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Since stated loans are near extinct - Self employed loans can be frustrating

By
Mortgage and Lending with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Nevin NMLS #69651

stack of papersSelf employed borrowers applying for a mortgage loan can get frustrated because a lot of loan officers don't understand how to accurately read tax returns.

Fannie Mae is the largest purchaser of conventional mortgage loans.  Since stated income loans no longer exsist it's important to know their requirements.

Here are the guidelines from Fannie Mae:

Income from self employment is considered stable, and effective, if the borrower has been self employed for two or more years. 

Due to the high probability of failure during the first few years of a business, the requirements described below are necessary for borrowers who have been self employed for less than two years.


If the period of self employment is between one and two years:  To be eligible for a mortgage loan, the individual must have at least two years of documented previous successful employment in the line of work in which the individual is self employed, or in a related occupation.

Note: A combination of one year of employment and formal education or training in the line of work in which the individual is self employed or in a related occupation is also acceptable.  If less than one year then the income from the borrower may not be considered effective income. 

Speaking of income, the method for calculating self employed income is much different than that of a wage earner.  Not calculating income correctly can cause your loan to be denied by an underwriter.

Self employed borrowers need a company with qualified loan officers that know how to read self employed tax returns and make a determination of your eligibility before you pay for home inspections or appraisals. Since stated income loans are near impossible to find this is critical.  Look no further because we can help!

Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Nevin, The first thing I do when speaking to a Self Employeed borrower is ask them for their returns...

I have not met a self employeed borrower that actually knows how much income they declare!  I am thankful that I grew up in the business in the full doc world - so many LO's (even ones with 10yrs exp) were never taught how to read a tax return!

Jun 22, 2011 05:09 AM
Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166
Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

 

Thanks for this explanation for self-employed persons.  Since the market has change many people have started to work for themselves and don't quite get how their tax returns can affect their ablility to secure a mortgage.  The deductions that they are so happy to take can  really get them in the end.

Jun 22, 2011 09:07 AM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Nevin - Like Rob, I too "grew up" in a full doc world and always review the tax returns and schedules before determining a self employed borrowers eligibility.

Jun 22, 2011 02:25 PM
Nevin Williams
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC
Senior Mortgage Advisor

Robert - This is why you are still in business!

Michele - This is so true!  Write everything off and write off your ability to qualify for home financing too!

Tagrid - Please make our law makers and the Federal Reserve polivy makers understand this!

Donne - You are one of the best loan offiers I have the pleasure of knowing.  I believe that your potential future customers will lose out big time if you ever decide to leave the business.

Jun 22, 2011 02:35 PM
Kevin Kueneke
Caliber Home Loans - Encinitas, CA
San Diego Mortgage Banker

Nevin, great post.  Stated income loans were fine as a niche product, but once they became mainstream all bets were off.  Knowing how to read a tax return, whether personal or corporate, is part of Loan Officer 101.  Shame on those that do not know how!

Are you ever in your Carlsbad branch?  We should hook up sometime.

Jun 23, 2011 12:07 AM
Nevin Williams
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC
Senior Mortgage Advisor

Kevin - I am only there if a client wants to meet me and I happen to be in San Diego at that time.  I'm a branch recruiter for my company so I travel frequently and am on the East Coast (North Carolina) most of the time and also spend a lot of time in Seattle.   When I am out of town I have my clients meet with my business partner Joe Feinhandler in our El Cajon branch office.

Jun 23, 2011 02:21 AM
Nevin Williams
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC
Senior Mortgage Advisor

Kevin - Let me know a good time for you and let's meet up.

Jun 23, 2011 02:21 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I think I have worked with only one self employed financed buyer in the last several years.  We also have problems here because so many workers rely on tips. 

Great primer for the self employed who are looking to get a mortgage!

Jul 02, 2011 03:56 AM
Nevin Williams
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC
Senior Mortgage Advisor

Renee - Thank you and have a nice 4th of July!

Jul 02, 2011 07:13 AM