Non-occupant homeowners differ from owner occupants in that they tend to have lower-risk credit characteristics, such as higher credit scores, but may also have weaker incentives to maintain mortgage payments when housing values fall. During the recent housing boom, the share of mortgage...

This article documents the contributions of non-owner occupants to the demand for housing prior to the housing crisis. In addition, this article observes the post-origination performance of non-owner-occupied mortgages during the crisis. Theory tells us that non-owner occupant homeowners differ...