Equity With the majority of the country in a declining real estate market the amount of equity you have in your home plays a major factor in your loan qualification. Homes that are similar in size to your home and are in the same vicinity determine the current value of your home. What have the homes that have recently sold in your area gone for? Most homes are losing value due to the rise in the current foreclosure market. If the bank had to foreclose on a property they need to be able to sell it for what the market supports so this is how they value it. (Bank foreclosures are not in the interest of the bank.)
Existing home equity in a refinance or the amount down payment in a purchase is one of the factors that help determine if you qualify for today’s best mortgage rates.
Income “Can they afford the new payment if we give them a loan?” This is the first question the bank is going to ask themselves before they agree to extend you a mortgage. You need to be able to document your current income and your income for the two years prior to show you have a history of sustained or increased income. The banks look at your current debt to judge your ability to handle your loan payment. If your loan is under $417,000 they want to make sure that your income is double your monthly debts. (excluding utilities and other miscellaneous debts that do not get reported to the credit agencies. If your loan amount is over $417,000 the same rules apply but they look to see that your debt is at or below 45% of your income.
Assets A borrower’s liquid assets are also an important factor. The lender wants to make sure that if there was a gap in employment or a salesman had a bad month they will still have the ability to repay there mortgage. The banks look for between 2 and 6 months worth of the equivalent amount of their monthly mortgage payment saved up somewhere that they can access if needed.
Credit Score Your credit score is analyzed from the three major credit reporting agencies. (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian) You are given individual scores from each agency and lenders will use your middle score as a barometer for rating your credit reliability. Most of the best loan options are available for consumers with 720 middle scores and higher. Your credit score is like a life report card that allows companies that extend credit to make sure that the people they are lending money have the willingness and ability to repay them. This reporting/measuring tool becomes very important when a company is determining whether or not to lend you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
These are the main qualifying criteria to for mortgage loans. A great first step when applying for a mortgage is to see how you size up in each of these categories. If you are serious about getting a loan and think one or more of these areas may be in question asking a mortgage professional in the best place to start. Lending experts have the tools and knowledge to help you find a loan that fits your needs. It is our job to analyze your financial situation and work on your behalf to pair you with a bank that will lend to you and give you a loan that benefits your financial future. A home is the largest investment most people make in their entire lives. Make sure you have qualified assistance when making this decision.
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