When economic war ravaged the real estate market a decade ago, statistics show that peak foreclosure activity in the US occurred somewhere in 2010. We continued to experience an elevated level through at least 2013, which means that as I write this post in late 2019, almost the entire rat is through the seven-year snake. That waiting period — 7 years — is the gold standard after a foreclosure. So what do those looking to reenter the housing market need to know? What about if they need something other than an FHA mortgage? Let’s look.
What is a Foreclosure?
When it comes to “letting a house go” we could say that a foreclosure is the equivalent of the homeowner’s “nuclear option.” Basically, an atom bomb is dropped on the owner’s credit and when the dust settles, which could take months if not years, there’s not a trace of the home he once owned. Though the legal foreclosure proceedings vary from state to state, a foreclosure is ultimately what happens when the owner of a mortgaged property stops paying and takes no other legal or financial steps. Ultimately, a notice of default will be filed on the property and absent drastic measures to restore payment on any lien attached to the title, the lender will end up selling the property via a foreclosure sale.
What Happens After a Foreclosure?
With a history of foreclosure (or “deed in lieu”) on one’s credit report, conforming loan guidelines state that a buyer re-entering the market must wait seven years before obtaining a new mortgage. If using an FHA loan program, that waiting period is cut to three years. In the case of jumbo mortgages, however, the waiting period will be established by the actual investor — the entity that provides the loan. Because of this, the institution/investor can set its own rules about the seasoning required. They can also set rules about how a foreclosure is qualified. Was it due to financial mismanagement? Strategically done to avoid consequences of the market falling further? Or, was it done due to a legitimate hardship on the part of the borrower? Each of these might be viewed differently by any investor and the waiting period might change accordingly. The best advice I can give is that if you experienced extenuating circumstances (death, loss of job, etc.), ask how this could impact your options because several of our best-priced investors will reduce the typical 7-year wait in these cases.
Sorting Out Second Chances
At Guaranteed Rate, one of our strongest suits is that we have multiple jumbo investors available for most scenarios. We will see our strongest-priced jumbo investors re-enter the market for the buyer with a foreclosure also at the 7-year mark — identical to conforming. But below you’ll find some of the other tiers of available as the loan-to-value (LTV) increases or decreases, the loan amount goes up in size, and the FICO score factors into the picture:
5% Down Payment
We require a three-year seasoning period and will go to a loan amount of $1.5MM (purchase price of $1.58MM). For this program, we’ll need a 720 FICO and 9 months of reserves.
10% Down Payment
We require a three-year seasoning period and will go to a loan amount of $2MM (purchase price of $2.23MM). Like with the 5% down program above, we’ll need a 720 FICO and 9 months of reserves. If both your FICO score is lower (to 680) and your loan size is smaller (to $1MM), we’ll then permit a 4-year seasoning on the foreclosure but require 6 months of reserves.
20% Down Payment
All of the investors above are in, plus several others with varying FICO and reserve requirements, even down to a 661 credit score with a maximum loan amount of $1.5MM (purchase price of $1.875MM).
The jumbo mortgage market is inherently more complex than conforming or FHA and because of this, your jumbo lender needs to have the options and expertise that will accommodate the demands of getting a new home loan post-foreclosure. But purchasing a home with a history of a foreclosure is indeed possible. We understand the requirements, restrictions and tips of the trade that facilitate many of the best second chance options in existence. Maybe more importantly, my experience as a loan advisor covers a time period before, during and after the real estate recession. I reserve no judgment for what happened in that very different market. Instead of looking back and telling buyers what they can’t do, I see it as my responsibility to look forward and help them do what they can to realize the benefits of ownership again.
Bombs away,
Robert J. Spinosa
Vice President of Mortgage Lending
Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343
rob.spinosa@rate.com
Marin Office: 324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA 94960
Berkeley Office: 1400 Shattuck Ave., Suite 1, Berkeley, CA 94709
*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate. In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate’s Human Resources Department.
Guaranteed Rate. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee NMLS License #2611 3940 N. Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613 – (866) 934-7283
