Is it hard to get a mortgage at 70 years old?

Asked by: Loren Yost MD  |  Last update: October 30, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (44 votes)

At the same time, loan rates increase steadily with age, peaking for new borrowers over the age of 60 and 70. The difference of interest rates is less pronounced, as lenders charge older applicants modestly higher interest rates while they reject older applicants much more often, but both trends are still very real.

Is it hard to get a mortgage at age 70?

Age is not allowed to be a consideration in lending decisions, so there are no special rates for seniors. The mortgage rate you'll get will depend on your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio and the type of loan and term.

Is it wise to buy a house at 70 years old?

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.

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

Can a 70-year-old choose between a 15- and a 30-year mortgage? Absolutely. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act's protections extend to your mortgage term. Mortgage lenders can't deny you a specific loan term on the basis of age.

What percentage of 70 year olds have a mortgage?

Mortgage debt remains uncommon among homeowners age 65-plus relative to their younger counterparts; in fact, the fraction of homeowners age 65-plus who had a mortgage in 2022 (34 percent) was less than half that of homeowners under age 65 (70 percent) 3.

How old is too old for a Mortgage? Can I get a mortgage into retirement?

43 related questions found

Do banks give mortgages to seniors?

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders can't discriminate against applicants because of their age. As a result, seniors — like people in other age groups — can get mortgages if they meet a lender's approval criteria.

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.

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 is the oldest age to get a loan?

While it is not impossible to get a loan over the age of 70, it may be more difficult and there may be less choice. This highlights the need to shop around and find deals from a range of providers – as different lenders will have their own lending criteria.

What type of mortgage is typically offered to seniors?

FHA Loans. Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), FHA loans might work well for seniors with less-than-perfect credit scores. If your credit score is 580 or higher, you may make a 3.5% down payment. With a credit score of 500 to 579, the minimum down payment increases to 10%.

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.

Is it better to buy or rent when you are 80 years old?

Fluctuations in market value, unexpected maintenance expenses, and insurance deductibles can increase ownership costs. Renting offers greater flexibility and liquidity, and you'll spend less money (and time) on maintenance.

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.

Is it too late to buy a house at 70?

If you can afford it and want to buy, age doesn't matter. The bank only cares about your ability to pay, not your age. Plenty of retirees buy homes in their 70s and 80s. Just make sure you have a plan for maintenance and upkeep as you get older.

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.

Which type of mortgage does not require a down payment?

The two main types of loans that don't usually require a down payment are VA loans and USDA loans.

At what age will the bank not give you a mortgage?

You need to be at least 18 years old to take out a residential or buy-to-let mortgage with us, and it must finish before or on your 80th birthday.

What is a lifetime mortgage?

A lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against the value of your home. You retain ownership, can still live in the property, and it doesn't need to be repaid until you die or move into long-term care.

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.

Is 70 too old to get a mortgage?

According to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, lenders are not allowed to discriminate based on age. “It isn't any more difficult or easy for a senior adult to get a mortgage than anyone else,” says Nikki Buckelew, founder and CEO of the Seniors Real Estate Institute in Oklahoma City.

Can a retired person with no income get a mortgage?

Retirement mortgages are home loans for retired borrowers that don't require standard income documents like pay stubs and W-2s. Mortgage companies, however, do follow special guidelines related to retirement income set by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and government-backed loan programs.

Can I get a loan if my only income is social security?

Can You Get a Personal Loan on Social Security? You can take out a personal loan while you're receiving Social Security benefits if a lender is willing to give you one. Lenders will want to know that you have enough income to repay the loan, and Social Security benefits count toward that.

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.

How to buy a house when retired?

It's possible to get a mortgage after you retire. A lot of the qualifications will be the same, including good credit, a steady income and a low debt-to-income ratio. Some qualification processes will look different, though. The biggest difference will be how you prove your income.

Why can't older people get new mortgages?

He said as people get older they generally have less income, mostly because they've stopped working. Linna Zhu at the Urban Institute said that's one of the main reasons seniors are more likely to be denied if they try to refinance or get a new mortgage.