jazcy asked:


As an experience Loan Officers, what advice can you give to me about your profession? I am very interested in working as a Loan Processor but I am also curious of what “real skills” does it take to work in a Mortgage Loan Office. Whom should you build a close working relationship with? I know the essential people would include a Mortgage Broker license, underwriter, loan consultant, document drawer, etc. but what else is needed besides a large capital.

“real skills” = things that are not included in the job description

Tracy

Chuck Lunsford asked:




For obvious reasons the qualification requirements for a mortgage restructuring are quite different than those for a first time home buyer. The homeowner’s attempt to restructure usually indicates some current, or recent, financial duress on the homeowner’s part, who in all likelihood is trying to save the home and stop foreclosure. Understandably a lender will likely be very strict, even unforgiving, depending on the homeowner’s circumstances.

Similar to a first-time home buyer, a homeowner attempting to restructure has to be able to prove they can in fact afford the new monthly payments. Unlike the first time buyer those attempting to restructure typically experience a harder time proving to the lender that even though they have recently suffered a financial set-back, they are in fact “back in the saddle” and have adequate monthly cash flow to enable them to afford what is likely to be a higher monthly mortgage payment.

It is proving to be a bit more troublesome for those with damaged credit when applying for a mortgage restructuring in recent times. Conventional loans are usually not available in this circumstance, leaving only those loans offering much higher interest rates. The caveat here is that along with the higher interest rates comes a higher monthly payment (unless the homeowner has accumulated a substantial amount of cash to buy points), which may possibly “kill the deal” if the borrower cannot prove conclusively they will be able to afford the new, higher mortgage payments.

Income

Income requirements for restructuring are the same as that for a first time conventional mortgage loan. The maximum amount of income allocated to a mortgage payment cannot exceed 28%. As mentioned previously the difficulty comes with proving to the lender that the monthly income will be sufficient to cover the higher monthly mortgage payment.

A word of caution is in order. As tempting as it may be to inflate your income or downplay your debts and other financial commitments in order to improve your position, it is a fraudulent offence to lie about your income on a mortgage application form.

Employment

Lenders all seem to follow the same guidelines regarding employment. Regardless if the borrower has a job or is self-employed, they still have to provide the following documentation:

For all loans:

o Complete last year and the previous years signed federal tax return forms, and last year and the previous years W2 federal forms.

o Two most current pay stubs within 30 days for each borrower.

o Last three bank statements for all savings and checking accounts.

o Evidence of additional income (rental agreements, child support, alimony, military allowance).

For self-employed borrowers:
o Last year and the previous years signed federal corporate tax returns.

o Last year and the previous years signed federal partnership tax returns.

o Last year and the previous years and current (calendar or business year) year to date (YTD) signed Profit and Loss Financial Statements.

o Current year to date (calendar or business year) signed state tax return forms.

Conclusion

In what was an act of “too little, too late” the government stepped in and began examining some of the questionable lending tactics which started the whole sordid mess. As a consequence lenders have been forced to enact stricter loan requirements and funding obligations to negate the need for government legislation. While this strategy has provided a stop-gap measure to reduce future abuses and irresponsible actions, it offers very help to those borrowers who are struggling to stop foreclosure and keep their homes.

Homeowners and buyers today can expect much more stringent requirements from the lenders. Credit score requirements are becoming increasingly strict. If you’re looking to restructure an existing mortgage, make sure you have money for closing costs and a substantial down payment along with solid documentation of your income. And above all, don’t let the clock run out on your efforts.

Erik

Yinka L asked:


I am trying to refinance my house with Chase Bank, and today I received this good faith estimate in the mail, and with all this number I am not sure if this is what I want to do cost the closing cost is getting high more than what I thought it will be. Also what I currently my debt on this mortgage is 207,000 but with refinancing my debt jump to 215,000 so that I will not have to pay any closing cost out of pocket.

Can someone that no about this help me to check if this estimate is right and clear.

Also I am planning to buy a bigger house for me and my family, do you think it’s worth it to refinance this house or I should put it on sale instead of refinancing. Please any advice is welcome.

Also if I decide to refinance is there any way I can negotiate this estimate, and please kindly outline which one to negotiate. Thanks.

GOOD FAITH SETTLEMENT (Description of Settlement charges)

Loan origination fee $1050.00
Application fee $395.00
Processing fee $300.00
Underwriting fee $295.00
Courier fee $30.00
Flood cert $14
FHA MIP $3,675.00
Hazard Insurance reserve $165.00
County property taxes $918.00
Settlement or closing cost $350.00
Title insurance binder fee $150.00
Recording/filing fee $79.00
City/ county tax stamps $178.21
State Tax Stamps $534.19
9 or 90 (not too clear) days of interim interest $298.80
The current house value is 220,000

Alexander

Thomas Baugh asked:




If you’re looking for a great deal on your mortgage and don’t have a clue what you’re doing, then finding an independent mortgage broker is absolutely essential. They will offer you advice, review the whole market on your behalf and come up with a deal that suits your specific needs.

An independent broker is always best because they aren’t tied to any providers. You’ll see a lot of big name companies claiming they can broker you the best deal on your mortgage but in reality, they only represent a handful of providers. This means that when they look for a mortgage on your behalf, they will only be looking at the range of deals offered by a select number of companies. So if you end up speaking to a mortgage broker make sure you ask them whether they’re tied, multi-tied or independent. The latter is always best.

Some people might say that it’s slightly old fashioned to use a broker to find a deal on your mortgage. With the evolution of the internet, it is easier to review the market yourself to seek out good offers. However, there’s no substitute for getting solid and knowledgeable advice from skilled professionals.

If you do choose to use a broker and are able to find one you believe can help you, make sure you ask up front about their fees. Some will ask you to pay them depending on the number of hours they work on your behalf. Others will get their fee from the mortgage company when they arrange the deal and you agree to it. They get a commission from the mortgage company for setting up the deal which is usually quite substantial depending on the size of the loan you take on. Therefore you should be inquisitive about any additional charges the bring up.

A good independent mortgage broker can be difficult to find so look for recommendations from friends and family. A mortgage is a huge decision for anyone and it deserves some time and effort on your behalf to ensure you get a great deal. If you don’t know your tracker mortgage from your variable rate mortgage then you should invest in the help of an experienced broker.

Tonya

Brian K asked:


Here is the run down; A friend bought a home in 1980 for $45,000, he put $15,000 down. The mortgage was perfect for over two decades, the payment was not even $300 a month. he thought the mortgage would be over in 2010. Within the last 5 years things have made a turn for the worst. His wife has done things to the mortgage and he does not understand what has been done, nor is he being told what has happened. Essentially, the mortgage debt now stands at $73,000 and the past two years has paid very little off the total debt, it seems all that is being paid is interest and a small amount at that. So what has happened, what has she done? What amount likely was taken out in a Equity Loan and was a refinance done? What can I tell him to help him and what can be done. This is in New York State as well.
Not playing dumb, his wife tricked him into believing something else was taking place. His english is not the greatest nor is his understanding of the US ways. His thing is to wake up early go to work, all he knows for the last 35 years.

Jessie

Carrie Reeder asked:




Before attempting to buy a home after foreclosure, it is important to educate yourself on the necessary steps, and improve your odds of getting approved. Certain situations are extremely damaging to your credit report. These include bankruptcy, foreclosure, repossession, etc. Fortunately, you can rise from a bad credit situation. Here are a few tips to help you get approved for a mortgage after a foreclosure.

Negative Effects of a Home Foreclosure

Aside from embarrassment and shame, having a home foreclosure will significantly decrease your credit score. Immediately following a foreclosure, it is difficult to obtain any type of credit, especially a home loan. Because many factors contribute to the inability to repay a mortgage loan, those who experience a foreclosure may be able to afford a new home loan.

For example, if foreclosure was due to loss of employment, once the previous homeowner finds work, they may be able to handle a new mortgage. The problem lies in getting approved. Lenders could careless about the circumstances surrounding bad credit. Their main concern is determining whether you are a good candidate for a loan. Thus, it is essential to improve credit before applying.

Maintain Regular Payments with Existing Creditors

The best approach for improving your credit score following a foreclosure is to keep up with regular payments to your other creditors. For example, if you have three credit cards, make an effort to pay the bills on time. If possible, payoff the credit card balances. This will increase your available credit, which is perfect for quickly boosting credit rating.

If you do not have a credit card, another tactic involves applying for a new line of credit. This might consist of an auto loan or secured credit card. Likewise, maintain on-time payments. Be aware that late payments or skipped payments will cause further damage to your credit rating.

Choose a High Risk Mortgage Lender

If applying for a mortgage after a foreclosure, many traditional lenders will not approve a loan request. For this matter, request quotes from several sub prime or high risk mortgage lenders. These lenders approve loans to people who have a difficult time securing financing.

Jorge

Susan V. Gregory asked:




Confused about whether you can qualify for a Wells Fargo loan modification to lower your mortgage payment?

Eva G asked:


The house is appraising for and selling for approx 185,000 roughly. 30 yr fixed rate mortgage loan at approx 6% apr. The seller will probably agree to paying the closing cost so what or how much do I need out of pocket? the appraisal and home inspection? anything else, roughly how much? Thanks and I am so grateful for your advice.

Juan

John Preest asked:




There are many reasons why one may need professional mortgage advice. For example, you may be a first time home buyer, or you are not familiar with certain mortgage rules and regulations. Speaking with a professional mortgage advisor will help you avoid costly mistakes.

A mortgage is a huge and long term financial commitment. Obviously, being behind in mortgage payments is not exactly fun. In serious cases, the lenders will execute their legal rights and foreclose the property, leaving the owners homeless. Usually, such problems can be avoided with proper financial planning. That is the main reason for consulting a professional mortgage advisor.

Another good reason for engaging a mortgage advisor is because there are too many different types of mortgage loans in the market. This situation arises because different people have different needs. For example, there are first time buyer loans, self employed loans, variable rate loans, bad credit loans and more. A professional advisor will be able to make the proper recommendations to narrow down the scope for you. This is to ensure that you don’t end up with the wrong mortgage type.

In addition, professional advisors will also be on hand to offer you information that would have been difficult to obtain. For instance, you can ask about the maximum loan amount that you qualify for, the deposit required (if any), or whether there are other costs such as stamp duty. Such information will help you come up with better financial plans. Otherwise, you may find yourself coming up short of funds and having your mortgage applications rejected.

Also, since professional mortgage advisors are actively seeking out the right mortgage loans to fill the needs of their customers, they are more likely to be aware of the best deals in town. As they are in a better position to negotiate for competitive rates, you may get to enjoy lower interest rates.

Some buyers tried to apply for mortgage loans on their loan but their applications were rejected for some reason. The most likely reason for rejection is probably bad credit. Therefore, these loans are also commonly known as bad credit loans.

Professional mortgage advisors may be able to help these buyers get their loans approved. This is because there are lenders who specialize in handling bad credit mortgages, and mortgage advisors already have an existing relationship with these lenders. So it is easier for them to get a bad credit mortgage approved.

As the economy rises and falls, some homeowners find that they may not be able to cope. In such times, bad credit mortgage services become extremely useful.

Besides mortgage services, a homeowner may also require additional services such as debt consolidation services. This is another reason why professional mortgage advisors should be hired. They are able to provide comprehensive financial services to alleviate financial burdens.

Finally, when engaging the services of a mortgage advisor, make sure that the advisor is not tied to any lender. If so, the lenders may be paying them commissions to help promote their loans. As a result, they may offer advice that is biased.

Daniel

billyg33176 asked:


Well heres the deal. Im looking at a 195K house. I want to do a 80/10/10 loan. 80% on 30 yr fixed, 10% on 10 year, and 10% cash down which will leave me w/ 175K mortgage. Now the tricky part. Around October 07 I will be getting 60K cash that I want to put towards the mortgage. So doing it this was I will pay off the 10% loan and apply rest towards the 30 yr which would leave me with $115K. Now can I refinance that? If so how long do I have to wait to refinance?1 year? 6 Months? Thanks

Janice

jonathanj003 asked:


I am currently applying for a mortgage and qualify no problem by myself and on my credit for a good sized mortgage with my current financial status. However, I am starting school back this semester and am needing to take out a large student loan (~$15,000). How bad will this effect me getting my mortgage? Student loan payments will be deferred until graduation so there will be no monthly payments for a few years. If I have to do them both (and yes I need to) should I wait until the underwriters approve my mortgage and then continue with my student loan application? I may have to take out my student loan before the mortgage–how would this effect it?

Sorry for so many questions….just looking for some advice.

Elsie

minibikemulisha asked:


I have $15,000 in government student loans at 5.5%. They go back into repayment in 6 months. I’m just entering the work force and I’m thinking about doing a graduated repayment plan, it will rise as I make more and inflation rises. I have $20,000 saved in my bank account from work and saving. One friend of mine told me to use half of the $20,000 towards my loans before I consolidate making my loans at $5000, but that is money that didn’t come very easy for me and not very easy to make back since my income is currently low. Another friend told me to put my loans into repayment and invest my $20,000 I have saved and use my student loan interest tax write off to put towards taxes I have to pay from my investing. Use the money earned to pay my student loan monthly payments. I have no credit card debt, mortgage payments or any other debt besides a small car loan.

Any advice towards this situation would be great. If I should invest I’m open to investment advice, I’m not familiar with investing and I know the stock market is a mess at the moment. Thanks for your time.

Yolanda

MillK J asked:


However, as things have changed the current market forces 1 to seek alternative ways of income. I happened to come across a group of investors who negotiate short sales N buy these properties in distress. They offer a 2% finder’s fee of the settlement price reached through negotiations with the bank on deals up to $500,000 N the percentage changes if the deals are larger. I would like any advice available on a scenario that follows as such:
I am cold calling my mortgage leads, N I come across a client in NY who’s 4 months behind on her mortgage N facing foreclosure. So I get all the client’s information gather his/her documents N take the client to these investors who have the liquid cash N whom would negotiate with the bank for the short sale. Upon reaching a settlement price of lets say $500,000 I receive a check for $10,000.
Now remember I am not a licensed real estate agent. Is this legal in any way?Is there anything I can do to make it an acceptable practice?

Thomas

dan p asked:


am lost and felt like i have been lied too by my mortage company. In 04 we bought a townhome for 174k had 2 loans, 1 for 140k that is a ARM and other for 35k. august of 05 we were approached by Countrywide that has our 1st loan telling us we have a value of 220k and you have about 35k in usable equity. We had about 25k in medical debt for my kids hospital bill. They suggested to roll that in with my 35k second. The selling point was to clear those payments to get ready to refinance my 1st which is a ARM to a fixed plan. Now i am getting these rate hikes now have a 10percent on my first and the payments are killing us. I went to countrywide to refinance, check my credit was 700, my income was fine. Then they send out a apparisal,came in at 185k, countrywide told me i cannot do anything. I hired my own appraiser came up with the samething, but he told me the property should have never been appraised at 220k when i took out the HELOC should have been 183k?
we live in a townhome community so all homes are alike. My appraiser that i hired showed me the sales during that time frame that countrywide showed a value of 220k. All the comparable sales were between 181-186. No other lending company will not help us get out of this 1st loan too. I keep trying to talk to Countrywide i find them rude and unhelpfull

Lydia