Without the existence of mortgages, relatively few Americans would be able to realize their dreams of homeownership. So, when submitting a home loan application, you’d do well to remember that a lot hinges on lender approval. Needless to say, considering how much money is at stake with the typical home loan, lenders typically aren’t keen on making unwise bets. As such, homebuyers preparing to start submitting loan applications should familiarize themselves with some of the most common reasons for rejection.
Poor Credit
It should come as no surprise that poor credit can be a huge detriment to mortgage loan approval. After all, if you have a history of failing to pay off debt, many lenders are liable to conclude that you won’t be able to keep up with monthly mortgage payments. So, if your intent is to make yourself an attractive borrower, take care to get your credit in order before proceeding to submit any loan applications.
When trying to maximize your chances of loan approval, you’ll want to have the lowest possible debt-to-income ratio. This means getting your credit card debt as close to zero as you possibly can – if not paying it off entirely. This also entails paying off any bills that have been sent to collections in full. Virginians who are looking for Virginia Beach mortgage lenders would do well to get a handle on outstanding credit card debt before proceeding to apply for loans.
You should also abstain from submitting mortgage loan applications immediately after paying down your credit card debt, as your credit score needs time to recover. Furthermore, avoid adding to your debt throughout the loan application process. So, if the need to make any large purchases arises during this time, either pay for them in cash, put them off or borrow money from a trusted friend or family member.
Lack of Credit History
Just as a troubled credit history can hinder your chances of loan approval, so too can a lack of a credit history. While you may view having no credit history as a positive, most mortgage lenders are unlikely to share this opinion. If you’ve never had to make monthly payments or purchase anything on credit, lenders won’t have any evidence of your trustworthiness or reliability with regard to financial obligations. So, unless you have a good cosigner, it’s generally recommended that you take the time to build your credit history before proceeding to apply for a mortgage loan.
Insufficient Down Payment
The higher your down payment is, the better your odds of approval are likely to be. Putting forth a high down payment illustrates a firm commitment to homeownership, as well as a strong sense of financial responsibility. As an added bonus, a large down payment stands to lower the cost of your monthly mortgage payments. The more you put down at the outset, the less you’ll have left to pay off.
On the flipside, a low down payment will have the opposite effect. Low payments often give off the impression that borrowers aren’t particularly serious about buying homes and aren’t in a great place financially. So, if you’re hoping to wow lenders from the outset, try to muster up the largest down payment possible.
Lack of Regular Income
It’s only natural that mortgage lenders would regard regular income with importance. After all, if someone isn’t making money consistently, how are they going to keep up with monthly mortgage payments, home insurance, property taxes and other house-related expenses? Of course, this isn’t to say that regular income has to come from a traditional job. Pensions, trust funds and strong investment portfolios may also be viewed as acceptable sources of income. So, if you’re currently without a consistent source of income, it’s strongly recommended that you find one in advance of applying for a mortgage loan.
Since mortgages serve as a gateway to homeownership for countless Americans, all homebuyers should approach the loan application process with seriousness. While it’s not unusual to be approved for a mortgage loan on one’s first attempt, it’s also very common for applications to be denied for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, educating yourself on these reasons can help prevent you from inadvertently sabotaging yourself during the application process. So, if you’re looking to get approved for a good mortgage loan posthaste, be mindful of the factors discussed above.
