Video — Home Buying Basics: What Does Ability To Repay Mean?

Federal regulations for mortgage loans require lenders to assess a home-buyer’s likelihood of paying back the loan over the years ahead. As a result, lenders are required to ask about a borrower’s current financial situation and financial history.

Lender questions will cover employment, expenses, assets, income and of course credit history and credit rating. The key thing for the prospective home-buyer to understand is that lenders have to ask these questions and make this assessment.

These ability-to-repay rules are built into loans that meet Qualified Mortgage guidelines. If you are shopping and comparing loans, keep track of which options are meet the guidelines to be Qualified.