Yesterday, we discussed the belief Americans have in homeownership and their desire to partake in this piece of the American Dream. We also discussed some of the obstacles preventing them from attaining that goal. However, studies have shown that that many of the obstacles mentioned are perceived, not real.
A recent study by Fannie Mae, What Do Consumers Know About The Mortgage Qualification Criteria?, revealed that many consumers are either unsure or misinformed regarding the minimum requirements necessary to obtain a mortgage. Let’s break down three such challenges.
Down Payment
Perceptions
Many renters have mentioned that the lack of an adequate down payment is preventing them from moving forward with the purchase of a home. According to the Fannie Mae report:
- 40% of all renters don’t know what down payment is required
- 15% think you need at least 20% down
- An additional 4% think you need at least 10% down
The Reality
There are programs offered by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA that require as little as 3-3.5% down. VA and USDA loans offer 0% down programs. According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical down payment for a first time buyer is 6%.
Credit Score
Perceptions
Many renters have mentioned that the lack of an adequate credit score is preventing them from moving forward with the purchase of a home. According to the Fannie Mae report:
- 54% of all renters don’t know what credit score is required
- 5% think you need at least a 740 credit score
The Reality
Many mortgages are granted to purchasers with a credit score of less than 700. According to Ellie Mae, the average credit score on a closed FHA purchase is 687 and the average credit score on all loans is 722.
Back End Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
Perceptions
Many renters have mentioned that they carry too much debt which is preventing them from moving forward with the purchase of a home. According to the Fannie Mae report:
- 59% of all renters don’t know what DTI is acceptable
- 25% think you need at under 25%
- 7% think you need under 39%
The Reality
Lenders like to see a back-end ratio that does not exceed 36%. Fannie Mae’s maximum total DTI ratio is 36% of the borrower’s stable monthly income. The maximum can be exceeded up to 45% based on credit score and other requirements.
Bottom Line
A lack of knowledge or misinformation may be keeping some families from buying a home even though they are actually qualified to purchase.