Here at Capital Bank Home Loans we have a new dynamic loan application that we use. Being dynamic means that it can potentially verify your assets and income during the application process, allowing you to avoid having to upload any documents. And of course we all love to avoid paperwork!
When is an approval really an approval? When is an approval only a conditional approval? Below are the different levels of “loan approval” you can get for a mortgage:
1. Pre-Qualification:
This is done before you make an offer on a home. This is only a loan officer analysis, and supporting financial documents are not required. This is a review of the applicant’s income and debts using standard methods of determining housing and debt ratios to indicate the maximum loan amount for which an applicant would qualify, subject to the satisfactory appraisal, further verifications of income, employment and credit history. This is the lowest form of analysis you can have done.
When you’re ready to buy a new home, one of the first things you have to do is take steps to get your financing in place. Mortgage approval is based in part on an automated underwriting process. Unless you plan to pay in cash, you need to secure a mortgage loan. It is beneficial to get a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender before you even make an offer. Having your loan pre-approved can show a seller you are a serious buyer with adequate funds. You can also reduce the risk of the contract falling through.
Lenders typically use one of two underwriting processes for mortgage loans: automated and manual. Understanding the basics of how these types of loan approval work can give you confidence when applying for your mortgage. Read the rest of this entry »
Today’s real estate market can be competitive for everyone, no matter what price point you’re shopping at. That’s why it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the home buying process before you hit the market. Let’s talk about what getting a mortgage pre-approval letter involves, how you can do so, and why it’s a good idea for anyone heading into the market for a new home. Read the rest of this entry »
Homeownership is a major component of the American dream as it provides you with your own piece of property to put down roots and live your life. You might think the process starts when you first go out hunting for houses or condominiums, but it often begins long before the initial meeting with a realtor when you contact a lender for pre-approval. Homes are major purchases, and it’s understandable that you have to meet certain qualifications before the transaction goes through. Here are a few reasons why the seller and realtor might want you to get pre-approved, as well as an overview of the entire process. Read the rest of this entry »
When you’re beginning the home-buying process, figuring out what you need to get your mortgage loan can seem complicated. You may even be tempted to find your dream home first before you apply for a mortgage. However, going through the pre-qualification and pre-approval processes at the start of your search can make the entire experience go more smoothly.
Before you meet with a lender or mortgage broker, you should have a good understanding of how the loan process works and what you’ll need to provide in your application. This guide covers the basics of loan application, qualification, and approval. Read the rest of this entry »
I constantly get questions about whether or not someone who is self-employed needs a minimum of two years of tax returns, or if they can get away with one year of them, when qualifying for a mortgage. I thought I would answer this question and put it to rest. Please realize guidelines can change in the future. As of the date of this blog, the hyperlinks below are guidelines related to the history that self-employed people need, and the number of years of tax returns they need to document their income. Read the rest of this entry »
The mortgage loan limits have been changed for 2017. For Conventional loans the new limits are:
Conforming loans are:
| Units | ||
| 1 | $424,100 | |
| 2 | $543,000 | |
| 3 | $656,350 | |
| 4 | $815,650 |
For Conforming “High Balance” loans in designated high cost areas the new limits are:
| Units | ||
| 1 | $636,150 | |
| 2 | $814,500 | |
| 3 | $984,525 | |
| 4 | $1,223,475 |
Find more details on Conventional loan amounts click here.
Any Conventional loan amount which is higher than the above limits is considered a Jumbo loan (aka non-conforming) and is subject to different underwriting guidelines.
To look up FHA loan limits for your area click here.
To look up VA loan limits for your area click here.
There’s no outsmarting or escaping the mortgage guidelines upheld by underwriters, no matter how much income or assets the buyer has. The purpose of the underwriting process is to check the loan applicant’s credit, financial capacity, and the collateral. The underwriter’s main purpose is to make sure everything in the application meets the loan’s guidelines that you are applying for, whether that be from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA or VA. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXT: Hello. Today I wanted to talk about some guideline changes called TRID, which stands for, TILA RESPA Integrated Disclosures. The feds have mandated these changes and they’ve really slowed down the loan transaction so mortgage consumer has to be careful about Read the rest of this entry »
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