I had the pleasure of attending a continuing education class this past week where the subject was qualifying to buy a house after foreclosure or shortsale. The class was put on by WFG National Title and the guest speaker was Mitch Carpenter, a home mortgage consultant with Wells Fargo. Also in attendance was one of Wells Fargo’s loan underwriters.
Foreclosures and shortsales have been a huge part of our real estate market for several years now. These people who have lost their homes in distressed circumstances are going to get past the hard times, hopefully. In the future they may want to become home owners again. Just how will the foreclosure or shortsale affect their ability to buy a house in the future?
First, a disclaimer. What I am sharing here are some simple guidelines that I got out of a class. Be aware that each circumstance is unique and different underwriters and different lenders may, well, see things differently. This is intended to be general information. If you are in this circumstance, please consult your own lender.
Also, if you are facing foreclosure or shortsale, please seek legal council. What I am sharing here should not be used by you as advice. There are consequences to foreclosure and shortsale that I am not going to go into in this narrative. You need better advice and good legal council that I am simply not providing here.
Extenuating Circumstances vs Financial Mismanagement
When someone who has been through foreclosure or shortsale goes to apply for a new mortgage, the underwriter is going to want to determine if the foreclosure or shortsale was a result of extenuating circumstances or financial mismanagement. Extenuating circumstances are conditions that were out of their control. This may have been failure of a company, illness, or other financial difficulties that were beyond the control of the borrower. It will have been a one-time event that is unlikely to occur again. Financial mismanagement is a pattern of poor choices. Does the borrowers credit history show slow and late payments before the foreclosure or shortsale and also afterwards? This pattern means that the potential for future problems may exist. These two types of distress will determine what a buyer needs to do before they can become a homeowner again.
Foreclosure
If the foreclosure happened under extenuating circumstances:
* Borrow must provide a written narrative explaining the circumstances as well as written documentation and why it will not occur again.
* A minimum 620 credit score
* Purchase needs to be a primary residence and the borrower needs at least 10% down payment
* A credit report that shows borrower has reestablished an acceptable credit history.
* 3 years have passed since the foreclosure
If the foreclosure happened because of financial mismanagement:
* Minimum credit score of 680
* Purchase needs to be a primary residence and the borrower needs 10% down, minimum
* 7 years have passed since the foreclosure
Shortsale
Under extenuating circumstances:
* It has been 2 years since the completion date of the shortsale
* Property can be primary residence, second home, or investment
* No minimum credit score, but good credit will certainly be a factor
Due to financial mismanagement:
* It has been at least 4 years since the completion date of the shortsale
* Property can be primary residence, 2nd home, or investment
* Minimum 680 credit score
New FHA or VA Loans
Both FHA and VA are more lenient than conventional.
FHA will consider a borrow who has been through a foreclosure after 3 years and no further documentation is needed. If the borrower can show it was under extenuating circumstances and good credit has been re-established, they will consider approving a new loan before 3 years.
VA will consider a borrower who has been through a foreclosure after 2 years. If the foreclosure was under extenuating circumstances a new VA loan will be considered after just one year. In both cases the borrower must have re-established good credit.
Of note:
If the foreclosure or shortsale properties were either a VA or an FHA loan, a new VA or FHA loan will NEVER be approved until the the debt is paid in full.
It feels good to be thinking about moving beyond the down turn in the real estate market. There are a lot of people out there who have lost their homes. It has been terrible. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? I hope so. And for those who moved out into the light, you can rebuild your credit, you can become a home owner again. I recommend connecting up with a good mortgage loan officer and start working with them now for that purchase in the future. A good loan officer will spend time to help you years in advance of your eventual purchase.
Call if you have questions. As always, Linda and I are here to help.
Dianne