Important Facts You Should Know About Lending

1. If I put down a certain amount of money on a house, I won’t need to show any income in order to qualify for a mortgage. FALSE

In the state of Pennsylvania, in March 2011, the governor of Pennsylvania outlawed “no income or stated income loans.” All mortgages in the state of Pennsylvania require income verification going back 24 months.

2. If I put down 30% or 40%, my credit score and credit history do not matter. FALSE

Although the interest rate will not increase if a down payment of 40% or more is provided, an underwriter for a lending institution will still scrutinize the payment history and usage of credit in determining a borrower’s ability to pay a mortgage.

3. It only takes two months to establish credit. FALSE

If alternative sources of credit are not used in determining a borrower’s ability to repay a debt, it takes seven months on a credit card or any other type of installment debt that is newly established, to create a score on our credit bureau system. It may show a payment history but not enough to generate a score.

4. Is it true that no credit is better than bad credit? FALSE

It is required to have a credit score in order to purchase a house and obtain a mortgage. There are some exceptions where they will allow alternative sources of credit such as rental references, utilities and cell phone bills to determine a borrower’s willingness to repay a loan. If not, a buyer must show a positive history.

5. Shouldn’t I charge up the new card and pay it off to show a good credit history? FALSE

When we pull credit reports, we see the final balance on the last billing cycle. If you charge it up and pay it off, all we see is the card appears maxed out. This brings the scores down. The proper way to get the highest score possible is to use the card for a small item once per month. This shows minimal use of consumer debt, which brings the scores higher.

6. Is my Credit Karma score the same as the one you pull? SOMETIMES

What most people don’t realize is that Credit Karma shows consumers what their score will be when they are applying for credit cards.  That system shows a different algorithm which is used in determining a borrowers credit profile.  Most consumers don’t have access to the same scoring system used for mortgages. It doesn’t mean that we lowered your score when running your credit, it just means that the scores aren’t the same in the two systems.

Ask the “Mortgage Man”

Grant Money for First Time Home Buyers!

Is it possible to have another incentive better than what is currently available? We have a program called the First Front Door. This grant is offered to first time home buyers ( buyers who haven’t owned a home in the past 3 years), under certain income limits, to be used to enhance their down payment. For every $1 down payment paid by the buyers, this program offers an additional grant of $3 to a maximum grant of $5,000. This may or may not have to be paid back. There are certain income limits and restrictions, but you don’t have to pay anything back if the property is occupied for the first 5 years of ownership. It is a nice way to minimize the savings required to buy a home.

In addition to this grant, the normal incentives of seller assist can be applied to the closing costs, making this program affordable to may different first time home buyers. The grant funds are limited and are given on a first come first serve basis, until the funds are depleted. They anticipate that they will be exhausted sometime in April.

It is a great program for anyone that needs that extra cash, especially on properties that won’t meet USDA or FHA property requirements. Perhaps the well and septic don’t meet the minimum property requirements, or repairs necessary to pass the property for FHA/USDA financing. This is a fantastic alternative while monies last.

Andy Williams

President

(484)-695-5972

NMLS #118317