Buyers With Foreclosures On Their Credit Get Back In The Game

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ForeclosureThere’s an interesting phenomenon happening in the real estate buying cycle.

Now that most of the country is five to seven years out from its real estate peak, and most major cities are actually into the upswing of home prices, distressed homeowners of yesteryear are becoming the home buyers of today.

Rules for qualifying for a mortgage vary widely between lenders and loan programs, but one of the most-often used loans today is the FHA mortgage.

Today’s FHA mortgage requirements for foreclosures and bankruptcies (see your lender for exact details):

  • A foreclosure that was discharged three years ago
  • A bankruptcy discharged two years ago

The initial reaction by many to this situation is: Again?  We’ve certainly all seen enough shoddy lending and lax credit practices during the last boom-bust cycle and, on the face of it, this seems like an invitation to more.

However, the details of how these home buyers must qualify diverges widely from the way sub-prime home buyers were qualifying for loans in the past.  The new practices, while still generous to the buyer, create far greater protections for the lender and the American public who, in the long run, foot the bill for defaults.

Home buyers with foreclosures and bankruptcies on their records need to show a consistent history of pristine credit since the time of their foreclosure.

Additional FHA requirements (there are more, refer to a lender):

  • On-time bill payment on all credit accounts since the foreclosure/bankruptcy
  • A 640 credit score (responsible credit use is absolutely essential to gain this score 3 years out of foreclosure)
  • A verified down payment (3.5% or higher, depending on the borrower)
  • Upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance (which protects the lender from debts in case the buyer defaults)
  • Significantly lower debt-to-income ratios (ensures the buyer has ample discretionary income to make payments long-term)

Underwriters scrutinize these borrowers’ loan applications far more than an average home buyer.  In contrast, during the real estate boom, a buyer could be approved for a mortgage with very little credit history to support it.

Sub-prime mortgage approvals at the height of the real estate boom:

  • 580 credit score
  • 100% Financing or 80/20 1st/2nd mortgages (no money down)
  • Foreclosure 2 years out
  • Bankruptcy 2 years out
  • No income verification
  • Total debt ratios up to 60%

While the changes in lending to borrowers who have past foreclosures and bankruptcies may not satisfy all critics, there are also mitigating factors that underwriters take into consideration.  Remember that even though a home buyer’s past foreclosure may have been closed as of three years ago, the banks sometimes take up to a couple of years to push a foreclosure through.  That person may have essentially handed the home back to the bank five years ago and been repairing their credit ever since.  Underwriters can take this into account.

Moreover, there are many different situations that lead to foreclosure.  Certainly some buyers overspent, got in over their heads, and walked away from a bad investment.  Those are going to be viewed less favorably by a lender.  Others have lost their homes due to job loss, divorce, deaths in the family, and a host of other reasons.

When an underwriter can see that home buyers have been responsible with credit in every instance of their lives except for under one unforeseen loss of income or spouse, there is great reason to believe that these people, under the newer, more restrictive lending guidelines, are a good credit risk.  The lender and the public are protected by these buyers paying for mortgage insurance, and their re-introduction to the housing market in a new economy will allow them to re-establish a long-term credit track record and keep the housing market moving.

For Rent: 3BR/3BA Townhouse in Pembroke Pines, FL, $1,880/year

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For Rent: 3BR/3BA Townhouse in Pembroke Pines, FL, $1,880/year

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GREAT TOWNHOUSE IN GREAT LOCATION PEMBROKE PINES…Move in to this great community next to the exclusive Pembroke Gardens Mall. This Great new townhouse offer 1 bedroom and 1 full bathroom downstairs,and 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms upstairs. All Hurricane impact windows and doors. Kitchen upgraded with wood cabinets, granite and stainless steel appliances, red pavers floors patio. Enjoy water view from kitchen area and from its private red paver floor white fenced back patio. Pet’s maximum weight 25 lbs. CALL Shaun Clarke at 954-895-7123 or EMAIL: shaunclarke@keyes.com

For Sale: 4BR/2BA Single Family House in Pembroke Pines, FL, $390,000

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For Sale: 4BR/2BA Single Family House in Pembroke Pines, FL, $390,000

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A must see completely remodeled home in Pembroke Pines…PERFECT HOME AMAZING FINISHES IN THIS PRISTINE COMPLETELY REMODELED HOME, MARBLE FLOORS IN LIVING AREA, GOURMET CUSTOM KITCHEN WITH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES 4TH BED ROOM HAS BEEN COVERED TO A LOFT. THIS HOME IS IMPRESSIVE FROM THE MOMENT YOU PULL UP TO THE PAVED DRIVEWAY. PLENTY OF YARD FOR KIDS TO PLAY. 3/2/1 PLUS DEN…Shaun Clarke at 954-895-7123 or Email: shaunclarke@keyes.com

For Sale: 6BR/4BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $579,000

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For Sale: 6BR/4BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $579,000

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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Fort Lauderdale, FL, $1,480/month

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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Fort Lauderdale, FL, $1,480/month

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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Fort Lauderdale, FL, $2,000/year

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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Fort Lauderdale, FL, $2,000/year

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For Sale: 3BR/2BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $179,000

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For Sale: 3BR/2BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $179,000

ONE OF A KIND! A MUST SEE 3/2 HOME IN MIRAMAR…ON CANAL WITH AN INCREDIBLE BACKYARD, SITTING AREA, SCREENED PORCH, REMODELED KITCHEN W/STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, NEW ROOF BEING INSTALLED NOVEMBER 2012, ALARM, BEAUTIFUL FRONT SCREENED PORCH, 1 CAR GARAGE, SPLIT FLOOR PLAN, GENERATOR HOOK UP, NEWER WINDOWS, ON CANAL W/SEA WALL, FENCED YARD, PICTURE PERFECT! HURRICANE SHUTTERS ON FRONT OF HOUSE! THIS IS A STAND OUT HOME NOT TO BE MISSED.

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For Sale: 4BR/2BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $189,900

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For Sale: 4BR/2BA Single Family House in Miramar, FL, $189,900

NEWLY RENOVATED BEAUTIFUL MIRAMAR HOME…New..New..NEW!! A Must See. New Kitchen, New Granite Counters, New SS Appliances, New Fans & Fixtures, New Flooring, New 6-Panel Doors, New Bathrooms! Beautiful Pool & Patio overlooks a Gorgeous Water View! FHA $6,695 DOWN Only $895 Month P&I..FHA/VA OK Seller May Pay Buyer’s Closing Costs! HURRY Won’t Last!!.. NOT a Short-Sale or Foreclosure!!. CLOSE FAST!!..4th Bedroom has Private Entrance! Call Shaun Clarke at 954-895-7123 or Email: shaunclarke@keyes.com
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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Miramar, FL, $1,700/year

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For Rent: 3BR/2 1BA Townhouse in Miramar, FL, $1,700/year

A SPACIOUS MUST SEE MIRAMAR CONDO FOR RENT…CALL SHAUN CLARKE AT 954-895-7123 or EMAIL: shaunclarke@keyes.com