When two or more veterans seek a VA loan additional rules and guidelines apply.This video explains the basics. Official VA guidelines state that strengths of one veteran related to income and/or assets may compensate for weaknesses of the other. BUT... satisfactory credit of one veteran cannot compensate for poor credit of the other. When one of the borrowers is NOT a veteran the guidelines are slightly different. In that case the income of the veteran has to be sufficient to repay their portion of the loan. Income strength of the non-veteran spouse cannot compensate for income weakness of the veteran in determining eligibility. Finally, for joint loans where any party besides the veteran and/or their spouse will hold title to the property VA review is required. The VA Lenders Handbook - VA Pamphlet 26-7 - has more details.

Loans from FHA-approved lenders (Federal Housing Authority) provide more flexibility than conventional loans. Here are some of the things generally allowed in re-establishing credit via FHA loans: If you went through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu, if 3 years have passed, you may be eligible If you had outstanding tax liens, if youve arranged a repayment plan with Federal (IRS) or state tax authorities, you may be eligible If you have judgements that have been paid, you may be eligible If you went through bankruptcy at least 2 years ago, you may be eligible. For borrowers with unusual credit records — for example, those who prefer paying in cash and carrying no debt — FHA may be an option. Likewise, new or first-time buyers with little established credit should investigate FHA programs for assistance. Talk to an FHA-approved lender to learn more.

The Federal Housing Authority — FHA — is a Federal agency tasked to help more Americans take advantage of home ownership. While the FHA is not a direct lender, it operates a wide range of programs to help people. FHA-approved lenders frequently allow for smaller down payments and easier terms than conventional non-FHA loans. Its not uncommon for FHA payments on a home you own to be lower than rent! If you think home ownership is out of reach, get in touch with FHA-approved lenders and see what current programs can do to help you out.

Your credit history will matter in your application for a mortgage. It pays to check it regularly - use annualcreditreport.com - and address errors and issues. Basic factual errors can usually be remedied by writing to the credit bureau; explain the mistake and provide clear evidence that it is an error. If an issue isnt an error, and an explanation would help, you may request to have your own remarks attached. For example, if you missed a payment because of an accident, add that to the record. In the long run — and in the mortgage — the better your credit history, the better your mortgage terms are likely to be.

Like the video states, there are no simple methods with which to enhance your credit history. However, you can work to keep it appropriate by keeping an excellent credit report. Pay your expenses on time. Pay for cards and keep month-to-month financial obligations sustainable. Limitation your general financial obligations, and examine your credit report yearly for precision and remedy any mistakes.

Your credit history will have a direct effect on your mortgage loan. Its in your interest to check your history, and address any issues, as early as possible. Federal law entitles everyone to a free annual credit report. You can request your free credit report at this site: annualcreditreport.com You can also request it directly from the 3 credit bureaus: Trans Union – www.transunion.com 1-800-916-8800 Experian – www.experian.com 1-888-397-3742 Equifax – www.equifax.com 1-800-685-1111 Look for other videos on credit history and credit score here to learn more.

"Well pull your credit." is the bland phrase you might hear from a lender. What does that mean? Three companies — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — maintain records of peoples debts and payments. They issue a credit score for you, based on this data. From a lenders perspective, the credit score provides a consistent measure to assess the possibility of a borrower defaulting on a loan. Your credit score can directly affect qualifying for a loan, rate and other terms. The better your score, the better your borrowing situation. A good credit score saves you money, which can help you maintain a good credit score. Its worth checking your credit score regularly, but particularly before a big transaction like a mortgage. If there are issues, start addressing them early. This video may help you understand the score; look for other videos here on credit scores and credit history for more.

Heres a short article and helpful explainer video, giving you some tips on choosing a lender for your mortgage loan. While applying for a mortgage can be intimidating, remember that lenders want your business! You are the customer, making one of the biggest purchases of your life. Companies you consider should be responsive, professional and helpful as you start sizing up your options. There are many advantages to working with a lender that has a local presence. They will have connections with the other businesses and government organizations involved in the purchase, and will know "how to do this" in your particular state and locality. A local presence also helps the lenders personnel be up-to-date on home values and conditions in the area, which could potentially be a factor in your search. Companies without a local presence should not automatically be rejected. Your communication preferences and record-keeping habits might make a national lender with a robust digital loan-processing system a fit. You should be comfortable with calls and video, rather than face-to-face conversation, if that looks like a fit. Advice from friends and family may be helpful, but keep this in mind. People do not buy homes as often as they buy groceries, or even cars. Verify the advice you receive with your own homework, online research, and feel for the situation.

Heres a video listing the DO and DONT steps to follow in the process of getting a mortgage loan. To ensure you wont fall victim to loan fraud, make sure you follow all of these steps in the process of applying for a loan. DO: Be honest about residency; if youre not going to live in the house, say so. Be clear and honest about any questions related to your credit history. Report your finances — debt, income and everything else — accurately. Do NOT: List fake co-borrowers Change tax return figures Overstate assets or valuations Fudge employment records Provide incorrect files to answer questions Exaggerate income or investments Buy property for someone else. Of course, do not sign ANY blank documents, and be sure you have read and understood anything that you do sign. And DO keep your own records of everything.

This video and article explain which organizations are exempt from ability-to-repay laws when handling mortgages. While most lenders are required to assess a borrowers ability to repay a mortgage, a few types of agencies and organizations are not. These include: State Housing Finance Agencies Community Housing Development Organizations Community Development Financial Institutions Downpayment Assistance Providers In addition, some not-for-profit companies making relatively few home loans are exempt. Federal loans, like this made under, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, might be exempt. Mortgages laws are designed to help customers and lending institutions avoid risk. If you need to check on a lending institutions right to be exempted from Ability-to-Repay, inquire with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau online, or by telephone at (855) 411-2372.