If you missed my segment on ABC News NOW, I discussed the real reasons that you are unable to qualify for a mortgage.
1. You Can’t Properly Document Income
Explanation: You can have an 800 FICO score and $1 million in the bank, but if your tax records don’t show enough income, most banks will deny your loan.
2. You Lack “Compensating Factors”
Explanation: A compensating factor is a positive trait in your application to offset any negative factors. For instance, having a very big down payment – say 30% – would be a compensating factor to offset the fact that your credit scores are just so-so.
3. You Picked the Wrong Property Type
Explanation: Banks don’t want to touch certain kinds of properties: such as condos, or new construction on multiple units, where not a lot of the inventory has sold.
4. You Were Sandbagged by a Know-Nothing Appraiser
Explanation: Rules governing mortgage appraisals changed in 2009. Now appraisers are randomly selected. Critics say many of them come from out of town and don’t know local home prices/values. If an appraisal comes in too low, a mortgage application could be dead.
5. You Had an Inexperienced Loan Officer or Mortgage Broker
Explanation: Mortgage pros say having an experienced person who can “work the system” for you helps. A lot.
Without a trained pro, borderline applications aren’t likely to pass muster.
6. You Picked the Wrong Bank
Explanation: Many people seeking a mortgage go just to one bank – or to their current bank. Big mistake. Sometimes you need to try multiple banks or give your banker clarity (in the form of an “explanation letter”) about anything that’s “iffy” in your application.
7. You Got Bushwhacked By New Rules
Explanation: Most banks tie their underwriting guidelines to rules set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But federal rules change all the time. Some unsuspecting people, who thought they qualified a month ago, could end up getting rejected if a rule change by Fannie or Freddie winds up impacting borrower’s loans.
Related book: Your First Home
