Mortgage fees are changing. Here’s what you should know.

Mortgage fees are changing for homebuyers next month. Here’s what you should know.

Mortgage fees are changing. Here’s what you should know. Starting May 1, upfront fees for loans guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be adjusted because of changes in the Loan Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs). These are the fees that vary from borrower to borrower.  They are based on their credit scores, down payments, types of home, and more.

What are the fee changes?

The entire matrix of fees based on credit score and down payment has been updated. If you have a top credit score, you’ll still pay less. However, the penalty now for having a lower credit score will be smaller than it was before May 1. For example, if you have a score of 659 and are borrowing 75% of the home’s value, you’ll pay a fee equal to 1.5% of the loan balance. Before these changes, you would have paid a 2.75% fee.

On the other end, if you have a credit score of 740 or higher, you would have paid a 0.25% fee on a loan for 75% of your home value before May 1. After that date, you could pay as much as 0.375%.

What loans do these fees apply to?

Any loan that’s guaranteed by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, regardless of the lender.

Why are these changes being made?

These changes are part of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s broader examination of fees. The aim is to provide “equitable and sustainable access to homeownership” and shore up capital at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Are these positive changes?

It depends on which side of the spectrum you land. While people with higher credit scores will benefit from the changes, people with lower credit scores may end up paying more.

“I can see both sides,” said Hakan Wildcat, mortgage area manager in Kansas for Guardian Mortgage. “Are there going to be people who qualify for a loan but maybe shouldn’t? Maybe, but that’s probably a very small percentage,” he said.  Then added,”But I can see at the end of the day, money is money and if you have great credit, why should you be penalized?

“We’re going to have to see it in practice and see how it plays out but overall, the thought process is probably sound and good,” he said.

Other Changes on the Horizon

The Housing Finance Agency also plans a fee on August 1 for borrowers with at least a 40% debt-to-income ratio and 60% loan-to-value ratio.  This is calculated by how large your loan is compared with the value of your home. This fee was also supposed to take effect May 1 but was delayed after pushback from the industry.

As a standalone measure, debt-to-income ratio is not a reliable indicator of a borrower’s ability to repay, said the Mortgage Bankers Association, an industry group.

“A borrower’s income and expenses can change several times throughout the loan application and underwriting process,” wrote Bob Broeksmit, Mortgage Bankers Association president and chief executive, in a recent blog post. “This is especially true in today’s labor market, which is shaped by the growth in self-employment, part-time employment, and gig economy employment.” This would “create complications and problems for borrowers and lenders alike.”

The debt-to-income ratio fee will also likely affect a larger group of potential buyers, Wildcat said. “A lot of people fall above 40% debt-to-income ratio, and this is going to impact their purchasing power.”

Wondering how this might effect you? Let’s connect!

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