Archive for the ‘Down Payment’ Category

Do You Know How to Qualify for a Mortgage?

Saturday, June 15th, 2019
Qualify for a mortgage
Home ownership is more of a possibility than most people realize. Find out how you can qualify for a mortgage and start shopping.

If you don’t know what it takes to qualify for a mortgage, you’re not alone. This lack of knowledge prevents people from even trying to purchase their first home. Is this you? If so, understanding the whole process better will clear up a lot of confusion. Read on to find out how to qualify for a mortgage and which type of loan is best for you.

Down Payment Requirements

Are you wondering how much of a down payment you need to qualify for a mortgage? Most people are. In spite of all the mortgage information available online, a lot of it is insufficient. So many still overestimate the down payment needed to qualify for a mortgage. The answer used to be 20 percent. But nowadays you can qualify for a home loan with a low down payment. Some types of mortgages even require no down payment! And no, this isn’t some special offer for first-time home buyers only.

Here are some down payment guidelines for different types of home loans:

  • VA loans and USDA loans require no down payment
  • FHA loans are one of the most popular types of home loans. They require 3.5 percent down with a 580 credit score. If your credit score ranks 500-579, your FHA loan will require 10 percent down
  • 203k loans also require 3.5 percent down
  • A Conventional 97 loan requires only 3 percent down
  • Conventional loans require anywhere between 5 percent and 20 percent down.

Credit Score Requirements

How’s your credit score? Do you know the credit score you need to qualify for a mortgage? Again, most people don’t. And many can’t recall what their current credit score is even after checking it recently. Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. And of course, an excellent credit score gives you lots of worry-free wiggle room in qualifying for a home loan.

A credit score of 680 or higher is ideal when you’re in need of getting approved for a home loan. Some lenders require a credit score of 640 while others will accept lower credit scores.

Each of the loan programs listed above have a set minimum qualifying credit score requirements.

  • VA loans and USDA loans require a credit score of 620. For VA loans, some lenders may  be able to approve a credit score of 580+
  • FHA loans require a 580 credit score
  • 203k and Conventional loans require a credit score of 640
  • Conventional 97 loans require a 620 credit score

But what if you have bad credit? If you need to improve your credit score to qualify for a mortgage, click here. Learn how to improve your credit score by 100 points in 30 days.

Mortgage Document Requirements

In order for your lender to process your loan, you must produce several documents. So be prepared ahead of time and get the following ready now:

  • W2’s from the past 2 years. You should have at least 2 years of income from the same company or industry documented
  • Pay-stubs for the last 3 months
  • Bank statements for the past 3 months
  • Tax returns for the previous 2 years
  • A list of your debts and assets
  • Divorce decree if you have gone through a divorce
  • Additional income documentation

Basic Guidelines for How to Qualify for a Mortgage

If you want to qualify for a home loan, follow these basic guidelines:

  • Prove your income is sufficient and consistent
  • Have at least 2 years of documented income from the same company or in the same industry
  • If you earn commissions, average your income from the last 2 years of tax returns

What income is considered “qualifying income”?

  • W-2 income/salary income from part-time jobs
  • Income from a second job
  • Overtime and bonuses
  • Seasonal jobs
  • Self-employed income
  • Alimony and child support (Documentation for this is required)
  • Non-qualifying VA income
  • Income from the lottery gambling
  • Unemployment pay
  • Single bonuses non-occupying co-signer income
  • Unverifiable income
  • Income from Rental Properties

Homeownership is a Possibility!

So if you are one of the 20 percent of consumers who believe a down payment of 10 percent or less is not enough to purchase a home, think again! There are mortgage financing options available that don’t require a 20 percent down payment. Providing you are a creditworthy prospective buyer, lenders now offer safe, sustainable loans with as little as 3 percent down. Obtaining a mortgage isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Homeownership is truly a possibility!

Contact Charles D’Alessandroyour Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate. Call (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email [email protected]. With 30-plus years of real estate experience in Brooklyn, he can answer your questions about how to qualify for a mortgage.


Charles D’Alessandro
Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent
718-253-9600 ext. 206
[email protected]

What is the Requirement for a Down Payment on a Home?

Thursday, December 15th, 2016

Down payment in Brooklyn

Bottom line: A bigger down payment equals more house.

We’ve found the perfect house, and interest rates are still low at just under 4%. We have been preapproved for the loan needed to purchase the home and have given the seller earnest money for the escrow account. The next step? Acquiring a down payment.

What is a down payment?

A down payment is the money given to the seller of the home you are buying. It is a percentage of the total price of the home. The remaining amount is paid to the seller from the mortgage secured.

The money for a down payment can come from:

  • Your personal savings account
  • The sale of a house
  • Gifts and grants from family, employers and nonprofits

Why is a down payment required when purchasing a home?

Lenders require a down payment because it gives the borrower incentive to make their monthly mortgage payments. If you as a homeowner can’t make the monthly mortgage payments on your home, you risk losing the down payment and going into foreclosure.

What is the minimum amount required to put down on a home?

For a while now, 20% has been the minimum down payment for standard loans. While a down payment of 20% or more allows you to avoid purchasing mortgage insurance, down payments less than 20% are becoming more common.

Because the housing market is improving, lenders are relaxing. Even 10% down payments are more widely accepted. That’s good news for all who need to buy a Brooklyn home.

Most lenders require at least 3% down. Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans) require at least 3.5% down. Minimum down payments of 5%, 10%, 20% or more are determined based on your credit history, the type of dwelling and your reason for buying.

For the sake of explanation, look at these two examples. Let’s say you buy a house for $300,000:

  • A 20% down payment means you pay the seller $60,000 and borrow $240,000.
  • With a 10% down payment, you would pay the seller $30,000 and you would borrow $270,000.

Search for a low down-payment mortgage today. Click here.

Are there risks associated with down payments less than 20%?

Yes, if you can call them risks.

  • In order to qualify for a down payment less than 20%, you’ll need a credit score “in the green.”
  • You’ll have to but mortgage insurance, too. (Mortgage insurance protects the lender in case you default on the loan). There are two main types: Private mortgage insurance (PMI) and FHA insurance.
  • Lenders usually charge fees to borrowers who make down payments of less than 20%. The fees are on top of mortgage insurance premiums. The smaller the down payment, the higher the fees. Fees are paid at closing. Lenders sometimes charge higher interest rates instead of the fees.

When a down payment of 20% or more is put down on a home, the lender figures defaulting will be more detrimental to you than it will be to the bank. (This calculator will estimate the cost of mortgage insurance in your case.)

Because home values are improving, home prices are increasing. However, most economists predict they will not increase rapidly. Putting 10% down rather than 20% will make gaining equity in your home take longer. This matters only if you want to apply for a home equity line of credit in the future. You’ll have less to draw on.

Depending on your situation, 10% down may prove to be worth the complications that come with that. To make sure you’re making the right choice, talk with your lender. Discuss fees and factors that come with different sizes of down payments. (i.e, 10% versus 20% down as mentioned above).

In closing …

A bigger down payment equals more house. Again, talk with your lender. If you can, put 20% down. If you can’t, look at many different sizes of down payments and how each amount will affect your monthly house payments. A good lender will get creative and work with you to get you into your next home.

If you have questions about down payments, contact Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9700 ext. 206 or email [email protected]. He’ll answer your questions or connect you with a great person who can. Call him today!