Can you be denied a mortgage based on age?

Asked by: Earnest Wilkinson  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

If you're over 55 and need a mortgage, the important thing to know is that lenders can't deny you a loan based on your age. When applying for a mortgage, lenders consider a borrower's creditworthiness, and this is where age may come into play. ...

Can you be refused a mortgage because of age?

Mortgage lenders can't deny your application for a loan because of your age. If you can prove that you can afford a monthly mortgage payment and you have a solid credit score, lenders will approve your application.

Can a 70 year old person get a 30 year mortgage?

Can you get a 30–year home loan as a senior? First, if you have the means, no age is too old to buy or refinance a house. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from blocking or discouraging anyone from a mortgage based on age.

When can a mortgage lenders discriminate based on age?

The scoring system may favor applicants 62 years or older. In addition, a lender or broker may relate your age to other information about you that the lender or broker considers in evaluating creditworthiness.

Do mortgage lenders consider age?

As long as you are 18 or older, your age won't lower your chances of qualifying for a mortgage loan. Mortgage lenders are not allowed to use age as a reason to deny your request for a mortgage loan, whether you are 60, 70, 80 or 90.

How old is too old for a mortgage? | Mortgage Advice

29 related questions found

At what age is it too late to purchase a home?

There's no age that's considered too old to buy a house. However, there are different considerations to make when buying a house near or in retirement.

Can seniors get a line of credit?

Seniors mainly borrow via credit lines, which are particularly vulnerable to rising rates. ... Interest rates on HELOCs are low compared with loans and unsecured credit lines, and they offer the option of making interest-only payments every month. You can carry the principal indefinitely.

Can I get a home loan at 55 years old?

50 years old: Most lenders will allow you to borrow but some may decline your application due to your age. 55 years old: Almost all lenders will require a written exit strategy, evidence of your superannuation and other assets that can be sold to repay the proposed debt.

Can I get a 30 year mortgage at age 53?

The reason you're never too old to get a mortgage is that it's illegal for lenders to discriminate on the basis of age. ... That's because no matter how old or young you are, you still have to be able to prove to your lender that you have the financial means to make your mortgage payments.

Can I get a mortgage at age 75?

Affordability rules and older borrowing

This may not always be possible or work for everyone however and some lenders compounded this by setting max age limits for mortgages to be paid back by. Typically, these age limits are 70 or 75 and left many older borrowers with few options.

How does a retiree qualify for a mortgage?

Most lenders consider pension, Social Security and investment income as your regular income. You may also be able to include your annuity, survivor or spousal benefits and retirement account income as long as you can prove it'll continue for at least 3 years. Your assets can contribute to your ability to get a loan.

Can you get a mortgage after age 65?

Taking out a mortgage past the age of 65 is possible if you know about all your options. ... Whether you're looking to move closer to your children or want more freedom to make home improvements in your own space without restrictions, taking out a mortgage during retirement has many upsides that you can take advantage of.

Can a retired person get a FHA loan?

FHA loans. Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allow retired borrowers to qualify with credit scores as low as 500 and 10% down payments. With a 580 credit score, the down payment is only 3.5%. However, FHA mortgage insurance is a required expense regardless of your down payment.

Is 50 too old to buy a house?

If you're in your 50s, it's not too late to buy a new home, but it's key to ask the right questions and make the wisest decisions possible. Above all, make sure you won't be stuck making mortgage payments years after retirement.

What are acceptable factors for rejecting a loan?

The most common reasons for rejection include a low credit score or bad credit history, a high debt-to-income ratio, unstable employment history, too low of income for the desired loan amount, or missing important information or paperwork within your application.

Is it smart to pay your house off?

Paying off your mortgage early frees up that future money for other uses. While it's true you may lose the tax deduction on mortgage interest, you may still save a considerable amount on servicing the debt.

What is the best age to buy a house?

Key Takeaways
  • The median age for first-time homebuyers in 2017 was 32, according to the National Association of Realtors. ...
  • The best age to buy is when you can comfortably afford the payments, tackle any unexpected repairs, and live in the home long enough to cover the costs of buying and selling a home.

Can I get a mortgage at the age of 56?

It may not be possible to get a mortgage at any age, because lenders often impose upper age limits on each mortgage. ... The reality of this is that if you're 50 and planning to retire at 60, you may struggle to get a mortgage. And if you do secure a mortgage, you may have to repay it before your 70th birthday.

Can you get a mortgage when you are 60?

You can get a mortgage at 60 but you might need a shorter mortgage term. You'll also need to show you can afford the mortgage into retirement. It can be harder to get a mortgage when you're 60 or over. This is because your income is likely to drop when you retire.

Can senior citizens get loans?

No matter the reason, senior citizens are more than able to qualify for a mortgage. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), elderly people are protected against discrimination from getting a home loan or any kind of credit based on their age.

Does having an unused line of credit affect mortgage approval?

The amount of unused credit is never mentioned nor a concern. Only current debts and the ability to service those and your housing costs are used in the equation for debt servicing, at least for mortgage financing. While it may have an affect on your credit score, it is not a factor in deciding mortgage approvals.

How much equity can you borrow from your house?

Depending on your financial history, lenders generally want to see an LTV of 80% or less, which means your home equity is 20% or more. In most cases, you can borrow up to 80% of your home's value in total. So you may need more than 20% equity to take advantage of a home equity loan.

Is 70 too old to buy a house?

If you're 65, you're not too old to buy a house — provided that you have the finances to make a down payment, cover your monthly mortgage payments, and keep up with expenses like maintenance and property taxes.

Is 58 too old to buy a house?

In my professional opinion, it's never too late to buy a home as long as you can afford the mortgage. ... So even at the age of 58, having a 15 or sometimes 30 year mortgage is not out of the question for many people. Also, owning a home has many advantages that add value to your financial and personal life.

Can a person on Social Security buy a house?

Social Security does not prohibit an individual from using their disability benefits to buy a house. ... SSI disability beneficiaries can own the home and land they live on, but other property will be counted as an asset. And to receive SSI, you can't have over $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 if you're married).