Fannie Mae updates underwriting guidelines at the end of this month

Effective July 29, 2017, Fannie Mae will release DU Version 10.1, packed full to changes to their underwriting guidelines. These changes apply to Fannie Mae conforming mortgages (Freddie Mac has different guidelines). Here are some of updates effective at the end of this month:

50% Debt-to-Income Ratios. [Read more…]

Updates to Fannie Mae Guidelines

Last week, Fannie Mae released Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2017-04 with underwriting updates, including the special pricing for when home owners refinance their home to pay off student loans. Fannie Mae is the Federal National Mortgage Association and basically provides funding for conventional “conforming” loans. [Read more…]

Fannie Mae Changes Reserves Requirements for Multiple Financed Properties

Fannie Mae is requiring additional reserves when a borrower has more than one financed property. The amount of reserves is based on a percentage of the unpaid principal balance (UPB).  Reserves are liquid funds that you have access to.  Reserves are funds you need to have after closing your transaction. Funds for reserves cannot be your funds for down payment or closing cost.

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FHA revises guidelines for calculating student loans

mortgageporter_student_loansTonight HUD announced that they are backing off how they have been treating student loan debts for people who are trying to qualify for a mortgage.

From HUD’s announcement:

“…FHA believes that its approach provides the appropriate balance between expanding access to credit and ensuring that the borrower is able to maintain successful, long-term homeownership.

[Read more…]

Student Loans and Qualifying for a Mortgage

mortgageporter_student_loansEDITORS NOTE 4/13/2016: FHA has revised their calculation requirements for student loans! It is now the greater of the actual payment or 1% of the balance or what is reported on the credit report. 

My son graduated from Seattle University a few months ago and has recently landed his first “real job” in the tech world. I couldn’t be more proud of him!  Many first time home buyers, who have gone to college may be surprised to learn how student loans may impact how much mortgage they qualify for. Different types of mortgages have different guidelines with how they treat student loans and other debts with deferred payments. The guidelines below apply to both home purchases and refinances…and, of course, are subject to change.

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Are you buying a new home? WAIT to buy new furniture!

iStock_000008143756_MediumI have been working with a couple of clients who are buying homes and who’ve recently asked if it’s okay for them to buy furniture before closing on their new home. It must be all the “Fourth of July blow-out” sales going on that’s causing this question to come up recently.

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Fannie Mae no longer requires revolving debts to be closed

MortgageThis week, Fannie Mae issued new underwriting guidelines for conforming loans approved through DU (Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system). One of the new guidelines that is catching a lot of attention is that Fannie Mae will no longer require that revolving debts that are paid off in order to reduce a borrowers debt to income ratios and help them qualify, to also be closed.  The new guidelines will allow a revolving debts that are paid down to zero balance to no longer be factored for qualifying purposes.

If I can help you with your purchase or refi mortgage needs for your home located anywhere in Washington state, please contact me.

 

What are Debt to Income Ratios?

seesawLet’s begin by addressing what a debt to income ratio is.  It’s pretty much like it sounds.  It’s factoring in your monthly payments plus the proposed mortgage payment (PITI = principal, interest, taxes and insurance) and home owners dues, if any.   Your monthly gross income that is used for qualifying is divided into the monthly debt which produces your DTI (debt to income ratio).

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