneficial if you don’t have as much savings, or if your credit score could use some work.”

Bottom Line

Buying your first or your next home may have just gotten much easier (less stringent qualifying standards) and less expensive (possibly lower mortgage rate). Let’s connect to discuss how these changes may impact you.

Resources:
  1. To get more information on the new FHFA Conforming Loan Limits, click here.
  2. To get more information on the new FHA Conforming Loan Limits, click here.

Find Your Next Home

[showcaseidx shortcode encountered an error]

home buyers guide
FREE Buyers Guide
Please call/text/message/email me to share your thoughts about your next home and I’ll identify your most important next step.
If you’re reading this late at night and want to start now, first send me an email, then focus on these items of the home buying process: 1) Download my Home Buyers Guide to learn general information (if you’re into doing your own research). 2) Talk to a quality mortgage lender and get pre-approved for financing. 3) Search for homes currently on the market to get a feel for the types of homes, locations, and price points available. 4) Read my Denver real estate blog (updated daily!) to further educate yourself about the market and relevant topics for home buyers. And of course, when in doubt, just call me and I will help you with each step of your journey.

Create Your Free MLS Home Search Account »

When It Is Time To Sell Your Home

guide for home sellers
FREE Sellers Guide
Find out how much your home is worth and download my free guide for home sellers for helpful information. It is important to choose a REALTOR® who can develop an effective marketing strategy for your property, negotiate well on your behalf, and has the knowledge to provide an accurate market comparison so you can determine the right asking price. The market changes each week and your asking price is an important component of your selling strategy. I am here to listen and serve. I will share how your home stacks up against the competition, or how we can position your property to sell quickly and for a good price, or talk through any unique circumstances or goals. Contact me today to start a discussion…

Get A Quick Home Valuation »

My Denver real estate blog is updated daily with useful information for home buyers and sellers…
Real Estate Housing Market | Buying a Home | Selling a Home | Financing a Home | Renting | Homeownership | Investing

SHARE THIS:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Telegram
  • WhatsApp
  • Skype

Related

Topic: Real Estate

SUBSCRIBE: Receive a Weekly Digest of This Blog in Your Email Inbox

/ ( mm / dd )
(No SPAM. Just good content. Safe unsubscribe anytime.)

DENVER REAL ESTATE & HOUSING BLOG

scott rodgers realtor blogHi, I'm Scott Rodgers, a native of Denver and a professional Realtor serving the metro Denver metro area. In short, I help people buy and sell homes, and have built a bit of a reputation wearing a kilt to my clients' closings.

Follow this daily blog on the Denver housing market and real estate related topics for highly relevant information for home buyers and sellers.

And should you or someone you know be in the market to buy or sell a home, please reach out to me to discuss what you are looking to do. I adapt to all my clients' needs and strive to provide you with The Peak Results.

Find Your Next Home


Create Your Free Account
Get instant access to new inventory. Save searches and receive email alerts on new homes, price reductions, and status changes.
OR
Facebook
Google
Have an account?
Sign in

Nextdoor.com Favorite Agent Cory-Merrill Denver

FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL AGENT 2022 Scott Rodgers

Scott Rodgers 2021 Top Agent Award

Denver Real Estate Blog

  • Real Estate Consistently Voted Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC] July 1, 2022
  • If You’re Selling Your House This Summer, Hiring a Pro Is Critical June 30, 2022
  • Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs June 29, 2022
  • A Key Opportunity for Homebuyers June 28, 2022
  • Two Reasons Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t a Bubble June 27, 2022
  • Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC] June 24, 2022
  • Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation June 23, 2022
  • Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home Loan June 22, 2022
  • The Average Homeowner Gained $64K in Equity over the Past Year June 21, 2022
  • Why Achieving the Dream of Homeownership Can Be More Difficult for Some Americans June 20, 2022

Search Homes on Your Mobile

Visit www.ThePeak.com from your mobile phone and click the button below to search the MLS for homes with the best mobile user experience: fast, accurate, and easy to use.
Download App

Giving Back

Join my team on Kiva.org and help communities grow and prosper at the most foundational level: the individual, the family, the local business. It’s our way of spreading goodwill around the world. Participating is easy and involves small $25 loans.

  • Loans: 310+
  • Total Lent: $8,000+
  • Countries: 61

Scott Rodgers

Broker Associate, REALTOR®, MRP
The Peak Home Source
Buyer’s Agent for Bungalow
Lic. 100070676
303-242-8831 (m)

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
the peak home source with scott rodgers - denver

Why Choose Scott Rodgers as your Realtor »     Write a Review / Recommend Scott »

24,775
Search homes in Denver, Centennial, Littleton, Lakewood, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Aurora, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield.
Copyright© 2016–2022 · The Peak Home Source with Scott Rodgers · Denver Realtor · MLS · Buy · Sell · Denver Real Estate Blog · Privacy · ToS

Marketing efforts are not intended to solicit properties listed under written agreement with licensed real estate brokers.
Website content is for informational purposes only. For professional advice or service, engage a licensed real estate broker, loan originator, attorney, or CPA under written contract.
Part of the real estate listing content on this website comes from the IDX program of REcolorado.

Go to mobile version