Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing

The media has extensively covered the rise in mortgage interest rates since last fall (from 3.42% last September to the current 4.1% according to Freddie Mac). However, a less covered aspect of the mortgage market is that requirements to get a mortgage have eased while rates have risen.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) quantifies the availability of mortgage credit each month with their Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to the MBA, the MCAI is:

“A summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

The higher the index, the easier it is to get a mortgage. Here is a chart showing the MCAI over the last several months as rates have increased.

Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing | Simplifying The Market

Have requirements for attaining a mortgage actually eased?

Yes. Here are two examples:

  1. FICO® Score – the credit score which helps determine a buyer’s eligibility. The score required to attain a mortgage has been falling over the last five months:

Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing | Simplifying The Market

  1. Down Payment Requirement – the percentage of the purchase price necessary to place as a down payment on a home. To make this point, let’s look at the percentage of first-time buyers who have put less than 5% down over the last several years as compared to the 1st quarter of 2017:

Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing | Simplifying The Market

Bottom Line

Whether you are a current homeowner looking to move to a home that will better serve your family’s current needs, or a first-time buyer looking for a starter home, it is easier to get a mortgage today than it has been at any other time in the last ten years.  Even if you’re just curious what you will qualify for give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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27055 W Marco Polo Road Buckeye, AZ 85396

$575,700
3 Beds
3 Baths
2,332 SqFt
Status Active Under Contract
MLS # 6749709
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
A RARE FIND! A DESTINY LOCATED ON A PREMIUM GOLF COURSE LOT WITH CASITA, PREPAID SOLAR & NEWER HVAC(2022). Enter the private front courtyard to a True Split Floorplan. The expansive gathering space is an entertainers delight w/ fireplace & plenty of room for dining. Spacious kitchen boasts huge center island, granite counters, tile backsplash, newer appliances & cafe dining. The owners suite features a bay window, luxurious bath and large walk in closet. The guest room, den & guest bath are located on the opposite side of the home providing additional privacy. Guests will enjoy the private Casita w/bath. It can also be used for office, hobbies, or exercise rm. Enjoy outdoors on your patio w/ built in bbq, firepit, & sunset views over the golf course and White Tank Mountains

13602 S Garnet Road Buckeye, AZ 85326

$575,555
3 Beds
3 Baths
2,718 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6757813
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Move in ready custom home sitting on 1.2 acres with huge garage , remodeled primary bath with tiled shower & tub, new vanity, lighting, & fixtures. Nicely remodeled kitchen with QUARTZ counters, tall cabinets, pantry & trash compactor. Breakfast bar, eat-in kitchen + a formal dining room. Living room with cozy fireplace & large bay window seat flows nicely into billiard room, bar, & office. There is a large craft room with outside exit door & an enclosed AZ room off the primary + a nursery & walk-in closet. Vaulted ceilings, fans, plant shelves, french doors with inset blinds, dual pane windows. 3.5 car extra tall garage with plenty of storage, newer water softener. Grass yard, 2 RV gates, fully fenced. And a sun deck to enjoy 300* MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Live Rural with shopping only 4 miles awa

8552 W Sierra Street Peoria, AZ 85345

$575,500 - 4Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Ryland At Silvercreek, Peoria
Open House
$575,500
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,228 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6727723
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
**BUYER FINANCING HELP AVAILABLE**Step into this freshly painted home featuring a spacious living and dining area that provides ample space for entertainment. The large kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island, extended cabinetry, a breakfast nook, and opens to a huge family room with a cozy fireplace. The expansive primary suite offers a walk-in closet and a luxurious bath. Three additional bedrooms share a well-appointed bathroom. Outside, enjoy a perfect backyard oasis complete with a heated pool featuring a soothing waterfall. Situated on a huge lot ideal for entertaining or personal enjoyment, the property includes a gazebo and storage shed for added convenience. RV gate and ample parking space, plus a three-car garage and new AC unit

1205 W Golden Ore Pass Apache Junction, AZ 85120

$575,120
4 Beds
3 Baths
2,575 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6765389
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
REDUCED! Experience the unique offerings of this home and buying journey. Welcome to Mariposa at Blossom Rock. The single-story Agave design, presents an open-concept floorplan featuring an inviting kitchen and a bright great room with a separate dining area that seamlessly connects to the private, covered outdoor room. The 3-car garage leads to a convenient drop zone, flex room/office, and more. $57,000 in upgrades are included. ***Special financing options are available.*** Blossom Rock's amenities are designed to inspire outdoor living, including community parks, miles of trails, beautiful lakes, signature events, and more. Moreover, perfect blend of tranquility and adventure to enrich your everyday life.

32 County Road Unit 3069 Concho, AZ 85924

$575,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,460 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6717647
Property Type Manufactured Home
Price Type --
Motivated Seller! Says to submit all offers. Don't miss out on this beautiful property in the Vernon Area! Approximately 10 fenced acres, with a triple wide manufactured home, your own well, 4 horse paddocks and a 30'x60' Metal Building for storing farm equipment and animal feed. Another 30'x60' Metal Building nearby, is set up for a work shop with a mother in law quarters attached at the rear. You will have your own well with 2000 gallon storage, and plenty of space to stretch out. Seller is offering a 2% Sellers Concession for the Buyers to use in buying sown their points!!!! Seller has also REDUCED the price to $20k below the appraised price!!!! The trees on the property were selectively removed so as to maximize the privacy and solitude. 30' X 72' shop with 700 sq ft guest room with kitchenette and bathroom as well as laundry, suitable for student, mother in law or caretaker quarters. Worry free Electric thermal heating system. Convenient rest room facilities for the shop. Separate septic system. Main part of the shop is not heated. 800 square feet of grass, extensive flower beds with sprinklers and drip irrigation. 30' X 60' metal barn, four separate horse corrals, 4 water hydrants in the horse area, hitching post adjacent to the barn, next to a corral. Well, 12' X 20' well house, 2000 gallon storage tank, pressure pump, 2 bladder tanks. Dog yard, small yard for wet weather, large yard pen when it is dry. Smart Doggie door off the laundry room. 1.5 miles to National Forest with riding and hiking trails plentiful. Star Link high speed internet. Owner will leave the internet system in place assuming it is transferable to the new owners.

45816 N 288th Avenue Wickenburg, AZ 85390

$575,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
1,680 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6639472
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Getting closer to completion, drywall is in! Discover the epitome of contemporary living in this exceptional hillside home, currently under construction on 3.44 acres of sprawling beauty. Boasting a distinctive metal roof and metal siding, this brand-new 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 4-car garage residence is a visionary blend of modern aesthetics and rugged elegance. This home invites you to become a part of its story. Seize the rare opportunity to acquire this hillside masterpiece at a discounted rate before its completion. Envision the lifestyle that awaits in a new, custom-built residence surrounded by the serenity of nature. Make your mark on this exceptional property - the canvas is yours, and the possibilities are endless.

35420 N 220th Drive Morristown, AZ 85342

$575,000
3 Beds
3 Baths
2,515 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6723494
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Welcome to this beautiful 3 bedroom plus den, 3 bathroom home sitting on 1 acre. Open concept design with a split floor plan. Tile flooring in main living areas with luxury vinyl wood flooring in the family room. Kitchen boasts granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, staggered wood cabinet's and a coffee bar. Extra large laundry room with utility sink and matching cabinets. 2 large RV gates on the north and south sides of the property with 30amp RV hookup available. Large covered patio with above ground spa. Plenty of room for parking the toys and an extra large separate storage garage. Built with self sufficiency in mind this property is the well owner, has in ground septic and solar panels. Roof was completely redone in May 2023.

44230 N 44th Lane Phoenix, AZ 85087

$575,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,695 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6756463
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Experience breathtaking mountain views and enjoy a professionally landscaped yard with low-maintenance synthetic grass in back, perfectly complementing the brand-new saltwater pool with a reversible speed motor. This newly built Energy Star 2024 home is truly a rare find! Offering 2 spacious bedrooms, a versatile flex room, 2 bathrooms, and a 3-car tandem garage complete with a service door and overhead storage, this home is filled with upscale touches. The interior features stunning ceiling box beams, elegant tile flooring throughout, custom interior paint, and insulated walls for added soundproofing. The expansive laundry room includes a closet, storage racks, and a convenient wet sink. The open-concept floor plan showcases a gourmet kitchen with a stylish backsplash, gas stove, pendant-lit island with breakfast bar, wall ovens, quartz countertops, and a walk-in pantry that flows effortlessly into the dining and great room areas. A 4-panel glass patio door invites you to the covered outdoor patio for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The master suite offers luxury and comfort with custom built-in cabinetry, a barn door, an upgraded step-in shower, and a generously sized walk-in closet with extra shelving. Additional home features include a whole-house premium water filtration system, water softener, reverse osmosis system, ceiling fans, blinds, patio roller shades, and smart home technology including a smart thermostat. The backyard is perfect for entertaining, with a gas BBQ stub, pool safety features, self-closing patio doors, and a secured exterior gate, all enclosed by block and view fencing.

8016 E Medina Avenue Mesa, AZ 85209

$575,000
3 Beds
2 Baths
2,172 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6750548
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
You'll appreciate the central location of this 3-bedroom golf course home in the amenity-packed community of SVE, convenient to the restaurant, pool complexes, workout facilities, golf course and all Clubs/amenities. This well-taken care of home is ready to move in, so you don't delay the upcoming season of fun. There are many features unique to this home including a 9' x 8' bonus room in double garage to park your golf cart or motorcycle or utilize for extra storage or workshop as well as the electronic security shutters that enclose the covered back patio. With over 2,100 sq. ft., this floorplan provides two additional bedrooms creating ample space for visitors. Other features include a vaulted living room, family room with views to the golf course, and a formal dining room that could be converted to an office, craft or sewing room. Enjoy your morning coffee on the covered patio watching golfers attempt a birdie putt on Hole No. 7 with the Superstition Mountains in the background. Enter the home from the expanded south-facing front patio and your eyes will go right to the view of the golf course. You'll notice the abundant amount of light in the tiled kitchen coming from the sliding glass door in the dine-in area, with the kitchen providing beautiful cabinets with pull-out shelves. The large family room creates that extra space for entertaining as it includes a wet bar as well as access to the golf course patio. A primary bedroom allows the south sun to brighten the room and provides a private bathroom and walk in closet. The guest bathroom with tub/shower combo is centrally located between the second and third bedroom. The guest bedroom with north-window overlooking golf course is an expanded bedroom with his/her closets. If you didn't need a third bedroom, you could use the extra space for an office, sewing room or craft/hobby room. The garage features built in cabinets, a work bench, an exterior service door, and the bonus room. Sunland Village East is a community that provides an amenity for everyone's interests while still maintaining low annual HOA fees.

1 E Lexington Avenue Unit 1101 Phoenix, AZ 85012

$575,000
2 Beds
2 Baths
1,261 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6720258
Property Type Apartment
Price Type --
Urban luxury living at your oasis in the city with million dollar views from the 11th floor of One Lexington, the premier high rise community in downtown Phoenix. This loft style contemporary is spacious and bright with floor to ceiling glass that capture dramatic views of the Phoenix City scape, along with picturesque surrounding mountain views. The kitchen is sleek and opens onto the main living space with custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and ample storage space. The primary bedroom windows frame the city beyond and the spa like bath has dual vanities, a soak tub, walk in shower and roomy closet space. The secondary bedroom offers flexibility and additional opportunities for endless sunsets and desert night skies.Amenities include front desk staff, a heated resort style pool and spa, built in outdoor grills, a full gym facility with free weights and a club lounge for special events, along with a dog run for your urban city furry friend. The unit has 2 assigned gated parking spaces, as well as a separate lockable storage locker. Walk or ride the light rail to sporting events, dining, theater, opera and museums: all within walking distance of your desert city oasis. Go to our website for more information.

2849 N Heritage Street Buckeye, AZ 85396

$575,000
5 Beds
3.5 Baths
2,975 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6724962
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Exceptional housing opportunity in the sought-after Verrado community! This nearly 3000 sq. ft. property features 4 bedrooms and a loft. It includes a rare 440 sq. ft. casita with a private entrance—ideal for extra rental income. The main house boasts durable wood and tile flooring, a well-appointed kitchen with granite countertops and brand new stainless steel appliances. The master suite offers a garden tub, separate shower, private toilet room, and walk-in closet. Fully paid-off solar panels reduce energy costs. Currently rented until May 2025, ensuring immediate rental income. The newly renovated casita adds tremendous value to this home. Don't miss this turn-key investment in Verrado!

4115 S 75th Drive Phoenix, AZ 85043

$575,000
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,170 SqFt
Status Active
MLS # 6733896
Property Type Single Family Residence
Price Type --
Come take a look at this amazing home. It could be YOUR New Home Sweet Home. It is a corner lot with an oversize lot and huge backyard. You will appreciate the great curb appeal and attractive landscaping when you pull up. It has a split floor plan with 3 spacious secondary bedrooms on one side of the home and the primary bed on the other. Your new kitchen offers a breakfast bar, granite countertops, tile backsplash, and a ton of cabinet storage space. You will spend a lot of time in the oasis of a backyard which has covered patio, dog run, covered gazebo with built in BBQ, sparkling swimming pool, RV Parking, and a ton of room to play and entertain. You don't want to miss out on this amazing home so hurry and come take a look! You will love it.

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