Impacts include delayed home purchases and late or missing mortgage and rent payments
Mortgage brokers are facing a new wave of uncertainty as nearly half of Americans (45%) report they’re now less inclined to make significant purchases, such as buying a home or car, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
This figure has more than doubled since early October, when only 21% expressed similar hesitation, according to a Redfin survey released Friday.
The sharpest increase is among those who feel “much less likely” to proceed with a major purchase, rising from 14% to 28% in just a month. An additional 17% say they’re “a little less likely,” up from 8% previously.
Meanwhile, 51% of Americans said the shutdown hasn’t changed purchase plans, down from 64% in early October.
There had previously been some optimism that the shutdown might end this weekend. However, as of Friday afternoon, no concrete agreement had been made to end the impasse, which set a record for the longest shutdown earlier this week.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier today that “the wheels came off” talks with Democrats. The House of Representatives has been out of session for eight weeks so far.
Ripple effect on purchase timelines
For mortgage professionals, the data signals a growing reluctance among potential buyers. One in five Americans (21%) are now actively delaying major purchases, up from 17% a month ago. Additionally, 15% have canceled plans altogether, more than doubling from 7% in October.
The shutdown’s impact isn’t limited to purchase decisions, with 46% of Americans saying it’s negatively affecting their lives. Of those affected, 16% describe the impact as “major” and 30% as “minor.”
Financial strain is also mounting, with 35% of Americans saying they’re worse off financially because of the shutdown, including 12% who are “much worse” and 24% “a little worse.”
Missed and late payments on the rise
Of 745 survey participants with monthly mortgage or rent obligations, 7% have missed a payment, and 13% have been late in the past three months. If the shutdown continues, 14% anticipate being late and 10% expect to miss a payment in the next quarter.
Among those who have struggled or expect to struggle with payments recently, 32% directly attribute their difficulties to the government shutdown, while another 17% cite it as an indirect cause.
The leading reason for missed or late payments is decreased or delayed income. Emergency expenses, unexpected costs, and increased debt or credit obligations are also significant contributors.
Job security concerns
The employment landscape is adding another layer of complexity for mortgage brokers. Recent layoffs at major employers like Amazon and UPS have left 33% of workers worried about job security. This is slightly up from Redfin’s August survey.
Kimber White of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers highlights growing strain on housing markets as the US government shutdown stalls USDA loans and disrupts flood insurance. He warns extended delays could have lasting financial repercussions.https://t.co/tbW0ZpMC5J
— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) November 5, 2025
Among those expressing concern, tariffs (21%) and government restructuring (20%) are now the top reasons, a shift from August when company performance led the list.
These insights come from a Redfin-commissioned Ipsos survey conducted November 3-4, 2025, sampling 1,005 U.S. adults. The results are compared to surveys conducted at the start of the shutdown in October and a separate job security survey in August.
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