If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong. Lenders are making it slightly easier for well-qualified buyers to access financing, which is opening more doors for people ready to make a move. So, if strict requirements were holding you back, this shift could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, without repeating the risky lending practices that led to the housing crash back in 2008. Lenders Are Opening More Doors Banks are offering credit to more people in an effort to boost activity in the housing market, including buyers who have lower credit scores or smaller down payments. And that means more people are getting approved for mortgages. But it doesn’t mean we’re heading for another crash like 2008. Even with the slight easing lately, lending standards today are still much tighter than they were back then. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) has been going up . This index shows how easy or hard it is for people to get a mortgage. When the index rises, it means banks are easing their lending standards. And in May, credit availability hit its highest point in almost three years ( see graph below ): 

Here’s something you need to know. The housing market is getting back to a healthier, more normal place. And even though it may not sound like it, this shift is actually a good thing. It’s what you should expect. It’s just that our expectations have been skewed by the intense seller’s market over the past few years. But what you need to remember is: there’s still plenty of opportunity to be had if you’re thinking about selling – whether that’s next month or next year. You just need to stay up to date on what’s happening in the market, and have a strategy that matches the moment. Here's your update. 1. Inventory’s Up. Buyer Power Is Coming Back. According to the latest data , the number of homes for sale is rising back toward more normal levels (see graph below) :