Articles Tagged With: Credit Requirements

February 2, 2017

FHA Mortgage Facts You Should Know

FHA mortgage loans are a very good option for borrowers looking for a lower down payment and less stringent credit requirements than conventional mortgages. Did you know that FHA home loans do not feature a minimum or maximum income requirement? A borrower’s ability to qualify for an FHA mortgage depends on FICO scores, debt-to-income ratios, credit history, and other factors but there’s no “qualifying dollar amount” for income in terms of minimums OR maximums. Some believe that FHA mortgages are only for first time home buyers, the economically disadvantaged, or only for typical suburban homes. But FHA home loans are available to anyone who is financially qualified and wants to use the property to be purchased as their primary residence. FHA mortgages require only a 3.5% down payment in typical | more...

December 7, 2016

FHA Loan Credit Issues: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

Credit issues-an important area to consider when planning for a new FHA mortgage. One reader asks, “I am in the process of settling with a credit card lender from an account that went bad several years ago. Basically I fell on hard times and stop paying it. I owe about 10k.” “However I with my lawyer they have agreed to accept 3400. My understanding is this will reflect on my credit is that this will report on my credit report as settled for less than full balance. How will this affect my chances of buying a home with an FHA loan? Note this credit card is from about 6 years ago. I have many other credit cards probably 7 or 8 that I have applied for since this default and | more...

April 27, 2016

FHA Loan Rules For Credit Qualifying: Credit Reports For Each Applicant

By Joe Wallace

One of the most common questions about FHA home loans involves who gets their credit reports reviewed in the application process. FHA home loans permit co-signers, co-borrowers, and non-occupying co-borrowers, and with so many options open to the applicant(s), it can be confusing when trying to figure out who will need to furnish what information in order to apply. FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 instruct the lender on who is to have credit reporting data pulled. On page 171 we learn: “The Mortgagee must obtain a credit report for each Borrower who will be obligated on the mortgage Note. The Mortgagee may obtain a joint report for individuals with joint accounts.” But that’s not the only instruction to the lender. We also learn, “The Mortgagee must obtain a credit | more...

July 15, 2015

FHA Home Loans And “Zombie Debt”

By Joe Wallace

Some borrowers who are preparing for an FHA loan application get surprises when they pull their credit reports–the existence of outdated debt information, inaccuracies, and mis-reported collection activity can plague credit reports in some cases. It takes time to undo these things and the borrower must work directly with the credit reporting agency to clear up the problem. And according to a recent headline at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) official site, there may be more of these issues in store for some potential FHA loan applicants. According to Were ordering JP Morgan Chase to refund $50 million and stop collecting on 528,000 accounts, JP Morgan Chase’s sale of credit card accounts to debt buyers resulted in inaccuracies that brought complaints of aggressive, improper, and inaccurate debt collection activity. | more...

July 14, 2015

FHA Loans And Your Credit History: One Important Thing To Remember

By Joe Wallace

Are you planning to apply for an FHA home loan soon? There are many credit issues to consider when planning for your mortgage–avoiding new lines of credit before applying, eliminating lines of credit you no longer need or use, checking your FICO scores, etc. But there’s one easy-to-overlook thing all borrowers should do before applying for a new home loan: Review your payment history on all financial obligations. It is highly recommended that borrowers have 100% on-time payments on all bills 12 months prior to applying for a new home loan. That 12 month payment record will definitely be scrutinized by your lender and it’s a very important factor in loan approval. This is true in all cases, but it’s especially relevant for borrowers who have worries that their FICO | more...

June 17, 2015

Home Loan Disclosure Changes Coming August 1, 2015

By Joe Wallace

On August 1, 2015, new federal laws will require changes to loan information disclosures that are designed to make borrowers more fully informed. The new requirements affect FHA, VA, conventional and any other type of mortgage loan. The new requirements, announced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “…will simplify and improve disclosure forms for mortgage transactions. Consumers currently receive different, but overlapping federal disclosure forms with the terms and costs of mortgage loans.” That overlap proves confusing for borrowers, especially those who have never purchased or refinanced a home loan before. Two new forms replace the set of previously required disclosures. According to CFPB.gov, these new forms are, “the Loan Estimate, given three business days after application, and the Closing Disclosure, given three business days before closing.” CFPB says all | more...

Can I buy a manufactured home with an FHA loan?

June 4, 2015

FHA Loan Credit Score Requirements: A Commonly Asked Question

By Joe Wallace

One common theme we find when fielding some questions about FHA home loans involves FICO score requirements. It’s true that FHA mortgage loan FICO score minimums are often lower than the requirements of some participating FHA lenders, but some borrowers get confused about FHA loan FICO score requirements in general–never mind what minimum number the FHA might accept versus what the lender might accept. One variation on a commonly asked FHA loan question goes something like this: “Does your actual FICO score matter as much as the details of your credit report? It sounds like the number on your FICO score isn’t that crucial compared to your credit history in the last 12 months leading up to the loan.” The idea that your FICO score itself “doesn’t count” as much | more...

May 7, 2015

FHA Loans And The Credit Review

By Joe Wallace

We get many questions about FHA loan applications–questions that involve credit, FICO scores, FHA loan standards, and more. Many borrowers aren’t sure about whether they have FICO scores high enough to qualify for an FHA mortgage, and others may wonder if having a history of late or missed payments could hurt their chances at an FHA home loan. In general, borrowers are encouraged to wait to apply for an FHA mortgage until they have 12 full months of on-time payments on all financial obligations. This brings a potential home loan borrower closer to FHA loan approval; anything less can put your loan application in danger. Why? It’s good to know the FHA stance on these issues, and the FHA loan rulebook does spell out the reason why such a premium | more...

April 2, 2015

Commission Income And FHA Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I made 41000 in 2013 and 65000 in 2014 I am on pace to making over 100000 this year. How will they calculate my income for an FHA loan. I am a saleried and I get commission.” The participating FHA lender is required to calculate the applicant’s income and verify that it is likely to continue–not all income can qualify to be used in figuring out the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio, only “verifiable income”. Commissions can and often are counted as verifiable income for the purpose of FHA loan approval, but that income must meet specific criteria. Borrowers who earn commission must have, in general, been earning the commission for a year or more. The FHA loan rules listed in HUD 4155.1 explain such requirements for verifiable commission | more...

January 24, 2015

FHA Loan Rules for FICO Scores and Applications Post-Bankruptcy

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “What are the credit score and requirements to qualify for a FHA loan? Also, we filed bankruptcy over a year ago, what are the time limits of being discharged before someone can qualify for a FHA loan? Thank you in advance.” FHA loan rules for FICO score minimums are included on the FHA official site at www.FHA.gov. There is a chart there that breaks down the required minimum FICO scores for minimum financing, basic FHA loan program eligibility (with a higher down payment due to lower FICO scores) and cases where the FICO score does not qualify for an FHA home loan. Here is that chart: Note that FHA FICO score requirements are MINIMUMS. The lender may have higher standards. In fact, borrowers may find many lenders | more...