Posted by MeridianLink | June 5, 2024

Navigating the U.S. Housing Affordability Crisis 

The materials available in this article are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your own advisors with questions regarding the content herein. The opinions expressed in this article are of the individual authors and may not reflect the opinions of MeridianLink, Inc. This article will touch on issues related to housing affordability.  

With home prices skyrocketing and economic pressures intensifying, the U.S. housing affordability crisis is creating hurdles for both potential homeowners and lenders. Finding a way through this intricate landscape calls for innovative solutions and strategic foresight. This pressing issue took center stage at MeridianLink® LIVE!, where Jim Deitch, CMB, Co-Founder and CEO of Teraverde®, captivated the audience with his insights. With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Jim’s expertise and dynamic approach make him a compelling voice in addressing today’s housing challenges. 

This article explores the highlights of his presentation at MeridianLink LIVE! 2024, including the macroeconomic issues impacting affordability, the challenges faced in mortgage loan origination, and potential solutions to enhance affordability through technological advancements and regulatory reforms. 

Macroeconomic Affordability Issues 

The housing affordability crisis is a complex problem influenced by a web of macroeconomic factors. Rising home prices, stagnant wages, and increasing interest rates all contribute to declining affordability. Each is problematic, but together, they pose significant obstacles for aspiring homeowners, particularly for middle-class families who find themselves increasingly priced out of the market.  

Credit score disparities and mounting household debt also present pressing issues, making it crucial to understand them at their core to develop effective solutions. 

Homeownership Obstacles and Affordability Lows 

Homeownership remains a critical wealth-building tool for Americans, yet obstacles such as high home prices and rising interest rates are pushing affordability to new lows. This decline in affordability is exacerbated by stagnant personal incomes and the increasing cost of living, with 51% of aspiring homeowners citing high living costs as a primary barrier, and 54% pointing to insufficient income relative to home prices. 

Middle-Class Being Priced Out of Housing Affordability

The middle class is particularly affected, often finding themselves priced out of homeownership. As of recent data, only 23% of middle-income families can afford homes currently on the market. The shift from buying to renting has become more prevalent, as the lock-in effect—where current homeowners with low mortgage rates are reluctant to sell—tightens home supply. In fact, 88.5% of U.S. homeowners have mortgage rates under 6%, indicating a reluctance to move and pay higher rates. 

Credit Scores and Household Debt 

Credit scores and household debt also play crucial roles in affordability. According to NerdWallet, the average FICO score by age group ranges from 680 for ages 18-29 to 753 for those 60 and older. Racial disparities in credit scores are also significant. Additionally, household debt continues to mount, with a $212 billion increase in Q4 2024 compared to Q3, and consumers spending over $1 trillion annually on interest payments.  

Mortgage Loan Origination Cost Challenges 

Housing affordability does not only affect potential homeowners; it also significantly impacts lenders. As affordability decreases, the pool of eligible borrowers shrinks, leading to lower loan volumes. This puts pressure on lenders to optimize their operations and reduce costs to maintain profitability.  

As the market becomes more competitive, lenders must also enhance their value propositions to attract and retain borrowers. Understanding and addressing the challenges associated with mortgage loan origination costs is crucial for lenders to thrive in this challenging environment.  

Solutions to Housing Affordability 

Addressing the U.S. housing affordability crisis requires a combination of policy reforms, innovative construction methods, and advanced mortgage technology solutions. These strategies can help increase housing supply, reduce costs, and make homeownership more accessible for a broader range of people.  

Effectiveness of Sales Personnel 

The effectiveness of sales personnel in originating loans is one critical factor. As competition intensifies, lenders must find ways to optimize their processes and reduce costs without sacrificing service quality. Embracing technology and fostering innovation holds the key to streamlining operations and boosting efficiency in this domain. 

Thankfully, the environment is ripe for innovation, as Jim pointed out: “Innovation does not come from the status quo…innovation comes from what’s going to matter going forward. It’s not where you’ve been, it’s where you’re going that really matters.” 

Industry Settlements and Real Estate Transaction Costs 

Recent industry settlements, such as those involving the National Association of Realtors, highlight the high costs associated with real estate transactions. The cost to originate a mortgage loan averages around 400 basis points of the principal balance, significantly impacting per loan profitability. 

Zoning, Density, and ADUs 

Regulatory reforms, such as zoning changes and increased density allowances, can help address the housing shortage. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and similar measures have been effective in cities like Minneapolis, which added 12% to its housing stock over five years through zoning law changes. “We saw Minneapolis add 12% to its housing stock in just that five-year period, far more than other cities,” Alex Horowitz, director of housing policy initiatives at Pew, reported to NPR. Such reforms can significantly increase the availability of affordable housing. 

Construction Cost Controls 

Part of the solution lies in construction cost controls, which can help ease the supply shortage. Transitioning from the traditional, on-site construction process to newer initiatives can reduce costs, slash development timelines, and create a more efficient housing development process.  

Controlling construction costs through modular, manufactured, and ADU housing at scale can reduce expenses and make new homes more affordable. Innovative construction methods, including greenways, can also contribute to cost reductions and increased housing stock. 

Innovative Mortgage Technology Solutions 

As Jim aptly stated, “Embracing the future of mortgage lending is not just about keeping up with technology—it’s about leveraging innovations to create real value for both lenders and borrowers.” 

Digital platforms like MeridianLink® Mortgage not only streamline the loan origination process but also introduce groundbreaking innovations tailored to alleviate the financial burdens faced by aspiring homeowners. By leveraging cloud-native architecture, customizable workflow automation, and seamless integration capabilities, lenders can not only enhance accessibility and efficiency but also reduce costs and bolster profitability.  

With a comprehensive suite of tools, MeridianLink Mortgage is specifically designed to streamline every step of the mortgage origination journey. Its native product and pricing engine, built-in electronic document management system, and versatile web portals cater to both consumer direct and third-party origination (TPO) business channels. And its point-of-sale solution features on-brand design, highly configurable fields, and real-time communication channels among borrowers, loan officers, and realtors. 

The seamless integration with loan origination systems ensures a smooth workflow, while the provision of accurate, real-time pricing via product and pricing engines (PPE) enhances efficiency and user-friendliness. Together, these features empower lenders to optimize their processes, reduce costs, and provide a superior experience for all stakeholders involved in the mortgage origination process. 

Debt Optimization for Housing Affordability

Debt optimization tools can further enhance the consumer journey by providing superior service and more affordable borrower solutions. These tools help manage and reduce debt, making homeownership more attainable for potential buyers. 

As the housing market evolves, continuous innovation and strategic thinking will be key to overcoming affordability challenges and fostering sustainable growth. 

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