Borrower-based measures, house prices and household debt

Abstract

This paper quantifies the credit-driven housing demand and the role of macro-prudential Loan-to-Income (LTI) and Loan-to-Value (LTV) limits. Using granular and time-varying changes in borrowing capacity, I estimate how shocks in credit availability feed into credit demand and affect household debt. The findings indicate a robust relationship between debt and borrowing capacity that amplifies throughout a housing boom. The relationship is heterogeneous, as changes in borrowing capacity have larger effects among low-income and first-time buyers and in expensive property markets. If no downpayment is required, tightening the LTV limit may not contain borrowing capacity but still curbs leverage among highly-indebted borrowers.