Determinants and Consequences of Mortgage Default

Abstract:     
We study a unique data set of borrower-level credit information from TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus, which is linked to a database containing detailed information on the borrowers' mortgages. We find that the updated credit score is an important predictor of mortgage default. However, the 6-month change in the credit score also predicts default: A positive change in the credit score significantly reduces the probability of delinquency or foreclosure. Next, we analyze the consequences of default on a borrower's credit score. The credit score drops on average 51 points when a borrower becomes 30-days delinquent on his mortgage, but the effect is much more muted for transitions to more severe delinquency states and even foreclosure.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 40

Keywords: Mortgage default, credit score

working papers series