Homeowners with locked-in low mortgage rates are refusing to tap their record equity through high-rate HELOCs, opting instead for point-of-sale installment loans for necessary renovations. This shift is transforming the home improvement industry, forcing contractors to sell based on predictable monthly payments that fit squeezed household budgets.

The çağdaş American workforce is increasingly composed of freelancers, gig workers and entrepreneurs whose complex incomes don’t fit traditional mortgage underwriting standards. By embracing Non-QM loans, the mortgage industry can bridge this gap, helping responsible borrowers build wealth while tapping into a rapidly expanding market opportunity.