Reader question: What can we do during the waiting period?

MortgagePorterHourGlassHouseIf you’ve had a bankruptcy, short sale or foreclosure, there is a waiting period that must take place before you can start the mortgage process. Wait periods vary depending on the type of derogatory event and the mortgage program. This reader’s excellent question is from an article I recently wrote about FHA’s “Back to Work” program.

We will reach our 1 year mark on January 30. Can we do anything before then to get the process started or do we have to wait until January 31?

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FHA “Back to Work” is available at Mortgage Master Service Corporation

I’m pleased to inform you that I just received a memo from our management stating that we are accepting HUD”s guidelines for the “Back to Work” program.

HUD’s “Back to Work” guidelines allow people who had a foreclosure, short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure because of a significant loss of income and/or employment during the recession, to buy a home again quicker than the standard wait period of three years (for FHA).

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FHA unveils “Back to Work” Guidelines for those who had a Short Sale or Foreclosure

UPDATE Sept 9, 2013: I just received a memo from our management and we are doing FHA’s “Back to Work” program for home buyers who meet the criteria.

HUD released Mortgagee Letter 2013-26, also referred to as “Back to Work” featuring enhanced guidelines for home owners who lost their homes via short sale or foreclosure due to financial difficulties. “Back to Work” shortens the required wait periods for borrowers wanting to buy a home again.  From ML 2013-26:

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One month left before FHA mortgage insurance is permanent…SO WHAT??

Borrowers not wanting to have FHA mortgage insurance as part of their mortgage payment for the life of the loan have about thirty days to take action. This shouldn’t be a reason to panic. 🙂

Effective FHA case numbers issued June 3, 2013 and later, FHA mortgage insurance will become a permanent part of the FHA mortgage payment.

Why do I say “SO WHAT?”

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Buying a Duplex to live in with an FHA mortgage

mortgageporter-seattle-duplex-1One of my favorite blogs to follow, Get Rich Slowly, recently published Reader Stories: I bought a duplex to save money on rent. The author of the post describes how he used an FHA mortgage to buy a duplex and with renting out the unit he was not living in, he wound up paying less for his housing than when he was renting.

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Why you should compare FHA to a Home Advantage Mortgage

If your credit scores are 680 or higher and you’re considering buying a home located anywhere in Washington state using FHA for your mortgage, you may want to consider the Home Advantage Mortgage program.

Home Advantage is a mortgage program created by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Only Loan Officers, like yours truly, who have completed WSHFC training are allowed to offer this program.

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Home Advantage Mortgage with Down Payment Assistance

2013-03-07_0746Home Advantage is a program that is offered through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.  Home Advantage is typically combined with a Home Advantage second mortgage that can finance closing cost and the down payment. Unlike the House Key program (state bond), this program has unlimited funds available for qualified Washington home buyers.

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More options for Washington home buyers

Yesterday I was “in class” at the Washington State Housing Finance Commission learning about programs they have to offer Washington home buyers, including down payment assistance programs.

In order to obtain the down payment assistance, you must use a WSHFC first mortgage product, which includes:

The first mortgages may be FHA, USDA, VA or conventional mortgages with private mortgage insurance.

The down payment assistance (DPA) is in the form of a second mortgage that have specific criteria home buyers must meet to qualify.

  • Home Advantage DPA has an income limit of $97,000 and does not have a “needs assessment”.
  • Commissioned Second Mortgage works with the House Key Opportunity and is available to home buyers with special needs.

Home buyers interested in either program must attend a 5 hour class in order to qualify for these programs. While at class yesterday, I also received training to be a “Commission trained instructor”.

Watch for more details to follow soon!