Mortgage insurers are refusing to insure home loans in certain zip codes

If things weren’t bad enough in the mortgage lending industry, it’s getting worse - even for those with good credit.  According to an AP article, mortgage insurers, the companies that insure a mortgage loan in the event that the loan goes into default, have flagged almost a quarter of the nation’s zip codes where they are refusing to insure some home loans.  This is making it more difficult for homebuyers  and people looking to refinance to get mortgage loans - even if they have good credit. 

The mortgage insurers will not insure certain types of home loans, typically those for investment properties or second homes, those with riskier adjustable-rate or interest-only mortgages, or for buyers putting down less than 3 percent of the purchase price.   More than 9600 ZIP codes in at least 34 states have been flagged.  Further, some mortgage insurer’s lists have blacklisted the entire states of California, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio and Nevada, states which have seen the highest foreclosure rates.

What does this mean for the consumer?  Consumers who are purchasing new homes or consumers who want to refinance their homes may have to pay higher down payments and have a higher credit score, along with other additional requirements.