In this study, we develop and test a methodology to assess the impact of affordable lending efforts on homeownership rates. More narrowly, we examine the impact of using flexible underwriting guidelines, primarily changes in the downpayment and housing burden requirements, on the affordability...

This paper examines economic indicators to show how the role of the real estate industry in the economy has evolved over time. This examination spans the early 1980s through 1999. Our key conclusion includes the followings. In terms of economic flows real estate is as important a part of the...

Models of household choice of conventional and FHA financing typically use differential insurance premiums, loan to value and payment to income underwriting standards, and local economic conditions to explain household behavior. The credit history of the borrower has not been included in these...