9.8% of mortgage loan applications were denied nationwide in 2018

Most common reasons why:

  • 33% Debt-to-income
  • 23% Credit history and credit score
  • 17% Collateral
  • 13% Incomplete applications

Houston (8.7% denial rate) and San Antonio (8.4%) were ranked seventh and 10th among the top U.S. cities where borrowers are most likely to be denied for a mortgage. Debt-to-income was the most common denial reason in both cities.

Denial rates vary by race and ethnicity.

  • 17.4% Black or African American
  • 14.3% Other minority
  • 13.1% Hispanic white
  • 10.2% Asian
  • 9.8% All applicants
  • 7.9% Non-Hispanic white

Source: LendingTree analysis of 10 million mortgage applications using 2018 home mortgage disclosure act data https://www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-denials-at-cycle-low/