5 Benefits of Non-Conforming Loans – American Family Funding

A non-conforming loan is any loan that doesn’t adhere to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending guidelines. These government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) have certain rules that loans—referred to as “conforming loans”—have to meet regarding loan amount and credit score.

Other restrictions may also apply depending on the property, location, and other details of the transaction. If your loan is above the limit laid out by Fannie and Freddie, for example, it’s a non-conforming loan.

Aside from loan amounts, non-conforming loans are there to accommodate borrowers who fall outside the conforming loan criteria for a number of reasons. These rebel loans are also referred to as non–qualified mortgages or non-QMs.

Here’s a look at some of the advantages they bring to homebuyers.

1. Flexible Terms

It’s in the name: Non-conforming loans are here to go against the grain. As such, they offer more flexibility than traditional lending guidelines. The looser rules with non-conforming loans allow lenders to create loan programs that meet borrowers where they are.

2. More Purchasing Options

Non-conforming loans are doing their own thing, right? So it’s no surprise that these lending vehicles can fund a broader choice of homes than conforming loans. These include non-warrantable condos and co-ops, in addition to timeshares, fractional ownerships, units in assisted living communities, multi-unit condos, and units in projects that require a membership—such as a country club or golf course—before you can buy. Non-conforming loans can also be used to purchase a condo that is currently in litigation.

Assets like condos or co-ops are typically considered non-warrantable if:

• The project is still under construction
• Short-term rentals are allowed
• A single entity owns more than 10% of all the units
• The majority of the units are rented to non-owners
• The project’s developer has yet to turn over control of the HOA to the owners

Remember, when you buy a unit in a larger project, your credit status isn’t the only one lenders must take into account. They’ll need to assess the developer’s credit as well, and look at the project as a whole. For this reason, many borrowers within larger projects opt for non-conforming loans.

3. Credit Leniency

Non-conforming loan guidelines tend to have significantly more leeway when it comes to terms than conforming loans can offer. This extends to credit scores as well.

Conforming loans require a minimum credit score of 620. Do you know the credit score requirement for non-conforming loans? You’re right. They don’t have any. Thought we’d trick you on that one! Yes, non-conforming loans don’t conform to the rules on credit scores, either.

Now, this doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all out there in the non-conforming world. It simply means that lenders have more leeway over the credit terms than with more stringent loan programs.

Many borrowers with lower credit scores or credit report challenges seek out non-conforming loans for this reason. Since every loan program is different, you’ll want to discuss your unique financial situation, including your goals and any challenges and/or concerns you may have.

APM is happy to sit down with you and go over this before you apply to ensure that you know what your options are.

4. Looser Income Verification

Verifying your income is a pivotal part of the loan application process, particularly since your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) has such a large impact on whether or not you qualify for a loan.

This isn’t the case with non-conforming loans—or at least it doesn’t have to be. Income can be verified in a lot of non-traditional ways, such as bank statements or other documents—or it can not be verified at all depending on other factors of the transaction.

A non-conforming mortgage can take other parts of your financial picture into consideration, including your overall cash flow, home equity, and assets. For these reasons, non-conforming loans are often preferred by the self-employed and those who work on seasonal commissions.

These loans aren’t offered by all lenders, and they may come with additional terms, such as a higher interest rate or credit requirement, but they can be well worth it for borrowers who can’t qualify through the traditional route that involves income verification.

5. Lower Down Payments

Government-backed loans, including VA, USDA, and FHA loans, are also considered non-conforming. These loans tend to have lower down payment requirements than traditional conforming loans. In fact, VA loans can even offer $0 down, with FHA loans going as low as 3.5% down.

Jumbo loans, another type of non-conforming loan, can offer as little as 5% down, though most lenders require somewhere between 10% and 15%.

Getting the Best Deal on a Home Loan

You might have noticed “interest rate” was not one of the benefits listed above. That’s because this variable really depends on your situation and the type of non-conforming loan you’re applying for. Certain loan programs like VA and FHA can offer very attractive rates, while other programs, like a bank statement loan, carry higher rates in return for perks like limited income verification.

Like conforming loans, the terms you lock in for a non-conforming loan will be influenced by many factors. These include how much you want to borrow, the size of your down payment, your credit score, the exact loan program you apply for, and the type of property you want to purchase.

Santa Clarita mortgages lender American Family Funding can help you fulfill your dream of home ownership. A highly rated Santa Clarita mortgages lender, American Family Funding maintains a focus on community involvement and a commitment to giving back whenever possible. A friendly mortgage advisor will make the first time homebuyer experience an easy and stress-free experience — even with bad credit or a low down payment. The Santa Clarita home loan officers at American Family Funding also specialize in VA loans, reverse mortgages, refinancing and the STAR Loan Program.