Although recent indicators that the housing market is improving, a new report shows that one in four mortgage borrowers are underwater, meaning they owe more on their mortgage than their home currently is worth. According to First American CoreLogic, nearly 10.7 million households had negative equity in their homes in the third quarter, accounting for about 23 percent of all U.S. homeowners. Most homeowners, however, still have equity, and nearly 24 million owner-occupied homes do not have a mortgage, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
A study by credit-scoring company Experian shows that approximately 588,000 borrowers strategically defaulted on their mortgages last year, even though they could afford to pay—more than double the number in 2007. Homeowners with negative equity are more likely to strategically default if they live in a state where the bank cannot pursue their assets in court, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. California is an example of a state with anti-deficiency laws protecting homeowners from personal liability under certain circumstances.
“Borrowers who are less than 20 percent underwater are likely to maintain their mortgage if their loan is modified and the payments reduced," said an official with Citigroup’s mortgage unit. “Beyond 120 percent, the most effective modification is a complete loan restructuring, including a principal reduction.”
A study by credit-scoring company Experian shows that approximately 588,000 borrowers strategically defaulted on their mortgages last year, even though they could afford to pay—more than double the number in 2007. Homeowners with negative equity are more likely to strategically default if they live in a state where the bank cannot pursue their assets in court, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. California is an example of a state with anti-deficiency laws protecting homeowners from personal liability under certain circumstances.
“Borrowers who are less than 20 percent underwater are likely to maintain their mortgage if their loan is modified and the payments reduced," said an official with Citigroup’s mortgage unit. “Beyond 120 percent, the most effective modification is a complete loan restructuring, including a principal reduction.”
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