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Tough Requirements for Mortgage Loans
from: Mortage & Debt FactsIf you live in California or Florida, it’s is definitely harder to qualify for mortgage loans in these areas than other areas that have been less affected by the housing slump.
The same “no money down deals” that used to be so popular in these states are now gone. In their place, you will find some that houses in these areas will require at least a 10% down payment, if not more. This may seem hugely unfair for some when they realize the same is not true for other areas of the United States where the housing market has not declined as much. In those areas, you can still get mortgage loans with only 5% down.
Your Credit Score Is More Important
Credit score requirements for mortgage loans have risen. A good score will have to be above 720, which is fairly high. If you don’t meet the new, more stringent credit score requirements, the bank may still offer you a loan – after you pay substantial upfront fees.
As if that weren’t enough, you will be offered a higher interest rate to compensate for any deficiencies in your credit reporting. This may make it difficult to qualify for a higher amount after you take into account more money to pay for fees and monthly payments.
What About Previous Data?
If you qualified for a loan before the new rules, you may have some nasty surprises ahead of you. Mortgage loans approved in the past can easily be affected, with the most common problem being how much of a cushion you need to buy the house.
If you qualified with a 5% down payment, you might need 10% now. Since the percentages are based on the total cost of the home, the borrower may be facing an addition of many tens of thousands of dollars they need to come up with before closing. This is why many people are finding that even if they qualify, they are caught short.
Check Your Local Market and Lenders
The situation is not the same in every state in the union. Be sure to check your local real estate market and lenders. Lenders are becoming more aware that some areas have resisted the downturn and they are not as concerned about fallout in housing prices there. This can impact the types of offer that are available in your area versus some place like Florida.
As long as the market is good in your area, you will probably have more choices in mortgage loans and favorable terms than other more affected areas.
Mortgage Interest Rate Specific links
Mortgage Interest Rate News
UK Lending Drops as Recession, Interest Rates Take Toll - Wall Street Journal
UK Lending Drops as Recession, Interest Rates Take Toll Wall Street Journal By Ilona Billington LONDON (Dow Jones)--Mortgage and business lending in the UK dropped in April as the slowing economy, rising interest rates and growing concern over Greece's future in the euro zone damped demand, and after a tax break for first-time ... |
Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage rate down a tick at 3.78% - Los Angeles Times
 CBS Moneywatch | Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage rate down a tick at 3.78% Los Angeles Times By E. Scott Reckard Record low interest rates for 30-year mortgages edged down another tick, Freddie Mac said in its latest survey, which showed lenders across the nation offering the benchmark loan at 3.78% compared to 3.79% last week. 30-year mortgage rate hits another record low Realtors(R) Offer Support for Bill to Help Responsible Homeowners Refinance Fixed mortgage rates hover at record lows |
Real estate industry pushes Senate on refi bill - MarketWatch
Real estate industry pushes Senate on refi bill MarketWatch By Mara Grbenick of Medill News Service WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Real estate and mortgage industry leaders urged a Senate committee on Thursday to back a plan that would lower interest rates for homeowners with government-owned mortgages. |
Supreme Court says families cannot sue mortgage company over loan discount fee - Washington Post
 KLEW | Supreme Court says families cannot sue mortgage company over loan discount fee Washington Post WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that three families cannot sue a mortgage company for allegedly charging them a loan discount fee without giving them a lower interest rate. The high court's decision tosses out lawsuits filed ... Mortgage Closing Overcharge Suits Curbed by High Court |
Even Lower Interest Rates Keep Refi's Rolling - LoanRateUpdate (press release)
 World News Resource | Even Lower Interest Rates Keep Refi's Rolling LoanRateUpdate (press release) Applications to refinance mortgages increased for the third consecutive week as mortgage interest rates continued to decline into new record low territory brought on by the European debt crisis which has pushed Treasury bonds near their record low ... Current Mortgage Rates: SunTrust, TD Bank and US Bank Home Purchase Rates for ... Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hold at Record Lows Refinance Applications Increase in U.S. for Third Consecutive Week, Driven by ... |