The Lending Coach

Coaching and teaching - many through the mortgage process and others on the field

Category: Mortgage (Page 34 of 61)

Which Is Better: Cash-Out Refinance or a HELOC?

September 3, 2019 /

When you need cash for home improvements, school tuition, a down payment for a 2nd home, or debt consolidation, you might want to consider tapping into what could be your greatest source of wealth — your home equity.

Interestingly, there is more than one way to access your home equity – so it’s smart to compare available options to find the right fit.

Two of the most popular ways are a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and a cash-out refinance. Both of these loans can work if you want to access your home equity, but they do work rather differently.

The “Cash-Out” Refinance

Cash-out refinancing involves replacing your current home loan with a new one. The “cashing out” part of the equation means you essentially take out a larger home loan than you currently have so you can receive the difference as a lump sum. This strategy works for those who have equity in their homes due to paying down their mortgage balances or appreciation of their property.

To qualify for a cash-out refinance, you need to meet similar requirements as you would if you were applying for a first mortgage – and you must have the equity in your home to qualify, as well.  You can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value.

So, let’s assume your home has a value of $300,000 and you want to take cash out. In that case, you could only borrow up to $240,000 through a cash-out refinance. If you owe that much or more on your home already, you wouldn’t qualify.

The Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

While a cash-out refinance requires you to replace your current mortgage with a new one, a HELOC lets you keep your first mortgage exactly how it is.

Acting as a second mortgage, a HELOC lets you borrow against your home equity via a line of credit. This strategy allows you to withdraw the money you want when you want it, then repay only the amounts you borrow.

You now have two mortgage payments to make each month – your first mortgage payment and the new HELOC.

To qualify for a HELOC, you need to have equity in your home. Depending on your creditworthiness and how much debt you have, you may be able to borrow up to 85% of the appraised value of your home after you subtract the balance of your first mortgage.

For example, let’s say your home is worth $300,000 and the balance on your mortgage is currently $200,000. A HELOC could make it possible for you to borrow up to $255,000, because you would still retain 85% equity after accounting for your first mortgage and your HELOC.

Generally speaking, HELOCs work a lot like a credit card. You typically have a “draw period” during which you can take out money to use for any purpose. Once that period ends, you may have the option to repay the loan amount over a specific amount of time or you might be required to repay the balance in full.

Like credit cards, HELOCs also tend to come with variable interest rates, so you should be prepared for some rate volatility.

Key Differentiators

Before you decide between a HELOC or a cash-out refinance, it helps to do some analysis on your personal finances and your overall goals.

A cash-out refinance may work better if:

  • Your current home loan has a higher rate than you could qualify for now, so refinancing could help you save on interest
  • You need more than $50,000 overall
  • You prefer the stability of a fixed monthly payment or only want to make one mortgage payment every month
  • You have high-interest debts and want to consolidate them at the same rate as your new mortgage
  • What you save by refinancing — such as savings from a lower interest rate — outweighs the fees that come with refinancing
  • You are able to roll your closing costs/fees into the new loan amount so there are no out-of-pocket costs

A HELOC may work better if:

  • You are happy with your first mortgage and don’t want to trade it for a new loan
  • You need less than $50,000 overall
  • Your first mortgage has a lower interest rate than you can qualify for with today’s rates
  • You aren’t sure how much money you need, so you prefer the flexibility of having a line of credit you can borrow against
  • You want to be able to borrow up to 85% of your home’s value versus the 80% you can borrow with a cash-out refinance

Here’s a quick “snapshot” of two different options – notice how the smaller transaction works well with the HELOC, the larger one with the refinance.

As you can see, for the smaller transaction, the HELOC is less expensive overall – both in fees and monthly payment. However, once you go over the $50,000 mark in cash-back, it appears that the cash-out refinance is the most economical, all things considered.

I’d invite you to find out more from Gina Pogol at The Mortgage Reports here….and Holly Johnson at Magnify Money here….

HELOC Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Applying for a HELOC allows you to maintain the terms of your original mortgage, which can be an advantage if your rate is low.
  • You can use money from a HELOC for anything you want, and you only have to repay amounts you borrow.
  • HELOCs tend to come with lower closing costs than traditional mortgages and home equity loans.
  • HELOCs can generally be closed quicker than refinances

Cons

  • Taking out a HELOC means you’ll need to make two housing payments every month — your first mortgage payment and your HELOC payment.
  • Interest on a HELOC is no longer tax-deductible, unless the funds are used for acquisition or updating your home.
  • They are more expensive the more you borrow – if you are needing more than $50,000, your payments might be higher than that of a refinance
  • Since you only repay what you borrow and the interest rate on HELOCs is typically variable, you may not be able to anticipate what your monthly payment will be. Your monthly payment could also be interest only at first, meaning your payment won’t go toward the principal or help pay down the balance of your loan.
  • The interest rate on HELOCs tends to be higher than first mortgages, and their variable rates can seem riskier. You may also be required to pay a balloon payment at the end of your loan, so make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions.

Refinance Pros and Cons

Pros

  • You can use the money from a cash-out refinance for anything you want, including home upgrades, college tuition, a vacation or debt consolidation.
  • If rates have gone down or your credit has improved since you took out your original home loan, you could refinance your mortgage into a new loan with a lower interest rate.
  • You can choose from different types of loans for your refinance, with various terms and fixed or variable rates available.
  • Interest on your first mortgage may be tax-deductible.
  • Interest rates on first mortgages tend to be lower than other options, such as home equity loans or HELOCs.

Cons

  • Closing costs for a cash-out refinance are typically higher than those of a HELOC
  • If interest rates have gone up since you purchased your home, you could be trading your mortgage for a higher interest loan that will be more expensive.
  • Refinancing your home to take cash out may leave you in mortgage debt longer.
  • You won’t qualify for a cash-out refinance unless you have at least 80% equity in your home after the process is complete.

In Conclusion

As you can see, there’s really no right or wrong decision to be made here, but it is important that you know the benefits and drawbacks of both options. Please do reach out to me for more information, as I’d be happy to go over the specifics of your scenario to find the best option.

A True Mortgage Approval Before a Purchase – The “TBD” Underwrite

August 14, 2019 /

In today’s competitive real estate market, potential home-buyers need every advantage they can get.

One way to differentiate your offer from the myriad of others is a true “TBD underwritten” loan approval. 

I’m not talking about the typical pre-qualification letter that is a cursory overview of a borrower’s ability to gain an approval, but a fully underwritten approval that is only waiting for a contract.

This process is for the home-buyer who wants a solid, iron clad pre-approval that has been fully underwritten and signed off by mortgage underwriters. 

How does that work?

Well, it works very similarly to a full-fledged underwrite – except the address is left blank – or “TBD” (to be determined).  The underwriter analyzes the file as if it was a true loan – and provides the actual loan conditions that the borrower must meet.

What’s the downside?

The only real downside is time.  This process could take as long as a few weeks, because all documentation needs to be gathered (tax returns, W2s, pay stubs, bank statements, etc.) and then analyzed by the underwriter.

What’s the advantage?

There are a multitude of advantages.  First and foremost, the borrower will know the exact size of the mortgage that they will be able to qualify for.  They will have a very good idea of the monthly payment and be assured that the loan will go through.

Equally important, the offer you submit will essentially be like a cash offer.  The real estate agent presenting the offer will share with the seller’s agent that the mortgage approval is actually confirmed – not pre-qualified.  This will make your offer much more attractive to the sellers, as they don’t have to be concerned about mortgage approval.

Finally, the closing can take place more quickly than standard financed transactions.  Essentially all that’s needed is an appraisal to confirm the value of the property.  Instead of a 30 to 45 day close, these can be done in less than 20!

In Conclusion

If you know that you will be purchasing a home in the near future, ask your mortgage lender about a “TBD approval” to see if that’s an option.  If so, I highly recommend that you go through the process early – and in that way you will be miles ahead of your buying competition!

Please do reach out to me for more information, as I can absolutely help you with a “TBD” underwrite!

Mortgage Options for Newly Self Employed Borrowers

August 10, 2019 /

Self-employed mortgage applicants must prove stability of employment and income, traditionally going back at least two years.  This regulation is a bit tougher than it is for regular salaried employees.

Traditionally, mortgage lenders have required two years federal income tax returns in securing a mortgage for purchasing or refinancing real estate. 

Fortunately, there is a way to use just one year of tax returns to qualify for a mortgage. 

This can help newer business owners, as well as those who experienced a down year in the past.

Introducing Two-X Flex 1-Year

Finance of America Mortgage has a new, proprietary product that drastically reduces the amount of documents and simplifies qualification. 

Two-X Flex 1-year requires only one year of income documentation and offers borrowers more flexibility in qualifying for a mortgage.   

Product Details

  • 1-year of income documentation used for qualifying
  • Wage earner and self-employed borrowers
  • Up to 90% loan-to-value with no mortgage insurance
  • As low as 640 minimum FICO
  • $100,000 minimum loan amount
  • Up to $3,000,000 maximum loan amount
  • 30 year fixed
  • 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 ARM –fully amortizing and interest only
  • Primary Residence, Second Homes, Investment Properties
  • Up to 50% debt-to-income ratio
  • 1-2 units, PUD and warrantable condos

In order to utilize this one-year requirement, it’s important to understand that your tax return must reflect a full year of self-employment income.

For example, if you became self-employed in April 2017, that year’s tax returns are not going to reflect a full year.  If you started your business in November 2016, then your 2018 tax returns will demonstrate a full year of experience running your business.

Give me a call to find out more – as there are multiple alternatives that we can examine!

It’s Easier to Qualify for a Mortgage Than You Might Think

August 3, 2019 /

One of the largest misconceptions that potential borrowers have about buying a home is that it’s too tough to qualify for a mortgage.

Qualification can be a lengthy process, to be sure, but it isn’t impossible by any stretch.

Think about it this way…people buy homes every day, and many borrowers don’t have the perfect situations. 

Erik J. Martin from The Mortgage Reports has put together an interesting piece that I’ve linked to here.  I highly recommend you take a look at it – and I’ve summarized some of it in this article.

Don’t Overthink the Perceived Difficulty

Believe it or not, most potential borrowers with a reliable job, that have regular income, and average credit can most likely qualify for a mortgage.  Of course, there are specific regulations that must be met, but qualification isn’t as tough as many might think.

Interestingly, many potential buyers willing to own a home don’t even try to qualify for a mortgage. Many believe that rigid mortgage requirements will disqualify them.

Per Martin’s article: “new research indicates that consumers think it’s harder to qualify for a mortgage loan than it actually is. And many lack the facts and know-how to properly pursue home financing.”

He continues: “don’t rule out buying a home because you think you’re ineligible for a loan. Chances are that, armed with knowledge and the right guidance, you can buy that home you’ve been thinking about.”

Report: Consumers believe guidelines are tougher than they really are

Martin references the study from Fannie Mae that recently polled 3,000 consumers about their understanding of mortgage requirement rules. Some findings were surprising:

  • Only 11 percent were aware that the minimum FICO credit score needed to obtain a mortgage is 580. Most thought it was 650.
  • Over 40 percent didn’t know their own credit score.
  • Most people think you need to put down at least 10 percent for a down payment. The truth is, the median is 3 percent; some programs don’t even require a down payment.
  • Only 23 percent of respondents were aware that low down payment programs are available.
  • Over three in five didn’t know that the debt-to-income ratio lenders don’t want total debt payments to exceed is 50 percent.
  • Only 12 percent of homeowners and 9 percent of renters were able to identify the correct credit score range needed to qualify for a mortgage.
  • The top five reasons cited for expected difficulty in getting a mortgage were
    • Insufficient income (chosen by 23% of respondents)
    • Too much debt (17%)
    • Insufficient credit score/credit history (15%)
    • Affording the down payment or closing costs (14%)
    • Lack of job security/stability (9%)

One more thing regarding those who would rather rent than buy…the report intimates that these are the people are most unclear about mortgage requirements.

My guess is that this uncertainty is holding them back from learning more details or reaching for a goal that seems to difficult.

Give it a Try!

More often than not, there are two things get in the way of buyers seeking a mortgage: their own fears and lack of info about mortgage requirements.

There are many things potential borrowers can do – one of the first is finding out your FICO credit score.  You can find more on that here….

Most importantly, reach out to a trustworthy lender and go through the mortgage application process.

When talking with your lender, make sure to ask about different loan options – and find out what you qualify for. Learn what your minimum down payment and credit score need to be.

Determine how much you’ll pay monthly and over the course of a given loan. Your lender can also talk with you about the particular requirements for that particular loan.

Please do reach out to me, as it would be my pleasure to help!

Using Gift Money for Your Down Payment

July 27, 2019 /

Saving for a down payment can be one of the most important and most challenging facets of buying a home. The larger the down payment, the lower your loan amount – and that results in a lower monthly payment, a lower interest rate in many cases, and it could help you to avoid mortgage insurance. 

But, there are some out there that can get around bringing in a large down payment. Many have family members or others who are willing to help them out – and that’s when “gifting” comes into play.

The Gift Letter

Borrowers can get help from parents or other people that care about them, but they will need to get a signed statement from that giver that the money is, in fact, a gift and not a third-party loan.

The mortgage gift letter must include the giver’s name, address and contact information, as well as the banking information of that particular account, as well as the recipient’s name and relationships to the giver and the dollar amount.

In most cases the lender will have a template letter that will help you with this step.

A Key Piece – Documenting the Gift

When putting together the gift letter, the giver needs to include documentation of where that gift is coming from – this is extremely important

For instance, the lender will most likely need to see a bank statement or other form of proof verifying that the donor has the money to provide that gift and/or paperwork showing an electronic transfer between the donor’s account and yours.

If the person gifting the funds is selling shares of stock or other investments to provide the cash for a down payment, the giver will need a statement from their brokerage account showing that transaction.

Most importantly, as a borrower, you don’t want to add the gift funds with any of your other finances. Doing so could complicate the paper trail and cause the lender to reject the gift altogether. 

It’s easiest to have the giver wire the money straight to escrow at closing – that way there are no issues with documenting the gift.

Rules and Limits On Gifts

You might assume that you can just use whatever financial gifts your loved ones give you for a down payment, but using gift money is not as simple as you might think. The source of the funds in your bank account, and the givers, will matter just as much as how much money you actually have.

Secondly, the amount of down payment funds that can be gifted depends on the type of mortgage loan involved. If you’re getting an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment, for instance, the entire down payment can be a gift.

On the other hand, if you’re using a conventional Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan, the entire down payment can only be a gift if you’re putting down 20% or more of the home’s purchase price. If your down payment is less than 20%, some of the money has to come from the borrower. 

These rules are subject to change based on lending regulations, so check with your mortgage lender to make sure that you transaction qualifies for the use of gift funds.

Primary Residences

If a borrower is purchasing a primary residence, they can use gift funds for their down payment. These following regulations apply:

  • If it’s a single-family home, you can use gift funds without having to contribute any of your own money to your down payment.
  • If it’s a multi-family home, you can get a home without having to contribute to the down payment as long as the down payment is 20% or more. If the down payment is 20% or less on a multi-unit home, you have to contribute at least 5% of your own funds to your down payment.

Second Homes

For a second home purchase, the following regulations apply regarding gifts and gift limits:

  • If you’re making a down payment of 20% or more, all funding for the down payment can come from the gift.
  • If it’s less than 20%, then 5% of your down payment must come from your own funds.

Investment Properties

Gift funds cannot be used toward the down payment on any investment property.

Who Can Gift a Down Payment?

Depending on the type of loan, there are different regulations on who may give a down payment gift.

Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac)

A conventional loan through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac means the gift must to come from a family member. Per their regulations, family is defined as:

  • Spouse
  • Parent (including step and foster)
  • Grandparent (including great, step and foster)
  • Aunt/uncle (including great and step)
  • Niece/nephew (including step)
  • Cousin (including step and adopted)
  • In-laws (including parents, grandparents, aunt/uncle, brother- and sister-in-law)
  • Child (including step, foster and adopted)
  • Sibling (including step, foster and adopted)
  • Domestic partner
  • Fiancé

FHA Loans

With FHA loans, the list is nearly identical to the conventional rules, including future in-laws. But, some restrictions do apply – so do check with your lender for details.

While cousins, nieces and nephews aren’t able to give your gift under normal family guidelines with an FHA loan, the FHA does allow for gifts from close friends who have a clear interest in your life. This can include extended family like cousins, nieces and nephews and even former spouses.

In addition to the ‘close friend’ guideline, the FHA also allows for gifts from the following:

  • Employer
  • Labor union
  • Charitable organization

Finally, you can receive funds from a government agency or public entity that provides homeownership assistance to low-to-moderate income or first-time home buyers.

In Conclusion

Please reach out to me for more information on gifts and mortgage qualification, as it would be my pleasure to help you!

« Older posts Newer posts »

© The Lending Coach and Starlight Mortgage Company; Equal Housing Opportunity; AZ BK #0928502 and NMLS CO #1198744; Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act; Tom Bonetto NMLS ID #1431961. I am authorized to do business in Arizona and California. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/.

Click here for licensing information.

Questions, comments, concerns?

Starlight Mortgage

This is not a commitment to lend. Prices, guidelines and minimum requirements are subject to change without notice. Some products may not be available in all states.  Subject to review of credit and/or collateral; not all applicants will qualify for financing. It is important to make an informed decision when selecting and using a loan product; make sure to compare loan types when making a financing decision. Any materials were not provided by HUD or FHA. It has not been approved by FHA or any Government Agency. This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. No mortgage loan applications for properties located in the state of New York will be accepted through this site.

© 2026 The Lending Coach

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑