Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the Crash

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008.

One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. 

Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:

“The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage. Take a look at the graph below of the MCAI since they started keeping track of this data in 2004. It shows how lending standards have changed over time. It works like this: 

• When lending standards are less strict, it’s easier to get a mortgage, and the index (the green line in the graph) is higher.

• When lending standards are stricter, it’s harder to get a mortgage, and the line representing the index is lower.

In 2004, the index was around 400. But, by 2006, it had gone up to over 850. Today, the story is quite different. Since the crash, the index went down because lending standards got tighter, so today it’s harder to get a mortgage.

Loose Lending Standards Contributed to the Housing Bubble

One of the main factors that contributed to the housing bubble was that lending standards were a lot less strict back then. Realtor.com explains it like this: 

“In the early 2000s, it wasn’t exactly hard to snag a home mortgage. . . . plenty of mortgages were doled out to people who lied about their incomes and employment, and couldn’t actually afford homeownership.” 

The tall peak in the graph above indicates that leading up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get credit, and the requirements for getting a loan were far from strict. Back then, credit was widely available, and the threshold for qualifying for a loan was low.

Lenders were approving loans without always going through a verification process to confirm if the borrower would likely be able to repay the loan. That means creditors were lending to more borrowers who had a higher risk of defaulting on their loans.

Today’s Loans Are Much Tougher To Get than Before

As mentioned, lending standards have changed a lot since then. Bankrate describes the difference: 

“Today, lenders impose tough standards on borrowers – and those who are getting a mortgage overwhelmingly have excellent credit.”

If you look back at the graph, you’ll notice after the peak around the time of the housing crash, the line representing the index went down dramatically and has stayed low since. In fact, the line is far below where standards were even in 2004 – and it’s getting lower. Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at MBA, provides the most recent update from May:

“Mortgage credit availability decreased for the third consecutive month . . . With the decline in availability, the MCAI is now at its lowest level since January 2013.”

The decreasing index suggests standards are getting much tougher – which makes it clear we’re far away from the extreme lending practices that contributed to the crash.

Bottom Line

Leading up to the housing crash, lending standards were much more relaxed with little evaluation done to measure a borrower’s potential to repay their loan. Today, standards are tighter, and the risk is reduced for both lenders and borrowers. This goes to show, these are two very different housing markets, and this market isn’t like the last time.

Keep reading.

Related Links

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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This Is the First Decision You Should Make When Decorating a Small Bedroom

Most people aren’t blessed with a palatial, Cher Horowitz-sized bedroom à la Clueless (color-coded motorized closet and all, IYKYK)

Luckily, though, there’s no shortage of tried-and-true decorating hacks to help maximize square footage in a compact sleep space, from brightening paint colors (hint: try creams and blues) to furniture layout ideas. Recently, I even learned about a new, expert-approved small-bedroom design tip that should arguably be priority number one when it comes to designing your sleeping quarters.

I asked New York-based designer Kyi Gyaw of Kyi Gyaw Interiors to share a few of her top small-space styling pointers, and she had one particularly notable takeaway. According to Gyaw, the very first decision you should make in decorating any teeny-tiny bedroom is — drum roll, please — determining “if you want to go quiet or loud.” What does that mean, exactly? Essentially, choosing a distinct tone for the space from the get-go, whether that’s more muted and minimalist or bold and packed with personality. Below, Gyaw breaks down how to pull off both ends of the small bedroom spectrum. 

How to Decorate a “Quiet” Small Bedroom

If you’d rather lean into a neutral bedroom design scheme, Gyaw first recommends being intentional with your color palette by honing in on just three to four hues total — specifically soothing, muted shades. “There’s a trend of only using white and beige these days, but it’s OK to add color as long as they are pastel and softer,” she explains. From there, Gyaw also suggests adding “a lot of interest in textures and very subtle patterns” with textiles and decorative accessories, but again, sticking with similar tones throughout the space “to not overwhelm your eyes,” she adds. Consider finishing off the look with linen bedding and window treatments specifically for the ultimate “welcoming, relaxed, and lived-in” feel, Gyaw notes.

Lamp placement is key in any tranquil bedroom as well. “I suggest having different types of lighting in your bedroom so that you can really enhance the mood,” says Gyaw. Think beyond just ceiling lights, as Gyaw notes they have a tendency to create a “cave-like feeling.” Instead, “in order to have that layered lighting effect, you will need table lamps and floor lamps,” Gyaw adds. For a warm, cozy ambience, she advises 2700K temperature bulbs, preferably with dimming capabilities. 

How to Decorate a “Loud” Small Bedroom

“When I think of loud spaces, I think of bold and fun,” says Gyaw. “It’s OK to have a lot of things going on, but I suggest you find a common thread.” She cites playing with different textile patterns and colors, for example, yet keeping them all within the same fabric family, like velvet or satin. Once you’ve landed on a cohesive design scheme, you can then get as creative as possible with vibrant rugs, bedding, throw pillows, and art. For the latter, Gyaw proposes setting up a gallery wall that incorporates mirrors — especially sculptural styles that double as accent pieces — to diversify the setup and help brighten any small bedroom. 

In terms of lighting in a more maximalist environment, Gyaw’s all for making a big statement. “Lighting is such an important aspect of any interior, and people will notice a fun chandelier, table lamp, wall sconce, or floor lamp,” she says. No need to fully reinvent the wheel here, though: You can instantly perk up an existing light with a punchy new shade, notes Gyaw, who references Etsy as a shopping hotspot for unique options. That upcycling mentality even extends to furniture makeovers, too. “I love reupholstering vintage furniture to give it a new life,” she says. “You can find a simple storage ottoman and reupholster it to a really unique fabric.” End-of-the-bed benches and reading chairs are other options you can consider for re-covering, as well.

Of course, there’s always the option to pick and choose elements from both “quiet” and “loud” small bedroom design ideas. Just be deliberate when curating furniture and decor pieces so that the space doesn’t feel overly cluttered or jarringly mismatched — unless, of course, that’s the look you’re going for because it speaks to you.

Get more like this on Apartment Therapy.

Related Links

• Here's Why Life Is So Good in "15-Minute Cities"

• What Homebuyers Need To Know About Credit Scores

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Twin Cities Metro Area Real Estate Market Report from May 2023

Prices down slightly again while sellers still getting over asking price

• The median sales price was down 1.3 percent from last May to $370,000
• Signed purchase agreements fell 19.3 percent; new listings down 17.6 percent
• Sellers accepted offers for an average of 101.1 percent of their list price

Sales & Prices

Prices were flat in April and down slightly in May. As in April, May sellers still accepted offers above their list price despite a decline in sales—a dynamic that reflects the persistently tight balance between supply and demand even in light of rising mortgage rates. While some sellers are still seeing multiple offers on well-presented listings, the offers were closer to 1.0 percent over list price versus 4.0 percent over list price last May. With half the homes selling in under 13 days, market times are up as demand has waned. And yet, homes are still selling faster than in May of 2019 and 2020.

Pending sales dipped 19.3 percent; closed sales fell 28.1 percent. Condo sales showed the largest drop while townhomes saw the smallest decline. Single family homes sold at a median of $405,000, townhomes at $311,000 and condos at $205,000. New home sales were flat while existing home sales were down. New homes sold for $461,000 while existing homes sold for $355,000. Sales under $500,000 decreased 20.4 percent while sales over $1M fell just 6.6 percent.

Home prices are up 25.5 percent since May 2020, but down 1.3 percent from May 2022. “It’s important to keep things in perspective,” said Jerry Moscowitz, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “The median price simply reflects the middle or typical home selling, but every home is unique. In some ways, this pause gives buyers some room to be more selective on the listings that really stand out.”

Listings And Inventory

In May, sellers brought 17.6 percent fewer new listings online than last year—the smallest decline in four months. Inventory levels slid 9.0 percent lower. Some sellers are choosing to stay put and wait instead of selling for a lower price. Most sellers are also buyers and are reluctant to trade away their 3.0 percent interest rate for 6.8 percent. “While rates are surely a factor in decision-making, don’t lose sight of other factors like changes in lifestyle, a new job, growing or shrinking households, separations and so on,” said Brianne Lawrence, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “Economists’ interest rate forecasts vary widely; nobody knows what will happen. If you buy and rates go down you can refinance, if they go up, you’ll be glad you didn’t wait. We’re still below the average 30-year mortgage interest rate over the last 50 years.”

Sellers are also still getting good offers fairly quickly. At a median of 13 days, homes are still selling even faster than in May 2020—there are just fewer sales. But, there are also fewer listings. Both supply and demand downshifting together means the balance between buyer and seller activity has remained tight. And those sellers accepted offers at 101.1 percent of their list price—down from 104.1 percent from last May but clearly still a strong figure. The Twin Cities metro remains a seller’s market, just not to the same degree as last year. The 1.8 months supply of inventory for May was up 28.6 percent. Typically 4-6 months of supply are needed to achieve a balanced, neutral market.

Location & Property Type

Market activity varies by area, price point and property type. New home sales rose 34.6 percent while existing home sales were down 23.0 percent. Single family sales fell 23.6 percent, condo sales declined 8.5 percent and townhome sales were down 3.9 percent. Sales in Minneapolis decreased 13.1 percent while Saint Paul sales fell 29.8 percent. Cities such as Watertown, Medina, Corcoran, Dayton and Shakopee saw the largest sales gains while Buffalo, Monticello, Cambridge and Zimmerman all had notably lower demand than last year.

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Thank you to Minneapolis Area Realtors for compiling this report.

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Here’s Why Life Is So Good in “15-Minute Cities”

Picture this: You walk out your front door, hop on your bike, and ride to a doctor’s appointment.

On your ride home, you drop by the grocery store to pick up a few veggies for dinner. Later, you walk to the park for a little sunset stroll.

This fantasy could be your reality if you move to a “15-minute city.”

What is a 15-minute city, anyway? As the name suggests, it’s a neighborhood or urban development in which everything residents need to thrive is within a quick 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. That includes shopping, healthcare, leisure, work, school, services — you name it.

The concept is not new — a business professor and scientist named Carlos Moreno popularized the idea back in 2010 — but it has been in the news a lot lately. And not for the reason you might guess: Conspiracy theorists latched onto the idea and falsely equated 15-minute cities to prison camps, in which governments would monitor and restrict citizens’ movements.

Recent controversies aside, the concept likely has staying power. City leaders around the globe included 15-minute cities on their list of steps communities can take to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that promotes health, sustainability, inclusivity, and economic resilience. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a move and want to consider a 15-minute city.

The Pros and Cons of 15-Minute Cities

Proponents say 15-minute cities have numerous benefits. Because they’re designed for walking and biking, they should help reduce our reliance on fuel-guzzling, greenhouse-gas-emitting vehicles amid human-caused climate change.

“The concept of a 15-minute city is very much on brand with the current interest in reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the negative human impact on the planet,” says real estate broker Julia Hoagland. “When people are within a short distance of work, shopping, play, and entertainment, they don’t need to drive a car as often and might not even need a car at all.”

A prominent example of a 15-minute city in the U.S. is Portland, Oregon. Living in a 15-minute city can also help residents stay active and spend more time outdoors, which has been linked with mental health benefits. And because people are out and about (instead of alone in their cars) they’re more likely to socialize and foster connections, says real estate broker Louise Phillips Forbes. “When everything is condensed in a mini-community, people flourish through relationships that might not happen otherwise,” she says.

With key destinations so close together, residents can spend less of their time and energy on commuting and focus more on leisure activities, says real estate broker Stephane Guerrier. Buying a house in a 15-minute city can also be a savvy financial move, she adds.

“The convenience and accessibility of essential services make your neighborhood more attractive to potential buyers or renters,” she says. “When people see they can have everything they need close by, they’re willing to pay more for a home in that area.”

The flip side of this, of course, is that you’ll likely pay higher prices when you’re hunting for a house to buy. A home in a 15-minute city may simply be out of your price range.

“The closer you are to the action, the higher the prices are — that’s the typical give-and-take scenario,” says real estate agent Ivan Chorney. “If you want it all, you better be prepared to give more from your wallet.”

Depending on the type of development, you may also have to settle for a smaller home and property, and that just won’t work for everyone. “If having a big home and a big yard are the most important things to a buyer, then they’ll likely need to be farther away from the action,” Chorney says.

But if location — and, more specifically, proximity — is at the top of your real estate wish list, then buying in a 15-minute city could help you really hone in on what’s important to you in a home. This is true in New York City, which is sort of like a 15-minute city on steroids. There, residents treat public spaces, like parks and playgrounds, and shared spaces, like restaurants and gyms, as extensions of their living space, says real estate agent Kate Wollman-Mahan.

“Most New Yorkers do not have the luxury of thinking of their home as a place that can meet all of their desires, but they learn to prioritize what they really need at home,” she says.

Keep reading on Apartment Therapy.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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What Homebuyers Need To Know About Credit Scores

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score’s a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan.

Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, to pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. An article from Bankrate explains:

 “Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Not just to qualify for the loan itself, but for the conditions: Typically, the higher your score, the lower the interest rates and better terms you’ll qualify for.”

This means your credit score may feel even more important to your homebuying plans right now since mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability, especially today. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the median credit score in the U.S. for those taking out a mortgage is 765. But, that doesn’t mean your credit score has to be perfect. An article from Business Insider explains generally how your FICO score range can make an impact:

“. . . you don’t need a perfect credit score to buy a house. . . . Aiming to get your credit score in the ‘Good’ range (670 to 739) would be a great start towards qualifying for a mortgage. But if you’re wanting to qualify for the lowest rates, try to get your score within the ‘Very Good’ range (740 to 799).” 

Working with a trusted lender’s the best way to get more information on how your credit score could factor into your home loan and the mortgage rate you’re able to get. As FICO says:

“While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders and there are many additional factors that lenders may use to determine your actual interest rates.”

If you’re looking for ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some things you may want to focus on:

• Your Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.

• Your Debt Amount (relative to your credit limits): When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.

• Credit Applications: If you’re looking to buy, don’t apply for other credit. When you apply for new credit, it could result in a hard inquiry on your credit that drops your score.

When you’re ready to start the homebuying process, a lender will be able to assess which range your score falls in and tell you more about the specifics for each loan type.

Bottom Line

With affordability challenges today, prioritizing ways you can have a positive impact on your credit score could help you get a better mortgage rate. If you want to learn more, connect with a trusted lender.

Read on.

Related Links

• Have a Backyard You Don’t Know What to Do With? Here’s Some Inspiration…

• The Main Reason Mortgage Rates Are So High

• 5 Tips for Creating a Cute, Cozy, Kid-Friendly Play Area

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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