Are older homeowners more likely to be denied a mortgage?

Asked by: Mr. Jason Smitham IV  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (34 votes)

The analysis, which controls for a host of applicant, property, and loan characteristics, finds that rejection rates rise substantially with age. A potential explanation is mortality risk, which increases the likelihood of the loan being paid off early or entering foreclosure.

Is it harder to get a mortgage if you're older?

Are there mortgage age limits? People are often afraid they might not be able to take out a 30 year mortgage at any age, but that is a complete myth! Age is a protected class by the ECOA law. What does that mean? Lenders cannot use age to qualify or disqualify you on a home loan. So, can you be denied a mortgage base.

Can you be denied a mortgage due to age?

Discrimination against credit applicants on the basis of age is prohibited by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. However, while lenders may not consider age per se when qualifying an applicant, they can look at age-related factors such as whether that applicant's income might drop because they are about to retire.

Does your age affect getting a mortgage?

The mortgage application process is typically very similar, regardless of your age. The main difference is that as you reach or approach retirement age, mortgage lenders will want to see pension forecasts to assess your ability to repay your mortgage once your regular income stops.

Can a 65 year old get a 30 year mortgage?

There is no age limit for obtaining a 30-year mortgage, thus allowing older borrowers the opportunity to secure long-term financing for a home. However, it is essential to consider factors such as financial stability, retirement plans and overall health when deciding if this type of mortgage is the right choice.

Home Loan DENIED? Here's What To Do!

26 related questions found

Can lenders discriminate based on age?

Generally, a creditor such as a lender cannot use your age to make credit decisions. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, age can be considered in a valid credit scoring system but it can't disfavor applicants 62 years old or older. However, the scoring system may favor applicants 62 years or older.

Is it wise to buy a house at age 65?

Buying a home after 60 can make sense if you have sufficient monthly income and find an affordable home. In addition, if you're physically capable of maintaining the home or can pay for extra help, homeownership won't become burdensome.

Is it hard to get a mortgage at age 65?

As Federal Reserve economist Natee Amornsiripanitch noted in a recent brief, older mortgage applicants are “significantly” more likely to be rejected for a loan than similarly situated, but younger, borrowers. At the same time, loan rates increase steadily with age, peaking for new borrowers over the age of 60 and 70.

At what age do most pay off mortgage?

Paying off your mortgage can be a game-changer for your financial health and overall peace of mind. Data collected by NASDAQ suggests that while only 28% of homeowners below retirement age have paid off their homes, nearly 63% of those 65+ have done so.

What is the age limit for First Direct mortgage?

you're aged 69 or less at the time of application (applies to all applicants) the mortgage term will end before age 70 or anticipated retirement age, whichever is sooner (applies to all applicants)

How do I get my mortgage denied?

Common reasons mortgage applications are rejected include:
  1. High debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. ...
  2. High loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. ...
  3. Low credit scores. ...
  4. Fluctuations in income and changes to employment status. ...
  5. An increase in interest rates.

At what age should you no longer have a mortgage?

"If you want to find financial freedom, you need to retire all debt — and yes that includes your mortgage," the personal finance author and co-host of ABC's "Shark Tank" tells CNBC Make It. You should aim to have everything paid off, from student loans to credit card debt, by age 45, O'Leary says.

At what age is it hard to get a loan?

Yes, age won't impact whether a lender accepts your application. However, this doesn't mean that being older lacks importance. Think carefully about whether you want to take on debt in this phase of your life.

Can you be denied a mortgage because of age?

Lenders are not allowed to refuse to consider income from your part-time employment, pension, and certain other sources. A lender generally can't deny your loan application or charge you higher interest rates or fees because of your age.

Can seniors on social security get a mortgage?

Yes, there are home loans specifically designed for people on Social Security. These include government-backed options like FHA loan, VA loans and specialized products from private lenders. Reverse mortgages are another option, particularly tailored for seniors.

What percentage of people over 60 have a mortgage?

In 2022, researchers found that just over 40 percent of homeowners older than 64 had a mortgage, a jump from roughly 25 percent a generation ago.

Will a bank give a 70 year old a 30-year mortgage?

The short answer: absolutely! Luckily, whether you're 25 or 70, lenders look only at certain numbers when reviewing a mortgage application. Those numbers aren't age but rather a borrower's income, credit score, assets, and debts.

What percentage of Americans pay off their mortgage?

40% of Americans Pay Off Their House — Are They Doing Better Financially? For most Americans, a home mortgage is the biggest financial obligation they will ever have. A traditional mortgage spans 30 years and is often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, so the interest charges can be enormous.

At what age should you be debt free?

"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.

What is the oldest age you should buy a house?

Age isn't a limiting factor, but your income and mobility may be. If you've built up your savings over the years, you may not want a mortgage, preferring to buy a house outright. How Much Is My House Worth? See your free home value estimate in less than two minutes.

Can I buy a house with social security income?

Borrowers receiving Social Security benefits can use that income to qualify for a mortgage, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Lenders will evaluate your gross Social Security benefit because they use your gross income to qualify you for a loan.

How much of net worth should be in house at age 65?

According to some experts, the optimal range for home-ownership is between 10% and 30% of your net worth. Rental properties and passive income: Rental properties are another common and attractive form of real estate.

What percentage of homeowners are over 65?

U.S. homeownership rate for householders over 65 years old 2011-Q3 2024. The U.S. homeownership rate for householders over 65 years of age fluctuated between 78.8 percent and 80.9 percent since 2011. In the third quarter of 2024, approximately 79 percent of people over 65 years of age inhabited an owner-occupied home.

How do retired people get mortgages?

FHA loans. Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allow retired borrowers to qualify with a credit score as low as 500 and a 10% down payment. For FHA loans with a 580 credit score, the down payment is only 3.5%.

Is it foolish to buy a house right now?

If your credit score is strong, your employment is stable and you have enough savings to cover a down payment and closing costs, buying now might still be a smart move. But if your personal finances are not ideal at the moment, or if home values in your area are on the decline, it might be better to wait.