| Summary: | Residential mortgage loans play an important role in improving living conditions in developed countries. In Latvia, however, residential mortgage volumes have declined throughout the post-crisis year’s and were at the end of 2018 12% below the end 2008 level, while the house price index ca. 25% below pre-crisis level. The main reasons for this are banks credit losses, which resulted in a revision of credit granting standards and a deteriorating in their availability. On the other hand, households have experienced increased uncertainty, both as a result of financial difficulties, experienced during the crisis years and political instability in the post-crisis years. It is therefore essential to identify the true risk drivers and to analyse them. Based on existing researches in other countries, the author has identified several dozen macro-economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, wage growth, housing price index, etc. and micro factors such as the age of the borrower, total debt to income, loan-to-value, etc., have developed univariate and multivariate econometric models and have examined their statistical stability. Consequently, through a consistent application, it is possible to take sound credit decisions, both in banks and by households, and to contribute to the sustainable development of the housing market.
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