My Interview on NPR: Credit and Refinancing

November 10, 2010 by 3 Comments

If you listen to the soothing voices of NPR in the mornings, you may have heard NPR's Wendy Kaufman's interview discussing the challenges of refinancing with lower credit scores.  I actually meet with Wendy about a week ago in Bellevue so she could interview me for this piece which I'm told will be airing again around 8:50 this morning PST on KPLU (88.5 a.m.).

You can also read the text version which includes a link to the broadcast:  Home Loan Blues: Refinancing Isn't So Easy

Here are some points I'd like to add to the interview:

It is more challenging to refinance (or purchase) in today's market.  Especially if you compare it to the wild subprime era of a few years ago…however the pendulum is still swinging tighter.  Mortgage guidelines absolutely needed to swing back from subprime, however some people may surprised to experience a mortgage transaction today.   The broadcast included a borrower who had to take clear copies of his documents–that would have happened before too assuming his supporting documentation (bank statements) were even required.   Today's underwriter is asking a lot more "why" instead of simply checking off a box that was generated by a streamlined automated underwriting system.  Qualifying for a mortgage is not impossible but you do need to be cooperative and provide what your mortgage professional asks of you…including that last page of your bank statement, even if it's blank.

With regards to credit scoring, we continue to see the minimum allowed credit score being raised.  It used to be that a 700 credit score or higher was considered great.  Now there are three different credit score "brackets" with conforming mortgages if your score is in the 700 range.   With higher loan to value loans, like FHA, many lenders are requiring a mid-score of 640 or higher (some lenders may go lower but I expect their credit score standards to increase too at a higher rate).

There are programs available for refinancing your home if you have lost equity and/or have a lower credit score.  If home owners currently have an FHA mortgage or conforming mortgage that qualifies for a Home Affordable Refi, they may still be able to take advantage of today's low rates.  If your home is located in Washington state, I'm happy to review your scenario at no obligation to see if refinancing makes sense for you. 

Listen to the NPR interview where I discuss credit scores.

 

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Interviews, Podcasts, Refinance

Does Your Mortgage Originators Credit Score Matter to You?

November 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Would you work with a mortgage originator who has a 620 credit score?   Would you prefer to work with a mortgage originator who has a 720 or higher credit score?   Does how someone manages their credit history important to you if they are providing you advice about credit scoring and/or helping you with one of the largest debts you may have in your lifetime?

Starting November 1, 2010, the NMLS and Washington State DFI will begin pulling credit reports on LICENSED mortgage originators.  This is one of the final "background" checks being performed as required by the SAFE Act.  If a mortgage originator works for a depository bank (like Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Washington Federal, etc.) or any credit union, they will not have their credit pulled and reported to DFI.

I'm not aware of what the "magic number" is that DFI will use for weeding out mortgage originators with lower scores.  I believe they're looking more at credit history than the actual score…but I don't know for sure.  

What I do know is that mortgage originators who are licensed are held to higher standards per the SAFE Act than mortgage originators who are merely registered.   If you're curious about whether or not your mortgage professional is registered (bank/union union LO's) or licensed, you can visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Legislation

What should I do about my credit score, if anything?

September 2, 2010 by Leave a Comment

I was asked this question via a friend on Facebook:

I had a 785 mid score, with 3 open trade lines (all at less than 30%) until the bank dropped my credit limit to the exact dollar amount of my balances. Now I'm down in the 714 range. I'm now considered a low-mid risk…hmmmmmmmmmpppphhhh! Only way out I can see is paying off Visa.

On the flip side, I don't need my credit score now…don't need a mortgage re-fi, and already have all the insurance I need.

It's pretty stinky when banks reduce your total available credit because the side effect is, your credit is dinged.  What the bank has effectively done is make it appear as though you're a credit user who has maxxed out their credit cards to their limit!  I'd probably contact the bank manager to express you disappointment (to put it mildly) and to see if they will correct this and to learn why they did this.

Credit scoring modules reward borrowers who use 30% or less of their available credit line.  Borrowers who use less 50% or less of their available credit also receive favorable scores.   Borrowers are also being whammo'd by banks when they reduce their home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) if it increases their loan to value over 50%.

If this person was interested in improving their credit score, their goal could be to work on getting each credit card paid down to 50% of the new credit line limit.  I would start with the smallest debt first as the credit scoring system doesn't distinguish between a $5,000 credit card limit or $500 credit card limit.  If this borrower has a $500 limit and they pay it down to $250, it should have the same impact as paying the $5,000 down to $2,500.  Once one card is paid down to 50% of the new limit, continue to make minimum monthly payments and move on to the next lowest credit line limit and repeat until all of your credit cards are under 50% of the available credit line.  The next level of improvement would be to pay your credit cards down to 30% of your credit line limit; so if your lowest credit card line is $500 and you've been maintaining a $250 balance, the next target would be 30% of the credit line or $150 (500 x 30%).

I do not recommend paying off credit cards completely and closing if they're older as the credit scoring modules love established credit with a good history.  You can use your cards to fill your gas tank or buy groceries and paying it off monthly.

Of course, if you don't really care what your credit score is currently because you're not planning on making purchases that will require your credit score, you don't have to do anything.  However, I think it's best to try to have a credit score of 740 or higher as so many things in our lives are priced based on our credit scores. 

Related posts you might find interesting:

New Credit Card Regulations and Games Creditors Play

Overdraft Protection and Your Credit Score

The Fed is Getting Tougher on Credit Card Companies

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting

Is 714 a Good Credit Score for Buying a House?

September 1, 2010 by 2 Comments

This is a term someone entered into a search engine, like Google, who wound up on my blog.  “Is 714 a Good Credit Score for Buying a House?” is a fair question.  Just a couple years ago, having clients with credit scores 700 or higher was considered “excellent”.  In fact, previously credit scores of 680 or higher were considered good. Now with conventional loans, we have several brackets based on credit scores and loan to value.  Many lenders are adopting this with FHA loans too.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Residential Purchase Tagged With: , ,

LQI: The Potential Kiss of Death for On-Time Closings

August 11, 2010 by 1 Comment

Potterybarn If you're planning on getting a mortgage to purchase a home or for a refinance, please do not obtain ANY credit, increase your credit debts (use your credit accounts) or please don't even THINK of applying for new credit until your new mortgage loan has funded and closed.   Why hold off on shopping for your new fridge or washer and dryer that you're going to need or that new sofa from Pottery Barn?   Because it could delay your funding (i.e. closing) or worse–it could disqualify you for your loan (kill your deal) right when you're expecting your transaction to close!

Fannie Mae has created Loan Quality Initiative (LQI).  According to Fannie Mae, LQI is intended to prevent mortgage lenders from having to buy-back mortgages by increasing the quality of the loan that is being sold to Fannie Mae.   LQI addresses more than undisclosed debts on the loan application, including occupancy and borrower identification issues.  However in my opinion, the re-verification of credit prior to funding has the potential to impact a transaction more often.

LQI requires that if new debt is discovered when the credit is reviewed, that it be disclosed on the final application.  New debt is not limited to a new credit card you used to purchase appliances, it could be that you made a charge on an existing credit card that increased your monthly payment.   Maybe you simply filled up your gas tank at $3.00 a gallon…this could possibly trigger a delay in a transaction closing if the borrower has higher debt-to-income ratios or average credit scores.  If new debt or inquires are discovered just prior to funding, the loan may have to be sent to underwriting again to include the new debts payments. 

Most lenders are doing "soft pulls" on the credit (without the credit score) also referred to as a credit "refresh".   However, if new debt is discovered and the loan is sent back to underwriting, a new full credit report may be pulled.   If the borrowers mid-credit scores have dropped, this may impact qualifying and possibly the interest rate since conforming rates are based on credit scores.  Not so refreshing, is it?

So if you are considering buying a home or refinancing, please do not:

  • apply for any credit or loans after you've completed a loan application;
  • use your credit cards during the transaction (increasing your borrowed amount on your credit line);
  • pay off or close any debts during your transaction without first speaking to your mortgage originator (this can actually drop your credit score).

As tempting as it might be to purchase your fridge (or what ever) so it's ready for your new home when you move in–please don't!!  It may cause a delay in your closing or cost your mortgage approval and at this point in the transaction, your financing contingency is most likely waived! 

I understand Fannie Mae wanting higher quality loans and that the loan application should reflect the borrower.   However everyone knows that the day after closing, the new home owner is probably going to purchase some new appliances and maybe make a trip or two to Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware.  This is a classic example of how the underwriting pendulum is swinging too far.  I can tell you that my typical client today is more qualified than those of the subprime era, our current guidelines alone (pre-LQI) have done this.  NOTE:  Please be responsible whenever using credit…especially after just taking on the largest debts you may have in your lifetime: a mortgage.

PS:  Real Estate Agents:  please be sure to make your buyers aware of this newer policy.

Photo credit: Rob Young via Flickr

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Underwriting and Qualifying

Why It Pays to Get Preapproved Early: You May Think You Know Your Credit Score

April 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

I recently met with a couple who had relocated to the Seattle area and were ready to make an offer on a home.  They’re very qualified with their income stability and enough savings to put a twenty percent down payment on their next home.  What surprised them was the credit report.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Refinance, Residential Purchase Tagged With: ,

More Changes Coming to FHA Insured Mortgages

March 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Federal Housing Commissioner David Stevens has released a letter confirming that the upfront mortgage insurance premiums on FHA insured loans will increase effective on case numbers issued on April 5, 2010 and after.  Most FHA transactions will see an increase of 50 basis points to 2.25%.  Currently the upfront mortgage insurance premium (which is typically financed–added to the loan) is 1.75% of the loan amount.  This was issued in a Mortgagee Letter in late January and is "old news". 

His letter also provides notice that other changes that were discussed by HUD earlier (but not included in that mortgagee letter) will be posted in the Federal Register soon and will go into effect this summer.

What will impact most FHA borrowers this summer is the decrease in allowed seller concessions.   Currently FHA allows sellers to pay up to 6% of the sales price towards allowable closing costs.  In a few months, this will be reduced to 3%.  

Also this summer, FHA will require borrowers with a credit score of less than 580 to have a 10% down payment.  Most lenders, including Mortgage Master, have a minimum credit score of 620 currently for FHA loans.

Commissioner Stevens also addresses a recent announcement:

FHA has waived the regulation that prohibits the use of FHA financing to purchase properties that are being resold within 90 days of previous acquisition.  The waiver of regulation took effect for all sales contracts executed on or after February 1, 2010.

A Mortgagee Letter which will have more details, will follow and there are certain conditions that must be met for a property to be eligible for the property waiver.

As you can see, mortgage guidelines are still very much in a tightening mode.  It's hard to say just how long this trend will continue or how long it will last.

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, FHA, Underwriting and Qualifying

The Fed is Getting Tougher on Credit Card Companies

January 15, 2010 by 2 Comments

In a press release earlier this week, the Fed announced they have approved the final rule amending Reg Z regarding credit cards which will go into effect on February 22, 2010.   The new rules set tougher guidelines on credit cards, especially with regards to protecting consumers against rate changes and how they are billed.  

No interest rate increases for the first twelve months.  There are some exceptions such as if you have a variable rate tied to an index; if your rate is an introductory rate (which in that case, your rate must be fixed for a minimum of 6 months); and if you're more than 60 days late on your bill.

Increases to your interest rate can only be applied to your new balance.  Your old balance will keep the lower rate.

Payments will be applied towards the highest interest rates first when you pay more than the minimum payment.  (Some exceptions may apply).

Statements must be mailed or delivered at least 21 days before your payment is due.  Your due date should always be the same day of the month unless it falls on a weekend, in which case your due date will be the following business day.

Charges you make "over the limit" may be restricted (not allowed) unless you give your credit card company permission.

If you're under 21, you may need a cosigner such as a parent, to obtain a credit card.  Guess those credit card companies will have to stop preying on college students unless Mom or Dad agree to cosign.

No two-cycle (double-cycle) billing.  According to the FOMC's site "credit card companies can only impose interest charges on balances in the current billing cycle.

When your rate or fees are going to change, you must be notified 45 days priorto the change taking place.  You will have the option to refuse the change, however this probably means that your canceling your account.  If you do refuse the change, and your account is canceled, the creditor can impose higher payments by requiring to pay off your account in five years.  NOTE: Canceling your account may be damaging to your credit scores.  Should you get a notice that your rate or terms are changing and you don't agree with it, you are probably better off (as far as your credit score is concerned) paying off the card by applying more principal than canceling it with the creditor.

New monthly statements will show you how long it will take you to pay off your credit card making minimum monthly payments as well as what your monthly payment would need to be if you wanted to pay off your card in three years.

I applaud the new credit card rules.  Since their not going into effect until February 22, 2010 you may want to keep an eye on your interest rates…with just over a month before they take place, sly credit card companies may try to sneak a few changes in before things get tougher. 

Filed Under: Credit Scores and Reporting, Debt Restructuring, The Fed - FOMC
« Previous Page
Next Page »