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Average Mortgage Debt

Nov 10, 2023 By Susan Kelly

Most of their financial woes can be traced back to their inability to keep up with their debt payments. Mortgage debt throughout the nation currently averages more than $215,000, and the industry has been seeing consistent growth for years. However, only some Americans are responsible for the same amount of debt when it comes to mortgages.

Because purchasing a home in some areas is far more affordable, the average consumer debt in such states is substantially smaller. Mortgage debt also varies throughout generations and even genders. Are you interested in understanding the average amounts still owing on mortgages in the United States and other developed economies? Also, check average American mortgage debt.

Most Common Types Of Debt

Mortgage debt is by far the most popular kind of consumer debt in the United States. More than 70 percent of Americans' outstanding debt on their balance sheets is owing to outstanding household obligations. This amounts to a total of $16.15 trillion. Here is a look at some of the other main reasons why people in the United States are making loan repayments:

  • Student loans: $1.59 trillion
  • Auto loans: $1.5 trillion
  • Credit cards: $890 billion
  • HELOCs: $320 billion

Average FICO Scores For Homeowners

It is crucial to be aware of a straightforward rule if you are considering applying for a house loan and taking on a new burden of mortgage debt. The simpler rule is that, the better your FICO score, the cheaper your mortgage rate will be. Consumers with great credit scores are the ones that qualify for the lowest interest rates. Conventional lenders may accept credit scores as low as 620, but such borrowers are not eligible for the best interest rates. If you reduce your interest rate, the total amount of interest you will have to pay on the debt throughout the life of the loan and for each payment will be reduced.

Mortgage Debt By Generation

In general, young individuals in the United States are the ones who are first exposed to the concept of taking on debt. By the time they reach middle age, most Americans have slowed down their borrowing rate and are working toward paying off their debts. This pattern has repeated itself over many generations in concert with changes in the mortgage rates associated with mortgages and the growth of housing values, which has picked up significant steam over the last few years. What is average mortgage balance by age?

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price of an existing house in the United States was $155,600 in February 2012. In the same period of time in 2017, the median had increased to $228,200. By February in the year 2022, it had skyrocketed to $357,300.

How To Decrease Mortgage Debt

Even though a mortgage is often seen as a "positive debt," reducing the amount of debt you owe on your mortgage may help you save a considerable amount of money on interest, give you peace of mind, or allow you to pursue other financial objectives. You may cut the amount you owe on your mortgage in several different methods, some of which are included here:

  • Purchase a residence with a lower purchase price. Put another way, the lower the property price, lower the monthly mortgage payment.
  • If you can put more funds upfront on property, you won't need as much of mortgage. This is why saving more money for a down payment is important. Here are some pointers to help you save more money for a down payment and some pointers to help you seek assistance with a down payment.
  • If you want to pay off your mortgage more quickly but avoid being stuck into higher monthly payments with a shorter term, consider making additional principal payments. You may do this in several ways, one of which is by making payments every two weeks, which can result in significant cost reductions for the loan's term.
  • Suppose you are having trouble paying your mortgage because of monetary troubles. In that case, you can work out a loan modification with your lender that reduces your interest rate or lengthens the duration of your loan. If money is tight, you have the option of doing this.
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