Yeah, it is silly that they ask for all that stuff when in the worst case they could never get it. My guess is that in the good old days of responsible mortgage lending, one’s retirement account balance showed how “serious” the borrower was. If someone who’s trying to purchase a home doesn’t have anything saved for retirement, they’re probably not very responsible. Of course in the last few years anyone that could fog a mirror could get a loan, but I think we’re heading back to the old standards before much longer.

Also there will be the feeling among borrowers that “my retirement is half what it used to be” which will make them (if they’re responsible anyway) a bit reticent about stretching to purchase a home.