Why Today’s Mortgage Debt Isn’t a Sign of a Housing Market Crash

One major reason why we’re not heading toward a This is partly due to a variety of programs designed to help homeowners through temporary hardships. As Marina Walsh, VP of Industry Analysis at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), says:

“. . . servicers are helping at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosures through loan workout options that can mitigate temporary distress.”

So, even if someone falls behind on their payments, there are support systems in place to help them avoid foreclosure.

Low Unemployment Helps Keep the Market Stable

One other important factor is today’s low unemployment rate. More people have stable jobs, which means they’re better able to afford their mortgage payments. As Archana Pradhan, Principal Economist at CoreLogic, explains:

“Low unemployment numbers have helped reduce the overall delinquency rate . . .”

During the last housing crisis, unemployment was much higher, which led to a wave of foreclosures. Today’s unemployment rate is very different (see graph below):

That stability in how many people are employed is one of the reasons the market doesn’t have the same risks as it did the last time.

There’s no need to worry about a wave of distressed sales like the one we saw in 2008. Most homeowners today are employed and have low-interest mortgages they can afford, so they’re able to make their payments. As McBride states:

“The bottom line is there will not be a huge wave of distressed sales as happened following the housing bubble.” 

Bottom Line

While mortgage debt is high, rest assured the market isn’t on the brink of another crash. Instead, most homeowners are in a strong position. If you have questions or concerns, connect with a local real estate agent.