Small Mortgages Are Disappearing, Even as Federal Policy Targets Barriers to Access

Mortgages with principal balances of $100,000 or less are becoming increasingly scarce, limiting financing options for buyers of lower-priced homes, according to a new Realtor.com® report. The report finds that small mortgages represented more than 12% of all home loans originated in 2013 and 2014, but less than 3% in 2025 and 2026.