Are mortgage rejections common?

Asked by: Prof. Tomas Prohaska V  |  Last update: October 9, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (40 votes)

In its annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the industry group found that 4% of successful home buyers had a mortgage application rejected by a lender before they went on to secure a mortgage. The report is based on what the borrowers reported as the reasons they were rejected for mortgages.

How common is a declined mortgage?

One in six (16%) mortgage holders have overcome being rejected for a mortgage in the past, highlighting that getting a home loan is not something to be complacent about. Research found that over half (54%) of homeowners who were rejected took longer than three months to be accepted for another mortgage.

How often do people get denied a mortgage?

How often does an underwriter deny a loan? A mortgage underwriter typically denies about 1 in 10 mortgage loan applications. A mortgage loan application can be denied for many reasons, including a borrower's low credit score, recent employment change or high debt-to-income ratio.

How likely is it to get denied during underwriting?

Federal Housing Administration loans: 14.4% denial rate. Jumbo loans: 17.8% denial rate. Conventional conforming loans: 7.6% denial rate. Refinance loans: 24.7% denial rate.

What is the denial rate for mortgages?

In the third quarter of 2023, denial rates were 30 percent for Black applicants, while Hispanic applicants had the second-highest denial rates at 22.1 percent. For all races, the denial rates significantly fluctuated between 2019 and 2023.

Why Your Home Loan Will Get Declined and How to Avoid It

42 related questions found

What is the 50% rule for mortgages?

The 50% rule in real estate says that investors should expect a property's operating expenses to be roughly 50% of its gross income. This is useful for estimating potential cash flow from a rental property, but it's not always foolproof.

Why is it so hard to qualify for a mortgage?

Key Takeaways

Lenders scrutinize employment and your income sources, particularly if you get paid in cash or have a second job. Mortgage lenders also review your credit history, credit score, assets, and debt. Choosing an informed and experienced loan officer is critical in the mortgage approval process.

Will I lose my deposit if I am denied a mortgage?

Can My Security Deposit Be Returned If My Mortgage Is Denied At Closing? If you have a contingency in place that includes an offer and purchase contract, you may be able to get your earnest money back. However, if you don't have it, you could lose it.

Should I be nervous about underwriting?

There's no reason for a borrower to worry or stress during the underwriting process if they get prequalified. They should keep in contact with their lender and try not to make any major changes that could have a negative impact on this critical process.

How often do mortgages fall through during underwriting?

You may be wondering how often underwriters denies loans? According to the mortgage data firm HSH.com, about 8% of mortgage applications are denied, though denial rates vary by location and loan type. For example, FHA loans have different requirements that may make getting the loan easier than other loan types.

What disqualifies a home loan?

High debt-to-income (DTI)

Before approving you for a mortgage, lenders review your monthly income in relation to your monthly debt, or your debt-to-income (DTI). A good rule of thumb: your mortgage payment should not be more than 28% of your monthly gross income. Similarly, your DTI should not be more than 36%.

What not to do during underwriting?

5 Mistakes to Avoid During the Underwriting Process
  • Not responding to emails from the lender. ...
  • Buying an improperly valued home. ...
  • Exceeding loan limitations. ...
  • Lying to your lender. ...
  • Frivolous purchases while your home is pending.

Do underwriters pull credit again?

And of course, they will require a credit check. I am often asked if we pull credit more than once. The answer is yes. Keep in mind that within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders only affects your credit rating as if it were a single pull.

What is the number one reason mortgage applications are denied?

High debt-to-income ratio. According to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, high debt-to-income (DTI) ratios were the number one reason mortgages were denied in 2018, accounting for 37% of all denials. Basically, your DTI consists of how much of your monthly income goes toward paying off any outstanding debt.

What hurts your chances of getting a mortgage?

If you are currently repaying other debts that limit the amount of cash available for future payments, you can get denied even if you have a good credit score. Multiple credit cards with high balances or large loans with more than half the total balance remaining will not help you in your mortgage-seeking endeavors.

How likely is it to be denied a mortgage after pre-approval?

Simply, if you're preapproved for a mortgage there is still a possibility you could be denied after. In fact, approximately 5,741 VA loans were preapproved but not accepted according to 2022 HMDA data. Let's explore more about what it means to be preapproved for a home loan and why you could be denied after.

How stressful is getting a mortgage?

The stress of applying for a mortgage is so intense that a quarter of young buyers admit to comfort eating to cope with the anxiety, a new survey finds today. Applicants also confess to crying more, including at work, and drinking more alcohol as a result of the pressure of trying to land a home loan.

Can a pre-approved loan be denied?

If you apply for a pre-approved offer you'll usually be successful, but it's not guaranteed as the lender always has the final say. There are a few different reasons why your pre-approved offer may be rejected: Delay completing your application (as your circumstances may have changed in the meantime)

Can you be denied on closing day?

If there are any changes to your credit score or employment status, your loan can be denied during the final countdown.

Do mortgages look at your bank account?

Generally, yes. You'll almost certainly be required to submit bank statements to be considered for a mortgage loan — at least one to two months' worth.

Do you get your earnest money back if your offer is rejected?

Denial of a Loan

If a purchase agreement includes a loan financing contingency, and a buyer is denied a loan, they can back out of the transaction and get their earnest money deposit refunded.

At what age is it harder to get a mortgage?

All of this creates an atmosphere of risk around older borrowers. The upshot is that if you're over the age of 62, you're almost 30% more likely to get rejected for a standard mortgage.

How hard is it to get a $30,000 personal loan?

You can get a $30,000 personal loan from banks, credit unions, online lenders and peer-to-peer lenders. Eligibility requirements vary by lender, but for a loan this size, you'll likely need a good credit score and a high enough income to qualify for the best rates. Prequalifying is key to finding the best offer.

What will stop me from getting a mortgage?

Top reasons for a declined mortgage application

your credit history. too much debt. your employment history. you don't earn enough to make repayments.