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Why Do I Need a Letter of Explanation?

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Mortgage and Lending with Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 NMLS #151088

In today's ever changing lending environment, there are still underwriting requirements that many borrowers do not understand the need for.  Letters of explanation have become much more commonplace in today's mortgage approval process in the last 3 years.  A letter of explanation can be required to explain a variety of issues. 

Some of the most common needs for a letter of explanation are:

  • Credit inquiries
  • Derogatory items or late payments on credit report
  • Previous bankruptcy
  • Previous foreclosure
  • Job gap
  • Living rent free
  • Motivation to purchase a new home when current home has not been sold
  • Large deposits

These letters give the underwriters a clearer picture of each borrowers individual situation.  The letters also give back up if fraud or misrepresentation is later discovered.  This is especially true in the case of the motivation letter should occupancy fraud exist. 

The credit inquiry letter is to attest to whether or not you have obtained or applied for any new credit recently.  Having open accounts that are not yet on a borrower's credit report impacts their debt to income ratio.  The underwriter is required to factor in any new minimum monthly payments for the new trade line.

When obtaining a mortgage, don't be surprised if you get asked to write a letter.  It is very rare these these when at least one explanation is not required.

 

 

 

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It is always advisable to consult with a knowledgeable lending professional when navigating today's turbulent mortgage and real estate marketplace.  I am committed, qualified and equipped to help you evaluate your options!

 

Also check out:

Conventional Financing Mortgage Program Overview/Updates

FHA Financing Mortgage Program Overview/Updates

USDA Financing Mortgage Program Updates  

 

Programs Include:

 

  • Conventional (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac)

  • FHA, USDA, & VA

  • Jumbo to $3,000,000

  • Bank Statement Program for Self-Employed Borrowers

  • Foreign National Program

  • Investor Cash Flow

  • Non-Warrantable Condos

  • Renovation - FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation, & VA Renovation

 

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  • Rodney Mason is a Licensed Branch Manager located in Atlanta, GA.   He can be reached at (404) 591-2453.
  • Providing financing for all cities across Georgia including: Acworth, Albany, Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Blairsville, Bloomingdale, Blue Ridge, Bogart, Brunswick, Buckhead, Buford, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Clayton, College Park, Columbus, Commerce, Conyers, Covington, Cumming, Dahlonega,  Dacula, Dalton, Dawsonville, Decatur, Doraville, Douglasville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Fayetteville, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Greensboro, Hampton,  Hapeville, Hinesville, Hiram, Jackson, Jefferson, Jonesboro, Kennesaw, Lagrange, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Lithia Springs, Macon, Madison, Metter, Morganton, Morrow, Newnan, Norcross, Oakwood, Peachtree City, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Riverdale, Rome, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Savannah, Scottdale, Statesboro, Stockbridge, Stone Mountain, St Marys, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Thomasville, Thunderbolt, Tucker, Tybee Island, Valdosta, Waleska, Warner Robins, Waycross, Wilmington Island, Winder, Woodstock, and many more.

    Providing financing for all cities across Alabama including:
    Alabama Port, Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Boaz, Bridgeport, Cedar Bluff, Chickasaw, Clayton, Coden, Dauphin Island, Decatur, Dothan, Eufaula, Fairfield, Fairhope, Florence, Foley, Forestdale, Fort Morgan, Fort Payne,Gasden, Grand Bay, Gulf Shores, Heron Bay, Homewood, Hoover, Jasper, Josephine, Madison, Meadowbrook, Midfield, Mobile, Mon Louis, New Hope, Orange Beach, Oxford, Oyster Bay, Phenix City, Prichard, Rainbow City, Saraland, Satsuma, Scottsboro, Selma, Troy, Theodore, Tillmans Corner, Trussville, Tuscaloosa, Vestavia Hills, Warrior and many more.

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  • Providing financing for all cities across Florida including: Altamonte Springs, Atlantic Beach, Boca Raton, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Coral Springs, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Walton Beach, Gainesville, Hollywood, Homestead, Jacksonville, Jupiter, Key Largo, Key West, Lake City, Largo, Marathon, Mexico Beach, Miami, Naples, New Smyra Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Palm Coast, Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Pompano Beach, Port St Joe, Sanibel Island, Sanford, Sarasota, St Augustine, St Petersburg, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, & Winter Park, and many more.

 

  • Providing financing for all cities across South Carolina including: Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Bluffton, Charleston, Columbia, Conway, Edisto Island, Florence, Greenville, Hilton Head, Johns Island, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Rock, Hill, Spartanburg, Sullivans Island, Summerville, and many more.  
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    Providing financing for all cities across Tennessee including: Athens, Brentwood, Bristol, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Cleveland, Cookeville, Dyersburg, Franklin, Gatlinburg, Greeneville, Johnson City, Kingsport, Knoxville, Maryville, Memphis, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Newport, Oak Ridge, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and many more

 

All mortgage lending guidelines are accurate at time of post, but are subject to change without notice.  Please call for the most current information.

    

           

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