Subprime Loan
Subprime Loan - Subprime loans are not just for people with less than
perfect credit. While many subprime loans are used for people with not
such good credit, many are also used for creative financing, unique
situations, and for loans that dont meet traditional conforming
guidelines (conforming loans are generally for people with good
credit).
Sometimes the subprime market will offer up better
interest rates for a borrowers unique situation, than could be achieved
applying for a mortgage with a prime(AAA) lender, Even if the borrower
is not considered to be subprime.
Subprime loans are also referred to as
nonconforming loans, because they do not conform to standards set forth
by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the two largest purchasers of mortgage
backed securities.
There is a wide range when it comes to the
interest rates of sub prime lenders. It is your mortgage brokers job to
shop your loan to multiple sub prime lenders and obtain the best deal
for you. Most sub prime loans are written as 2 or 3 year ARMS.
There are many different sub-prime programs
available. There is much more flexibility on documentation required. A
good example is a VOR (Verification of Rent), may not be required using
certain subprime lenders. This makes it easy to finance someone that
can't verify their rental history. There are many more examples of
subprime programs!
Because "subprime" is another word for "non
conforming" financing anything that does not conform to Government
Sponsored Entities (GSE's)lending guidelines, such as those for FNMA
and FMHLC, fall into this category. Although credit may be the first
indicator to some how a loan is underwritten or graded, other important
factors play part too, such as loan amount. The FNMA conforming loan
limit for 2006 is $417,000. If your property is in California where the
average home value could be as high as $490,000, you will never be able
to qualify for conforming financing without splitting the loan into two
balances, thus splitting up the risk for the investors. Loans over the
conforming loan limits are commonly called "jumbo" and "super-jumbo"
loans, and sometimes even "luxury" home loans. All of these types of
loans fit into lending perimeters of non-conforming and subprime
financing, sometimes also referred to as "niche" lending.
Sub-prime, or sometimes refered to as non-prime,
lenders are often the source for loans that are secured by
non-warrantable condominiums and cooperatives. Non-warrantable condos
and coops are projects that do not meet the criteria set by Fannie Mae
and Freddie Mac and therefore the mortgages secured by these type of
condos and coops are not eligible to be delivered to FNMA and FHLMC.
Sub-prime mortgages are sold to investors who do not have such criteria.
Subprime loans are also known to close faster than
their counterparts. These loans are often the first choice of borrowers
who are in situations where they need fast closings.
Subprime loans are able to close faster because
the underwriting guidelines are not as strict as conventional lenders.
Looser guidelines allow for faster closings. Where a conventional
lender may require two years worth of a verification of rent, by a
management company, the subprime lenders may allow you to have a twelve
month VOR from a private party. It is little things like this that may
require you to go subprime for the time being.
Non prime loans will also allow you to purchase a
home immediately after bankruptcy, after a foreclosure, allow
collections, disregard consumer credit lates or many other options that
you may not be aware. If there are any questions please contact us for
your consultation.
Are you a subprime or conventional borrower? -
Everyone wants the best interest rate available when getting a
mortgage. Some people think that low interest rate they see advertised
on tv or the radio is available for everyone. This simply isnt the
case. Before applying for a mortgage you should evaluate your current
credit and financial situation so there are no suprises when you apply.
Another issue that lenders look at is your
tradlines and thier history. It is possible to have a very good score
with no accounts showing up on your credit report. If that's the case
you may have to get a subprime loan.
Even if it is determined that you are a sub-prime
borrower due to a variety of factors, you may still qualify for a great
rate. There are many banks who are very aggressive in this marketplace
who want this business. The best approach is to contact a mortgage
broker, who has access to numerous programs through many different
banks, to find out the absolute best program you can qualify for.
A loan approval is based on several factors such
as your credit, assets, equity, income to debt ratio, and the type of
property. If you change anyone of these factors your approved rate
could change (go up or down). Proper planning with your mortgage
advisor will go a long way to accomplish your goals of getting the best
possible rate.
Even if you have prefect credit and an 800 credit
score this may not guarantee you the absolute best rate out there.
Consider the type of financing you are looking for. If you are looking
to buy a home but you have no money for a down payment or closing costs
and you can not show adequate income documentation to qualify you, then
you may need to use more of a "creative financing" type loan. You may
need to go with a stated, no documentation, or no ratio type loan.
Match that with the fact that you also have to go with 100 percent
financing and you could be looking at a rate that is 1-3 percent
higher, if not more, than the best rates out there. Therefore, even
though you have excellent credit and a great credit score you could
still need to obtain a subprime loan because loan approval is not based
on just credit and credit scores alone. There are many other factors
that effect what type of loan you will qualify for. Therefore, consult
a mortgage professional early on when looking to buy a home to find out
what kind of borrower, subprime or conventional, and loan will be best
for you so that you can look for homes that will fit within your budget
for the mortgage that you will qualify for.
How easily can you document and prove your income?
Many conforming borrowers can prove their income with their tax returns
and W2s. Other borrowers have complicated pay structures, are self
employed, are paid on commission, or do not pay taxes on their income.
If this is the case then a subprime loan with relaxed income
documentation may be best. There are even some loans that require no
income documentation and no job history to qualify granted you have a
strong credit profile and good credit scores.
Normally, the difference between subprime
borrowers and conforming borrowers is their credit score. Lower credit
scores (under 600, generally) means the borrower is subprime. Subprime
mortgages have higher interest rates.
Are Subprime Mortgages Bad Loans? - There are news
stories reporting on how subprime home loans put families in financial
jeopardy and are the cause for most foreclosures. Are sub prime
mortgages such bad loan programs that one should avoid at all costs?
Subprime Mortgages are designed to help home buyers who do not qualify
for conforming loan products. Sub-prime home loans help many people
with poor credit history purchase homes, many requiring little to no
down payments.
Sub-prime mortgage is a wonderful tool in helping
to put people with blemished credit in their dream homes which they
otherwise would not be able to acquire, because neighborhood retail
banks would likely turn their loan applications down, due to their less
than perfect credit history.
In addition to making them homeowners, having a subprime mortgage can
also help rebuild their credit profiles, provided they remit mortgage
payments punctually, as mortgage payment history weighs heavily on
credit scores.
The term "subprime mortgage" has developed a
negative connotation primarily due to heavy media coverage of the Wall
Street companies who have invested heavily in the mortgage sector and
the money they are losing for being overzealous in their investments.
Don't let corporate greed and the media frenzy put a label on you.
If your credit is less than perfect, but you can afford to purchase a
home, the forgiving and flexible guidelines currently available in the
mortgage industry offer you an opportunity to begin building equity in
your own home instead of wasting your heard earned money on rent. But
don't let that opportunity become a liability by biting off more than
you can chew. Don't bend to the pressure of buying as much house as you
can afford. Think conservatively about how much you can comfortably
afford even if times get tough, plan to make a downpayment, and save as
much money as possible prior to purchasing the home. Improving your
credit prior to purchasing a home can also help you escape the
"subprime" label entirely, and may be the best investment you can make
in your financial future.
Subprime Mortgage has a negative connotation
because "sub" means "under" while "prime" means "greatest." However,
subprime is a very broad term used regularly within the mortgage
industry to categorize loan risk. Mortgage loans are typically
classified as A, ALT-A, and SUBPRIME. "A" loans carry the least amount
of risk while "SUBPRIME" carries the highest amount of risk.
Subprime mortgages are where a mortgage broker
really shines. Your mortgage broker will have access to many more
programs than your local bank. In most cases, a bank simply will not be
able to approve a mortgage application for a buyer who has various
special needs, including bad credit, no assets, no rent history, spotty
job history. A mortgage broker, however, helps these types of customers
find attractive mortgage loans every day.
Sub prime loans gave many people the opportunity
for home ownership, and many people have financially prospered from
having a sub prime loan. The loans themselves did not cause the
problems we are seeing today. The real problems lie in the real estate
market themselves and depreciating home values.
Subprime mortgages can be looked at as a "band
aid" loan. If your credit isn't in the best shape because you are
having trouble swinging your monthly payments on time, consider
consolidating some of your debt to lower your monthly payments. Your
Mortgage Consultant can show you the best band aid loan for you so you
can make all of your payments on time and refinance into a conforming
loan once your credit is repaired.
Subprime loans, if used properly, are an excellent
vehicle for a consumer to improve their financial position immediately.
Many former subprime borrowers have improved their credit rating and
have since moved into the "prime borrower" pool. This is often
accomplished by using subprime financing as a means to solve ones
immediate financial needs.