Tag: mortgage approval
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Why Home Purchases Fail to Close (and How to Avert the Snafu)
On closing day, the buyer goes to their agent’s or real estate lawyer’s office, or the office of the settlement agent. The closing agent will give the buyer the papers to sign, one at a time. If you’re a buyer, you’ll be relieved and happy about the ritual. When it’s done, the deed is transferred…
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Want a Condo Deed? Watch for a New Level of Scrutiny on Your Mortgage Application
Ever purchased a condo unit? You may recall the lender checking up on whether the condo association is keeping enough money in reserve, whether anyone might be suing the association over structural issues, and so forth. Cautious lenders scrutinize the desired property as well as the hopeful borrower. Starting this year, this scrutiny is ramping…
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Giving Your Adult Child a Gift of Equity: How It’s Done
With a gift of equity, you can sell a home to a family member for less than it’s worth on the market. The difference between what the buyer pays and the actual market value is the gift. So you, as the seller, make the gift. It’s your call how much equity to give. Then, if…
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“The Lending Environment Shifted Under Their Feet”: War Sidelines Mortgage Seekers
Turmoil in Iran is causing lenders to get stricter with mortgage loan applicants. Now, FICO scores that would normally pass muster are winding up in some lending companies’ rejection piles. The conflict is now widely projected to batter global economies for many months to come. An increasing number of U.S. lenders look at this situation…
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Facing a Troubled Economy—How Race and the Generations Intersect
The housing gap is getting more extreme as time goes on. Which means young people are having a harder time of it. Racial identity continues to be an overlapping factor.
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What’s All the Fuss About Home Buyers Tapping Their Retirement Accounts?
“I’m not a huge fan. Other people like it,” Trump told reporters. The topic? Home buyers raiding their 401(k) savings to come up with down payments. The remark created a stir. A Trump adviser had just appeared on the Fox Business channel, saying that a new federal plan would give people better access to their…
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The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Behind the Scenes When You Acquire a Deed
Getting a deed often depends on a credit report. That’s because credit history is essential to the outcome of a mortgage application. Wrong or breached data can lead to denied loans and other negative effects, like higher mortgage interest rates. There is some good news for an applicant who’s turned down. The applicant must be…
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Can a Criminal Record Stop Someone From Acquiring a Deed?
We begin with the short answer. No. There is no background check when you file a deed with the county recorder’s office. Nor does any government, be it local, state, or federal, put real estate off-limits to people simply on account of prior criminal charges or convictions. Because questions do come up about dealing with…
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Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: No Need for Home Buyers to Walk Away Over These Common Issues
Understandably, house hunters look for “issues” as they search for the right homes. They wait with bated breath to scour the reports from inspectors, appraisers, and title reviewers. Any time a mortgage is involved, a lender requires a title search. Through this process, the deed’s history is traced, to check its integrity. The key question?…
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Buying a Home With Student Loan Debt in 2025
Do you have, or plan to have, student loan debt? Here’s a PSA for you: Yes, you can qualify for a mortgage, if you’ve determined homeownership is for you. More than 40 million people of the United States have student loan debt. And some 17 million of them are in the age category that produces…
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Bought a Home, Got Laid Off: Options for Homeowners Facing Financial Hardship
It’s possible to receive a final approval for your mortgage, make it through closing day, get your deed, and then… get laid off. It’s also possible to have an unexpected employment change before you close. When calamity strikes the innocent borrower, what’s next? What steps are best taken to make the path ahead bearable? Let’s…
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I’m a Senior, Looking for a Mortgage. Will I Be Treated Fairly?
Great question. The first thing to know is that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act is on your side! Under this federal law, lenders may not consider an applicant’s age as a reason to approve or turn down your application. Simply stated, seniors can get mortgages if they demonstrate their ability to make the monthly mortgage…
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All About DTI: How Much Debt Is Too Much If I Want to Buy a Home?
Receiving the deed to a home is a major milestone. Typically, it depends on an earlier milestone: the mortgage approval. Apply for a mortgage, and lenders will consider your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Why the DTI? Essentially, the lender wants to know how much of your earnings you spend, using credit. A low DTI suggests that…
