I don’t normally do this, but someone asked if they can write a blog post for me today. My response was why not. Lets give it try.
SUMMARY
Getting a mortgage after a short sale is very cumbersome task. However you need not to be despair if you take the right action. It is perfectly possible to get a mortgage after going through a short sale. This article explains just how to do this and make sure you not only get the home loan you want but also get the best possible deal.
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When you’ve just lost your home to a short sale, the first thing on your mind is probably getting a new one, at least within the next few years. But few people are aware of the rules surrounding post-short sale mortgage and credit. Wait times, down payments, and rates of approval are all affected by your short sale, and more importantly, by your credit score. Read on for some basic facts on getting a mortgage after a short sale.
How long do you have to wait?
For Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed loans, you have to wait two years before taking out another mortgage. This wait time was recently reduced from five years. However, if you were not more than 60 days behind prior to the short sale, you do not have to wait the whole two years—you can get a new mortgage right away provided your post-short sale credit can get you decent rates.
Does a short sale affect your credit score?
Needless to say, your credit suffers a blow after you do a short sale, although it’s not as drastic as a foreclosure. That’s why experts recommend waiting two years even if you’re part of the exception mentioned above. A bank may decide to give you a loan, but offer higher interest rates to make up for the risk. To get optimal mortgage rates, try to bring your credit score up to at least 680. This way, even if the short sale is still on file, lenders can see that you’ve stabilized enough to afford a new home.
What kind of loan can you get after a short sale?
The new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rules allow you to get a new mortgage after two years with an 80% loan-to-value ratio. This means you need to make at least a 20% down payment (your bank finances 80% of the home price). After four years, the maximum ratio goes up to 90%, meaning you can make just a 10% down payment.
How do you get better rates?
Besides a good credit score, you also need a steady payment history and a good credit ratio to get reasonable mortgage rates. The short sale will stay on your credit report for a while, so it’s important to make up for it with positive marks. Pay off any debts you still owe to lower your debt-to-income ratio to the ideal 31%. Get credit reports from all three credit bureaus and fix any errors if necessary.
AUTHOR BIO
Author is a professional short sale/ real estate agent who completely has a handle on the Short Sale process and helps people who need short sales, or who want to sell for any reason. He also helps people who are having difficulty but want to keep their home. Visit his website to get more information about Short Sale, Mortgage Short sale: – Shortsale
LINK
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