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.)
To qualify for the current market’s best rates the amount of down payment in a home purchase or the amount existing equity helps determine whether this is available to you.
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 Personal liquid assets are a qualifying factor for a mortgage and also to qualify for the best rates available. If a borrower can afford the loan but has no room for error if something happens in their life that they can not predict such as medical bill or unplanned travel they had not budgeted for they may have to forgo paying their loan to make money available for something else. The mortgage bank will ask that you have between 2 and 6 months worth of mortgage payments saved up that you can access if needed.
Credit Score Good credit score and great rate go hand and hand. The better your score the less risky an investment your loan is to the bank because you have proven across the three major credit reporting agencies (Transunion, Experian, and Equifax) that pay your debts back. If your middle credit score from all three bureaus is 720 or above you qualify for the best rates. You have shown them that not only can you afford your loans but you honor them. This helps you qualify for a lower rate because the bank sees you as a stable investment and can count on making less interest on your loan for a longer period of time rather than charging you more interest so they can capture as much of their money back as possible in the event that you do not pay them back.
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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