Mortgage delinquencies are rising across the United States, with late-stage defaults – those 90 days or more past due – increasing by 18.6% in December compared to the previous year, according to data released by VantageScore.
The uptick in delinquencies, although still below levels seen during the 2010 financial crisis, is being flagged as a “concerning sign” by industry analysts. Rikard Bandebo, chief strategy officer and chief economist for VantageScore, noted the increase despite overall credit quality remaining stable. As of December, approximately 0.20% of mortgages were more than 90 days delinquent, up from just under 0.17% a year earlier.
The rise in delinquencies is occurring at a faster rate than for other types of consumer credit, including auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans, Bandebo stated. This suggests specific pressures within the housing market are contributing to homeowners falling behind on payments.
Data released by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on February 12, 2026, further confirms the trend, showing a seasonally adjusted mortgage delinquency rate of 4.26% for all one-to-four-unit residential properties in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) tracks mortgages 30-89 days delinquent as an early indicator of market health. Their data, updated through March 2025, shows these early-stage delinquencies are being closely monitored. The CFPB provides interactive charts detailing delinquency rates by state, metro area, and county.
Fannie Mae reported on February 2, 2026, that its guaranty book grew by 1.1% annually, but also noted a marginal increase in its single-family serious delinquency rate, rising one basis point to 0.58%. This suggests even within portfolios demonstrating overall growth, pockets of increased risk are emerging.
Financial advisors are recommending homeowners set aside 1% to 3% of their home’s value annually to cover unexpected maintenance and upkeep costs, as these expenses can contribute to financial strain and potential delinquency.
The FHA continues to publish monthly reports detailing the performance of its single-family forward loan portfolio, with data available back to December 2016. The latest reports are being analyzed for further insights into delinquency trends within FHA-insured loans.
