Most home buyers need a loan to buy a house, which makes access to credit a potentially important factor in the home buying process – even if it isn’t as closely followed as the ups-and-downs of home prices and mortgage rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association follows access to credit, though, and its monthly Mortgage Credit Availability Index gives potential borrowers a look at whether lending standards are loosening or tightening. In September, the index fell 0.5 percent on a scale where any decline indicates standards have tightened. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says economic uncertainty has credit restrained. “Mortgage credit availability tightened slightly in September as lenders remained cautious in this uncertain economic environment,” Kan said. According to Kan, there was a decline in some loan programs for cash-out refinances and jumbo loans but the government index saw an increase due to more VA streamline refinances. (source)