Between rising mortgage rates and an overheated real estate market, aspiring homeowners may feel priced out.
Across the United States, the supply of listed and available homes for sale is not sufficient for meeting the record-high demand of aspiring homebuyers.
What’s more, volatile prices for lumber and other building materials, delivery delays, and shortages of skilled labor in the construction industry have impacted homebuilders. These global supply chain issues amid the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to the low inventory of housing.
With fewer new homes being built, it’s more competitive to buy a home. First-time homebuyers have to compete with all homebuyers, including investment companies that can make all-cash, no-contingency offers. These firms are buying single-family homes at scale and turning them into rental properties. These factors may fuel real estate bidding wars among homebuyers.
Housing affordability is also impacted by rising interest rates as the Federal Reserve tries to vanquish the highest inflation in 40 years.
Related: Reverse mortgages: Pros and cons
Will I Ever Be Able to Afford a House?
If you think you can’t afford a house in today’s market, all hope may not be lost. How can anyone afford a house under these conditions? Here are some options you may consider in your quest for homeownership:
1. Consider Shorter Mortgage Terms
You can look into a shorter-than-30-year home loan when choosing mortgage terms, which can mean a lower interest rate. For example, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 5.27% in the first week of May 2022 compared with 4.52% for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, according to Freddie Mac data.
2. Downsize the Dream Home
If your dream home seems out of reach, you can explore more affordable neighborhoods or look for smaller homes on the market. By downsizing your home ambitions, the smaller amount you need to borrow may mean monthly mortgage payments that are more in line with your budget.
3. Write an Offer Letter
If you’re ready to make a bid for a home, consider writing a real estate offer letter with a personal touch. The letter could explain who you are and highlight why you love the property and neighborhood. Some sellers may prefer the highest bidder, but other sellers may prefer the bidder they think will most contribute to the community or take good care of their garden.
4. Consider a Larger Down Payment
Making a traditional 20% down payment on a house or larger might be an option for some entry-level homebuyers. Bigger down payments can translate to lower monthly payments on a mortgage.
This online mortgage calculator shows how home loan seekers can lower their monthly mortgage payments and total interest charges by making a larger down payment on a home.
5. Consider the Minimal Down Payment
If you don’t have the down payment because prices are being bid up, look for lenders who accept less than 20% down.
6. Improve Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Your debt-to-income ratio or DTI measures your ability to afford new debt without defaulting on your existing obligations. Most lenders like to see a DTI below 36%, and refinancing your existing debts can help improve your DTI in some cases.
For example, refinancing an auto loan for a lower monthly payment would improve your DTI if your gross monthly income remains equal. Lowering your DTI may help you qualify for a bigger mortgage. This is one of the reasons why your debt to income ratio matters.
7. Explore Financial Assistance Programs
Government and nonprofit programs may offer down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers. If you’re looking to buy a house for the first time, you may explore financial assistance programs that may help you afford a larger down payment.
8. Be Prepared for Counter Offers
If you’re ready to bid on a home, understand that sellers may push back with a real estate counter offer. Sellers may present counter offers if they’re dissatisfied with a buyer’s initial bid. The homebuying process can have many twists and turns, so you may want to be ready and prepared for possible counter offers.
The Takeaway
An overheated housing market does not necessarily mean game over for entry-level homebuyers. Anyone with homeownership ambitions may have more pathways for success than they realize. For example, writing an offer letter and navigating your down payment options can help you compete even in a seller’s market.
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This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Here’s where US foreclosure rates are soaring
Editor’s Note: Updated for May 2022
The number of U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in April was 30,674, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. This is up close to 160% from a year ago and makes April the 12th consecutive month showing year-over-year U.S. foreclosure activity increases. The Biden administration’s final extension of the pandemic-related moratorium on foreclosures ended July 31, 2021. The extension of the evictions moratorium for foreclosed borrowers ended September 30, 2021.
It is also worth noting that foreclosure filings decreased by close to 8% from March to April. The experts at ATTOM say this may be due to record levels of homeowner equity and the current hot housing market, allowing distressed homeowners the chance to sell their homes before going into final foreclosure. However, they say it may take a few months to see if this is what is happening.
According to ATTOM, year-over-year foreclosure increases will likely continue for the rest of 2022; however, they still expect foreclosures to stay below historic levels at least through the end of the year. Read on for the foreclosure rates in April 2022 – plus the five counties with the highest rates within those states.
Related: The safest cities in the US
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As just noted, foreclosures are up from last month, and up even more significantly compared to last year. Read on for April foreclosure rates for all 50 states — plus the District of Columbia — beginning with the state that had the lowest rate of foreclosure filings per housing unit.
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Ranking in population between Vermont and Alaska, the country’s 49th and 48th least populated states, Washington, D.C. had 10 foreclosures in April. With a total of 350,364 housing units, Washington, D.C.’s foreclosure rate was one in every 35,036 households, putting it in between the states of Kansas (#48) and North Dakota (#47).
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South Dakota once again nabbed the 50th spot; it had six homes go into foreclosure in April. Having 389,921 total housing units, the fifth least populated state had a foreclosure rate of one in every 64,987 households. Only three counties saw foreclosures in April. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lawrence, Minnehaha, and Lincoln.
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In 49th place for population, Vermont claimed the 49th spot for its foreclosure rate. Of Vermont’s 334,318 housing units, seven homes went into foreclosure for a rate of one in every 47,760 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Orange, Franklin, Windham, Washington, and Rutland.
” DonLand”
Kansas took the 48th spot. With 1,275,689 homes and a total of 35 housing units going into foreclosure, the 35th most-populated state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 36,448 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Geary, Leavenworth, Seward, Shawnee, and Miami.
Michael Pham
North Dakota’s foreclosure rate was one in every 33,695 homes. That puts the fourth least populated state – with a total of 370,642 housing units, of which 11 were in foreclosure — in 47th place. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Morton, Stark, Ward, Cass, and Williams.
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The 44th most populated state ranked 46th once again for foreclosure rate. With 18 foreclosures out of 514,803 housing units, its foreclosure rate was one in every 28,600 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Chouteau, Broadwater, Rosebud, Yellowstone, and Lewis And Clark.
YinYang
The 39th most populated state, West Virginia, ranked 45th. It has 855,635 homes, of which 56 went into foreclosure. That means the foreclosure rate was one in every 15,279 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Tyler, Lewis, Fayette, Boone, and Cabell.
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The 27th most populated state ranked 44th for highest foreclosure rate. Of Oregon’s 1,813,747 homes, 130 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 13,952 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Morrow, Polk, Klamath, Washington, and Multnomah.
HaizhanZheng
With a total 1,994,323 housing units, Kentucky saw 148 homes go into foreclosure. That put the foreclosure rate for the 26th most populated state at one in every 13,475 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Martin, Grant, Washington, Lincoln, and Webster.
Thomas Kelley
Ranked 13th for most populated state, Washington came in 42nd place for highest foreclosure rate. It has 320,2241 housing units, of which 251 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 12,758 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Douglas, Chelan, Okanogan, Skamania, and Grays Harbor.
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Ranked 33rd for most populated state, Arkansas took the 41st spot for highest foreclosure rate. It has 1,365,265 housing units, of which 122 went into foreclosure, making the state’s latest foreclosure rate one in every 11,191 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Woodruff, Lincoln, Ashley, Grant, and Mississippi.
Recommended: Tips on Buying a Foreclosed Home
Rdlamkin
Ranked the least populated in the country, Wyoming claimed the 40th spot for highest foreclosure rate. With 271,887 housing units, of which 26 went into foreclosure, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 10,457 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Crook, Carbon, Campbell, Sublette, and Big Horn.
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In Tennessee, the 16th most populated state, there were 291 foreclosures out of 3,031,605 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 10,418 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Wayne, Hardeman, Bledsoe, Humphreys, and White.
NathanMerrill
The eighth least populated state took the 38th spot for highest foreclosure rate. A total of 51 homes went into foreclosure out of 483,474 total housing units, making the foreclosure rate for the Ocean State one in every 9,480 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Providence, Bristol, Newport, Washington, and Kent.
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The 40th most populated state, Hawaii came in 37th for highest foreclosure rate. Of 561,066 homes, 61 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,198 households. Only three counties in the state had foreclosures. They were (from highest to lowest): Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu.
Art Wager
The 41st most populated state, New Hampshire ranked 36th for highest foreclosure rate. Of 638,795 homes, 70 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,126 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton, Rockingham, and Strafford.
DenisTangneyJr
Utah placed 35th for highest foreclosure rate. Of the Beehive State’s 1,151,414 housing units, 135 homes went into foreclosure, making the 30th most-populated state’s foreclosure rate one in every 8,529 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Sevier, Tooele, Morgan, Box Elder, and Emery.
AndreyKrav
Alaska saw 38 foreclosures, making the foreclosure rate one in every 8,356 homes. That caused the third least populated state, with a total of 317,524 housing units, to take the 34th spot. Only four counties saw foreclosures in April (from highest to lowest): Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna, Fairbanks North Star, and Kenai Peninsula.
Chilkoot
The 38th most populated state, Idaho had 91 homes go into foreclosure. With 751,859 total housing units, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 8,262 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lewis, Lincoln, Oneida, Benewah, and Shoshone.
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Ranked 18th for most populated state, Maryland took 32nd place for highest foreclosure rate. With a total of 2,530,844 housing units, of which 322 housing units went into foreclosure, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 7,860 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Prince George’s County, Charles, Garrett, Baltimore City, and Calvert.
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With 392 foreclosures out of 2,727,726 total housing units, Wisconsin, the 20th most populated state, had a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,958 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Marquette, Kenosha, Douglas, Dodge, and Langlade.
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FierceAbin
Ranked 37th for population, Nebraska claimed the 30th spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,920 homes. With a total 844,278 housing units, the state had 122 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Knox, Madison, Jefferson, Cedar, and Lancaster.
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The 15th most populated state ranked 29th for highest foreclosure rate. Of Massachusetts’ 2,998,537 housing units, 446 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,723 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Plymouth, Hampden, Franklin, Berkshire, and Worcester.
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With 1,268 out of a total 8,488,066 housing units going into foreclosure, the fourth most populated state took the 28th spot. New York’s foreclosure rate was one in every 6,694 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Genesee, Suffolk, Washington, Montgomery, and Tioga.
Eloi_Omella
The 36th most populated state took the 27th spot for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 940,859 homes, 141 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,673 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Chaves, Cibola, Eddy, Valencia, and Torrance.
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The 19th most populated state, Missouri came in 26th for highest rate of foreclosures. Of its 2,786,621 homes, 443 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,290 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Jefferson, New Madrid, Webster, Butler, and Gasconade.
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The 12th most populated state ranked 25th for highest foreclosure rate, with 581 homes going into foreclosure. Having 3,618,247 total housing units, the state saw a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,228 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Nottoway, Portsmouth City, Essex, Warren, and Greene.
DenisTangneyJr
In Mississippi, the 34th most populated state, there were 213 foreclosures out of 1,319,945 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 6,197 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Sharkey, Stone, Claiborne, Benton, and Adams.
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Ranked 25th for population, Louisiana took the 23rd spot, with 338 homes out of a total of 2,073,200 housing units going into foreclosure. That means Louisiana had a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,134 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Beauregard, Tangipahoa, and Richland.
DenisTangneyJr
Ranked as the ninth least populated state, Maine placed 22nd for highest foreclosure rate. With a total of 739,072 housing units, the Pine Tree State saw 126 foreclosures for a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,866 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Waldo, Aroostook, Somerset, Penobscot, and Androscoggin.
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Ranked 24th for most populated, Alabama came in 21st for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 2,288,330 homes, 391 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,853 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Dale, Barbour, Montgomery, Covington, and Conecuh.
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James Deitsch
Pennsylvania has the 20th highest foreclosure rate. The fifth most populated state had a total of 1,120 housing units out of 5,742,828 homes go into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 5,128 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Potter, Delaware, Philadelphia, Bucks, and Pike.
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The Lone Star State saw 2,297 foreclosures. With a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,045 households, this put the second most populous state with 11,589,324 housing units into the 19th spot – the same ranking it held in March. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Dickens, Ector, Collingsworth, Shackelford, and Nacogdoches.
DenisTangneyJr
In Arizona, the 14th most populated state, there were 614 foreclosures out of 3,082,000 housing units. That put the foreclosure rate at one in every 5,020 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Graham, Yavapai, Cochise, Pinal, and Greenlee.
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The ninth most populated state took 12th place for highest foreclosure rate. Out of 4,708,710 homes, 967 went into foreclosure. That put the Tar Heel State’s foreclosure rate at one in every 4,869 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Gates, Washington, Polk, Cumberland, and Hoke.
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Ranking 10th for population, Michigan took the 16th spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 4,771 homes. With a total of 4,570,173 housing units, the state had 958 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Saint Joseph, Genesee, Macomb, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
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Oklahoma claimed the ninth spot. With housing units totaling 1,746,807, the 28th most populated state saw 380 homes go into foreclosure at a rate of one in every 4,597 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Washita, Canadian, Craig, Love, and Garfield.
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The eighth most populated state, Georgia ranked 14th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 4,410,956 homes, 1,004 were foreclosed on. That put the state’s foreclosure rate at one in every 4,393 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Candler, Crawford, Polk, Baker, and Peach.
SeanPavonePhoto
Ranked 22nd for most populated state, Minnesota took the 13th spot for highest foreclosure rate. It has 2,485,558 housing units, of which 568 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 4,376 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Grant, Faribault, Mower, Clay, and Isanti.
JoeChristensen
The most populated state ranked 12th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 14,392,140 housing units, 3,465 went into foreclosure, making California’s foreclosure rate one in every 4,154 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lake, Siskiyou, Kern, Trinity, and Madera.
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With 377 of its 1,530,197 homes going into foreclosure, Connecticut had the 11th highest foreclosure rate of one in every 4,059 households. In the 29th most populated state, the counties that had the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Windham, Middlesex, New Haven, Hartford, and Litchfield.
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traveler1116
Iowa had the tenth highest foreclosure rate. With 353 housing units out of 1,412,789 homes going into foreclosure, the 31st most populated state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 4,002 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Fremont, Cass, Winnebago, Wapello, and Tama.
JoeChristensen
The third most populated state in the country has a total of 9,865,350 housing units, of which 2,906 went into foreclosure. The state’s ninth highest foreclosure rate is one in every 3,395 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Hamilton, Calhoun, Taylor, Gilchrist, and Union.
Elisa.rolle
The sixth least populated state in the country, Delaware ranked fourth for highest foreclosure rate. With one in every 3,138 homes going into foreclosure and a total 448,735 housing units, Delaware saw a total of 143 foreclosure filings. With only three counties in the state, the most foreclosures per housing unit were in (from highest to lowest): Kent, New Castle, and Sussex.
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With one in every 3,085 homes going into foreclosure, South Carolina moved out of the top three to take the seventh spot. Ranked 23rd for population, South Carolina has 2,344,963 housing units and saw 760 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Barnwell, Lexington, Dorchester, Marion, and Darlington.
SeanPavonePhoto
The 21st most populated state ranked 6th for highest foreclosure rate. Of Colorado’s 2,491,404 housing units, 812 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,068 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Pueblo, Delta, Mesa, Weld, and Morgan.
Jacob Boomsma / istockphoto
Ranking 32nd in population, Nevada took the fifth spot for foreclosure rate. With one in every 3,043 homes going into foreclosure and a total of 1,281,018 housing units, the state had 421 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest):Clark, Nye, Washoe, Elko, and Lyon.
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The 17th largest state by population, Indiana took the fourth spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,660 homes. Of its 2,923,175 homes, 1,099 homes were foreclosed on in April. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Noble, Grant, Clinton, Lake, and Elkhart.
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Ohio claimed the third spot, with a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,585 homes. With a total of 5,242,524 housing units, the seventh most populated state had a total of 2,028 filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Cuyahoga, Huron, Muskingum, Logan, and Greene.
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With a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,292 homes, New Jersey held on to second place. The 11th most populated state has 3,761,229 housing units, of which 1,641 went into foreclosure. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Cumberland, Salem, Warren, Camden, and Gloucester.
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Illinois took the number one spot again in April. Of its 5,426,429 homes, 2,421 went into foreclosure, making the sixth most populated state’s foreclosure rate one in every 2,241. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Will, Madison, Lee, Tazewell, and Mchenry.
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Of all 50 states, California had the most foreclosure filings (3,465); South Dakota had the least (6). As for the states with the highest foreclosure rates, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio took the top three spots, respectively.
The Great Lakes region had the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the highest for foreclosure rates. These states were (from highest to lowest): Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana.
The Plains region and the Southeast region tied for the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the lowest for foreclosure rates. The states in the Plains region were (from highest to lowest): North Dakota, Kansas, and South Dakota. The states in the Southeast region were (from highest to lowest): Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
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This article originally appeared on SoFi.comand was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Lending Corp. or an affiliate (dba SoFi), a lender licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law, license # 6054612; NMLS # 1121636. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.
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