The report says that many of the recent homebuyers purchased at rates between 6% to 7%, never expecting that payment to be permanent. Get these articles in your inbox Sign up for our daily newsletter Newsletter Signup - Single Field Mobile Email * Sign up If you are human, leave this field blank. Δ Get these articles in your inbox Sign up for our daily newsletter Newsletter Signup - Single Field Email * Sign up If you are human, leave this field blank. Job loss or a reduction in income would put mortgage payments at serious risk for 67%, and half said their mortgage would become unsustainable without a lower rate. In the meantime, buyers are “making financial concessions and reshaping everyday budgeting decisions to maintain their monthly mortgage payments” by reducing things like travel and dining out.