FHA Mortgage: Whats the Best Way to Show an Underwriter that Youre Ready to Buy a House?


Mortgage underwriters can be a suspicious bunch. If you have bruised or even bad credit, you have your work cut out for you. Many loan programs have guidelines that set a minimum FICO score of 620. FHA does not allow lenders to reject a loan based solely on FICO scores, but if yours is less than 620, there are probably other reasons the underwriter will find in your file to say no.

How do you prove to the underwriter that you're ready to buy a house?

  • Budget your income and start cleaning up the old dings on your credit report.
    • Payoff the minor collections, even the medical ones, unless you have a valid dispute.
    • Make arrangements to pay any judgement you might have and get 6 months worth of payments under your belt.
    • Formalize any credit dispute so your credit report reflects the dispute or you have copies of letters you have sent out.
  • Pay your rent on time and be able to prove it. Cancelled checks are the best proof. Letters from family members or sellers saying you're a good guy just aren't going to cut it. If you don't get your cancelled checks, then save the statements with the check numbers and the carbons.
  • Be able to explain what happened to your credit. Mortgage underwriters understand all about "life events". They can also do math pretty well. If you make enough money to pay your bills and you don't pay your bills, there better be a very good reason. A sincere explanation that indicates you take credit seriously works wonders.

And now, what's the number one way to prove to an underwriter that you are ready and able to afford your first house? There are four steps:

  • Figure out what you can afford in the way of a total Housing Expense payment. Principal, interest, mortgage insurance, property taxes and homeowner's hazard and fire insurance all add up. What's your letter to Santa Claus for a monthly outlay?
  • Set up a savings account if you don't already have one.
  • Each month, pay your rent on time and subtract the amount of your rent from the figure you came up with for your future house payment. Save the exact amount of the difference or more.
  • When it's time to apply for an FHA mortgage or any other type of mortgage, make a point of bringing your savings records to show that you have been "making" the payment already by placing the difference between it and your rent into your savings account each month and still paying your other bills on time.

Judi Moore authors Ask The Underwriter at 2rHouse.org and personally answers questions from readers about FHA mortgages and mortgage advice in general.



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Understanding Mortgage Refinance Rates
SheKnows.com, AZ - Sep 4, 2008
Mortgage refinance rates are the lowest rates, homeowners can get when trying to refinance their mortgages. Simple, isn’t it? Maybe so, but obtaining the ...


What’s A Divorce Got to Do with Your Mortgage Refinance?
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 25, 2008
When you’re the aggrieved partner, you silently wish that things will suddenly take a better turn, especially with an unpaid mortgage. Refinance plans have ...


Mortgage Refinance Options to Think About
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 26, 2008
Mortgage refinance options are always available no matter what type of mortgage you already have in place on the home you are living in. ...


Taking Home Mortgage Loans
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany - Aug 25, 2008
... you find your exact Loans and Credit Cards. Visit us now to get your Free Mortgage Refinance Loans Quotes Get your free report on Guaranteed Credit Cards.


Q: Can points from a refinanced mortgage be deducted on my taxes?
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - Aug 29, 2008
A: If the points were paid solely to refinance the mortgage, they can be deducted as mortgage interest but must be spread out over the life of the loan. ...


Capitol Heights a hot spot in Maryland for foreclosure activity
Business Gazette, MD - Sep 3, 2008
Baskin said programs such as the Prince George's County Mortgage Refinance Program and "Bridge to HOPE," where residents can borrow up to $15000 to repay ...


United Way sets sights on raising $15 million
Toledo Blade, OH - Sep 3, 2008
The area also has seen home prices and mortgage-refinance values drop in the past year, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. ...


Ask the Biz Brain
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - Aug 11, 2008
I have a pre-payment penalty on my mortgage loan for three years. I'd like to refinance sooner. Is there a way a lender can waive the penalty? ...


Refinance your Home Loan and Get Extra Cash
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 23, 2008
There are online sites offering access to a complete and up-to-date list of lenders dealing with mortgage refinance and this will make the process a lot ...


Borrowers feel fallout from mortgage giants' woes
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Aug 20, 2008
By Alan Zibel AP Jeff Jaye, a mortgage broker in Northern California, used to rely on homeowners looking to refinance their loans for more than two-thirds ...

Mortgage-Refinance - Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved