Tag: credit score

Your mortgage application was denied. Now what?

If your mortgage application has been denied, you don’t have to give up on your home ownership dreams. There are steps you can take to improve your ability to get approved for a loan.

First, it is crucial to get in contact with your lender. There are a multitude of reasons as to why an application can be denied. Learning why your application was denied will give you the chance to resolve any issues.

Let’s go over some common reasons an application may be denied.

Credit Score

There is a minimum credit score that borrowers will need to meet in order to receive a home loan. If your credit score does not meet the minimum requirement, your application could be denied, but you can work to improve your score. Although it takes time to improve a credit score, the benefit is worth the effort.

To maintain a good credit score, be sure to always pay your bills on time. Also, try to pay down debt to reduce your debt to income ratio. It is also best for your card balance to be low in relation to your credit limit. Even if you no longer use an account, do not close it, because your credit score is also affected by how long your accounts have been open. You should also limit credit inquiries and opening new credit lines; too many in a short period of time can lower your score.

Inconsistent Employment

There are certain employment requirements that borrowers will need to meet when applying for a home loan. It is favorable to have consistent employment; any gaps in your job history will be considered. Check to see if your income meets the minimum amount required for the loan you are applying for. Make sure that all of your income has been accounted for, including freelance, investment accounts, inheritances, and savings accounts.

Missing Paperwork

Carefully look over your loan application paperwork. Be careful that the information you provided is complete and correct. Ensure that you have provided all required documents. Missing or incorrect information can be a reason for a denied application.

Don’t Give Up!

It may take some time, but it is possible to come back from a denied mortgage application as a stronger applicant. At Benchmark, we take our job of helping you secure the dream of homeownership seriously. Even if you are not approved, you will be armed with the knowledge to do something about it courtesy of your Benchmark loan officer.

If you are serious about getting approved for a mortgage, contact us: we are here to help.

Contact your local Benchmark branch. Contact us today for personalized information. Call me yourself or request a call from me. WeI would be honored to provide you with our famous excellent service for your new loan.

Benchmark brings you home.

Owning A Home May Already Be Within Reach

by Jason Haeger

Have you told yourself that you’re too _____ to buy a home? The blank could be almost anything. Whether you think you’re too broke, too poor, or your credit score is too low, are you allowing an invisible script to prevent you from attaining your dream of owning your own home?

Just a side note: You may also be interested in Top 5 Myths About Home Buying in 2020

You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to have a 750+ credit score. You don’t need $50,000 in savings. Don’t believe me? Sit back, grab a cold drink, and hear me out.

Big Down Payments Are Old Hat

If you can scrounge up ~$10k for a down payment, I wager that you can probably buy a home. It’s not a sure thing, of course, but hear me out. While a 20% down payment is excellent wisdom, it isn’t a requirement. Depending on the loan type, and where you buy, you could be required to pay less than 5% down to get into it. FHA loans require 3.5% down, which is less than $10k, assuming the median sales price of $248,867*. There are some conventional loans that require as little as 3% down. That’s ~$7,500, assuming a sales price of $248,867.

Let’s assume you don’t have the full ten grand lying around in a checking or savings account. Some, or even all, of your down payment can come from gifts from family, depending on certain restrictions. The point is that you maybe shouldn’t let your savings dictate your eligibility. Even if you haven’t been prioritizing your savings, how long do you think it would take to save up? I don’t pretend to know or understand your financial situation, but it may come down to something as simple as organizing your priorities.

* https://www.zillow.com/home-values/

Your Credit Is Probably Fine

The average FICO credit score in the United States as of September 10, 2019 was 706**. In fact, as of January 13 of this year, 59% of people in the US have a FICO credit score greater than 700, and only 18% have a credit score that is considered subprime***. For everyone else, there is probably a mortgage product or program that suits your needs. I don’t pretend to know you or to know about your finances, so take that with a grain of salt. None of this is a guarantee, but I’m guessing based on averages.

Even if your credit isn’t where you want it to be yet, there are such things a conditional approvals. To learn more about this, it’s best to contact a mortgage pro. I might have a suggestion about how to find one at the end of this article.

** https://www.fico.com/blogs/average-u-s-fico-score-ticks-706
*** https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/consumer-credit-review/

Your Personal Debt Balance Isn’t That Important

The total balance of your personal debt isn’t a very important factor in qualifying for a new home loan. Once again, I don’t pretend to have a clue about your personal finances, so forgive the section title. Your debt balance is important, but probably not when it comes to buying a home.

If you are worried about your student loan debt, don’t be. This kind of debt is a little more complicated, but it can be based on your monthly minimum due or 5% of the balanced divided by 12 months, unless you’re in deferment for more than a year past the closing date. Like I said, it’s complicated, but it’s probably not preventing you from buying a home. The only way to find out how your particular student loan arrangement affects your ability to buy a home is to talk to a mortgage pro. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that soon.

If you have any other kind of personal debt, only the minimum payment as listed on your credit report matters. No matter your debt, this is what you need to know. The equation is called the “debt to income” ratio, or DTI. This is a ratio of your monthly financial debt obligations and your monthly income. That helps determine how much house you can afford, when coupled with your down payment and creditworthiness.

Asking Never Hurt Anyone

If you dream of owning your own home, like I once did, the only way to really know what your options are is to talk to a mortgage pro. If you only remember one tip from this short article, this is it. Nervous? I understand. So do the pros here at Benchmark.

Find your local Benchmark branch, and reach out to them.Contact us however you want to find out more.Give me a call, or request one from me to explore your options.

Even if the answer is “not yet”, you’ve made the first step towards achieving your dream, and your Benchmark loan originatorwemy team will be with you every step of the way.

Benchmark brings you home.

Top 5 Myths About Home Buying in 2020

by Austin Cox

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions and commitments many will make. Unfortunately, there are several outdated and false ideas surrounding the home buying process and what exactly is needed to qualify for, and purchase a home in 2020. In this list, we are breaking down five of the most common home buying myths.

1) 20% Down

If you have ever considered buying a home in the past, one of the first things you may have heard is the need for a 20% down payment. Times have changed! Some loans, such as an FHA loan, now require as little as 3.5% down. Customers applying for through the VA loan may require little to no down payment at all. There are even conventional loans that require only 3% down! There are disadvantages of putting a smaller down-payment on your home, such as potentially higher monthly mortgage payments and more interest paid on the loan over the term of the loan. On the other hand, this means that the savings period before buying a home may be shorter than many people think. Talk with your Benchmark Mortgage loan officer to see what your down payment options are, and see what works best for your situation.

2) Excellent Credit

Many people just assume that you need a stellar credit score to qualify for a home loan, but this is also false. If you have a low credit score, some lenders will look at bill payment and rent history. While a higher credit score could mean a lower interest rate, a less stellar score does not necessarily exclude you from getting a mortgage. This will vary from lender to lender, but going to a lender like Benchmark who will consider your unique situation and work with you on credit repair or seek alternative payment history sources is always a good idea.

3) Lowest Interest Rate

When starting the search for a home, the first thing most potential homebuyers look at first is the interest rate a lender can provide them. While the interest rate is an important factor when choosing a lender, it shouldn’t be the only thing that goes into choosing who you get your mortgage from. At Benchmark, we take “total payment” and your long-term financial outlook to heart, far beyond the scope of the interest rate alone. If a lender is offering an Adjustable Rate Mortgage(A.R.M.) at a very low initial interest rate, be warned that interest rate could potentially rise as the market fluctuates throughout the term of the loan. Be aware also, that if a lender is giving you an extremely low rate, it could mean higher up-front fees, or fees that will be factored into your closing costs. This brings us to our next home buying myth.

4) Closing Costs

Most people buying a home for the first time forget to factor in the closing costs of your home. This is an additional cost on top of your down-payment. These costs usually cover your home inspection, appraisal, application and origination fees. There are some exceptions to when you’ll have to pay the closing costs such as the seller agrees to pay, this is rare but can be negotiated depending on the situation. Talk to your loan officer during your loan process and assess the how much will be due at closing to avoid any surprises!

5) Student Loan Debt

This is another big-time home buying myth. Simply having student loan debt will not prevent you from qualifying. Most often, lenders want to see a consistent payment history on the loans in question. If you have been consistent, and/or are on a payment plan, that could increase your chances of qualifying for a loan. Understanding your debt-to-income standing is also key to knowing if you’re ready for home ownership or not. So before completely writing off the possibility of homeownership because you have student loans, consult a Benchmark mortgage specialist, and assess your eligibility. If you’ve been consistent on payments and have a decent debt-to-income ratio, you may be surprised at what you could qualify for.

Ready to get started?

If you want to explore whether you’re ready to buy a home, get in touch with a Benchmark Loan Officer to learn more about your financing options.we would be happy to answer any questions. If you are ready to get started, you can start your application now, or contact us today!you can call me, contact me, or if you are ready, you can apply now! It would be my honor to help you plan your financial goals.

Benchmark brings you home.

Nervous About Buying? Here’s A Dose of Confidence

by I Am Benchmark

If you are interested in buying a house, but do not know what you might need, or whether you can qualify, you’re not alone. Many would-be buyers are intimidated by the thought of what it takes to buy a home. Some wonder whether they can afford to buy, if they have enough saved for a down payment, or if their credit is good enough.

Can You Relate? If So, You’re In The Right Place!

Be confident that you can do it! The basics are pretty simple. To qualify in the current market, you will need a down payment (would you believe that you don’t need 20%), a stable income, and a good credit history.

You will have contact with your lender, your agent, and other professionals whose roles help get you into your home. These pros are also valuable resources on your journey home.

5 Easy Steps

Ready to apply? Here are 5 steps to follow as suggested by Freddie Mac:

Check your credit score and history.
Though the average FICO score for closed loans was 731 (September 2018 according to Ellie Mae), there are loan products for a wide range of scores. It’s just a good idea to know where you stand before applying.
Gather your documents.
You will need to be able to verify your income, which you can do with W-2 forms or tax returns, your credit history, and statements verifying cash assets (bank statements, investment statements, and the like).
Contact your loan officer!
Your loan officer can help you develop a spending plan, help you determine how much home you can afford,review your income, expenses and financial goals, and recommend a real estate agent who knows the market and will work for your best interests. With a pre-approval letter in hand, sellers will see your offer as legitimate, and will be more likely to accept. You may get pre-approved by your loan officer. Don’t have one? Find yours today!Meet our team or contact us today!That’s me! Contact me today, or Apply Now!
Contact your real estate agent.
Your real estate agent can help you find the right home for you in your price range, be your advocate in pricing negotiations, and be a great source of advice in the specifics of what you’re looking for in a home, neighborhood, and location.

Take Action

Armed with the information above, you are ready to start doing your own research. Just remember to know how much house you can afford, stick to your budget, and be mentally and emotionally prepared. Making dreams come true takes a little effort and responsibility. At Benchmark, we are here to help make it as easy as it can be.

Ready to get started? Apply now. Want to explore your options? Find your loan officer and contact them today!Contact us today!Contact me today!

Benchmark Introduces the Medical Doctor Loan Program

by jacymh

Benchmark understands that life moves quickly, especially if you’re in the medical field. That’s why we go the extra mile to accommodate your busy schedule and unique financial outlook.

Benchmark is now offering a program geared specifically toward doctors! The program is for borrowers with a medical license who would like to use future income to get a home now. It allows for up to 95% loan-to-value with a minimum credit score of 680. Individuals with student loan payment debt, have the potential to exclude student loan payments when calculating loan-to-value if you have a minimum credit score of 720, and your student loan payments are in deferment or forbearance a minimum of 12 months after the note date.

To be eligible, at least one borrower on the loan must have one of the following designations, and they must start employment within 60 days of closing:

Medical Resident
Medical Doctor (MD)
Doctor of Dental Science (DDS)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and dental surgeons specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery
Doctor of Optometry (OD)/Doctor of Ophthalmology (MD)
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)

Let Benchmark make the process of buying a home easy. We will be with you every step of the way home.

Are Free Credit Score Offers Really Free?

by bmadmin

If you spend any time online, you have surely seen the many ads offering free credit scores. I also get several pieces of junk mail in my mailbox and see a lot of commercials for these different services. It sounds like a good deal, except credit scores are never really “free”. You will pay one way or the other for these advertised businesses.

To get your credit rating from one of these companies, you will have to sign up for one of their services, usually a credit monitoring service. It is not necessarily a bad idea to have one of these services running in the background. It can help protect you from identity theft, and alert you anytime your credit is checked by businesses that want to offer you a pre-approved credit card or loan.

If you do not want to join those credit monitoring programs, you can pay a one-time fee to see your credit score on the official FICO website.

There are two ways to receive your credit report for free:

1. Lender denies you credit. A new law that went into effect in 2011 makes your report available anytime you are denied credit. You will probably have to submit something in writing to receive your report but by law they are required to supply it to you. This is a good thing for consumers put in that unfortunate position, as it will eliminate any mystery surrounding a consumer’s credit rating. You will not see your score but you will be able to verify the validity of the information on your report.

2. AnnualCreditReport.com. This free service from the Federal Trade Commission offers a once-per-year service to help consumers stay abreast of their credit report. This is a great opportunity to verify any new marks and ensure there are no mistakes you need to dispute. Your credit score will not be included in the free report but you will have the opportunity to purchase the score or view your free report.

The very best thing you can do is maintain the finest credit history you can. The higher the credit score, the lower the interest rate in many cases, especially when it comes to credit cards and auto loans.

If you must know your actual credit score, go ahead and pay to get it.

Here are the websites for the Big 3 credit companies:

Experian.com

TransUnion.com

Equifax.com