New data released by TransUnion states that, as hiring increases and the housing market continues to improve, more consumers are making mortgage payments a priority once again. An increasing number of homeowners are beginning to pay off their mortgages instead of making large payments on credit cards, showing evidence that more consumers are out of debt. The mortgage delinquency rate fell in December 2013 to 1.71%, and credit card delinquencies fell to 1.83%. Ezra Becker, vice president of research and consulting for TransUnion said. “as unemployment rose and home prices cratered, many borrowers chose to value their credit card relationships above their mortgages.” More here