Unlocking Opportunities: Lower Mortgage Rejection Rates Point to a Brighter Real Estate Horizon

Lisa Mailhot  |  November 21, 2023

Buyers

Unlocking Opportunities: Lower Mortgage Rejection Rates Point to a Brighter Real Estate Horizon

 

Are you thinking about buying or selling a home? The latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York suggests that now might be the perfect time to make your move. Mortgage rejection rates are down year-over-year, and this is great news for both buyers and sellers in the real estate market.

Improving Creditworthiness

One of the key reasons behind the decline in rejection rates is the higher creditworthiness among consumers applying for new mortgages in 2023. This means that a smaller group of mortgage applicants is meeting the criteria for approval, which is excellent news if you're looking to secure a mortgage for your dream home.

Application Rates

Not only are rejection rates down, but application rates have also seen notable changes over the past year. The average application rate for 2023 is 41.2%, which is lower than both the 2022 level of 44.8% and the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 45.8%. This suggests that while there are fewer applications, those who do apply have a better chance of success.

 

Mortgage Loan Applications

Mortgage loan application rates have also experienced a significant shift. In October, they declined to 4.3% from 6.7% compared to one year earlier. The 2023 average rate of 5.7% is 1.5 percentage points lower than in 2022 and 2.2 percentage points below the 2019 average. This trend indicates a more favorable environment for potential homebuyers.

Refinancing Opportunities

If you're a homeowner considering refinancing, there's good news for you as well. Application rates for mortgage refinancing declined further during 2023, reaching 3.3% in October from 8.9% in the previous year. While these levels are below pre-pandemic levels, they still represent an attractive opportunity for those looking to refinance their mortgages.

Looking Ahead

The New York Fed's analysis also provides insights into future trends. The average likelihood of applying for a mortgage in the next 12 months decreased slightly to 6.7% from 7.3% in 2022. Meanwhile, the average likelihood of applying for a mortgage refinance reached a new low of 3.5% in October. These numbers suggest that the coming months may still offer favorable conditions for prospective homebuyers and refinancers.

Bottomline

The declining mortgage rejection rates indicate a more favorable real estate landscape. Whether you're a buyer looking to secure a mortgage or a homeowner considering refinancing, these trends could work in your favor. Stay tuned to our blog for more insights into the ever-evolving real estate market.

 

Reference: NY FED: MORTGAGE REJECTION RATES DOWN YEAR-OVER-YEAR 

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Orange County Buyers Gain Momentum as Pending Home Sales Rise

Pending home sales are climbing for the second month in a row, while mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level in 10 months. More affordable listings are hitti… Read more

Why New Homes Are Losing Ground to Resales

New-home sales slowed in July 2025 as affordability challenges weighed heavily on buyers, despite builder incentives and discounts. With prices dropping below existing… Read more

Job Security Anxiety Puts the Brakes on Homebuying

Nearly half of U.S. workers are reconsidering big financial moves like purchasing a home because of concerns over job stability, according to a new Redfin survey. Whil… Read more

July 2025 Housing Report Shows Growth in Southern Home Construction While Other Regions Experience Declines

July 2025 housing starts data shows single-family construction climbing in the South while slowing in other parts of the country. For Orange County buyers and sellers,… Read more

Permits for Apartments Drop 23% Will Rents Start Climbing?

Apartment-building permits slowed across the U.S. this past year, signaling tighter future rental supply even as demand firms back up. Here’s what the national trend—a… Read more

Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 4-Month Low — Opportunity Knocks for Orange County

Mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest point since April, creating new opportunities for buyers and shifting the negotiating landscape for sellers. This drop could… Read more

Renting a House or Apartment? Here's What You're Really Paying For

Renting a home comes with more than just monthly rent. Hidden costs like utilities, insurance, and maintenance can vary significantly between houses and apartments. Le… Read more

Mortgage Rates Hit 10-Month Low, Boosting Buyer Budgets

Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest point in nearly a year, giving homebuyers more room in their budgets and creating fresh opportunities for sellers. Discover … Read more

Home Prices Drop in 14 U.S. Metros

Discover the latest housing market trends, including significant home price drops in major U.S. metros like West Palm Beach and Austin. Learn what these changes mean f… Read more

We are excited to assist you in finding your perfect home

Let's find a time that suits you best to chat about your goals, show you how we work, and figure out how we can help you the most