Will 40-Year Mortgages Become a Thing? Here’s What Real Estate Experts Say

A global pandemic followed up by a looming recession is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime double whammy that can really rock your financial confidence. Now, as interest rates spike, it raises the question: Could a 40-year mortgage option help solve housing affordability problems and remove some hurdles for first-time buyers?

Back in April, the Federal Housing Administration announced it was making a 40-year loan modification available to homeowners. The Fed’s hope is that by spreading payments out over 480 months instead of 360, existing borrowers have more sustainable monthly mortgage payments, which reduces the likelihood of foreclosures and short sales.