Changes for MN Housing programs

Minnesota Housing has announced some changes to their programs.   One of the changes that will help people affects the pricing for MN Housing loans. Both FHA and conventional loans will now give you a choice between a 1% origination fee and no origination fee- the difference is in the interest rate. With a 1% origination fee, the rate will be a bit lower – typically .125-25% lower than those without the origination fee. This way you can choose between lower closing costs or a lower rate. Talk to your loan officer and decide which way is better for you. One of the main decisions will be based on how long you think you will keep this home.

Fannie Mae made some changes to their Home Ready program and that allowed MN Housing to make changes to the HFA preferred programs.  Those that are looking to use the Step Up program to purchase another home may have ownership interest in another home.  In the past you could not own another home and purchase a new one using these programs.  Now you can keep your current home and buy a new home using the Step Up program as long as you use the HFA preferred or HFA preferred Risk Sharing options.  If you are buying a home and want to use the Start Up program, you may have ownership interest in a property, but you cannot have lived in the homefor the past three years. So if you have an interest in a cabin or maybe you have a home you have rented out for the past three years, you can still qualify for the Start Up first time homebuyer program.  You will have to prove that you have lived in another home for the past three years.

MN Housing will also allow borrowers to go up to a 50% debt to income ratio with the HFA preferred program if their credit score is 660 or higher. For those with a 640 credit score, the max DTI is 45%.  MN Housing had a minimum credit score of 660 until this update for conventional loans.  FHA still requires a minimum 660 credit score, VA and RD loans may go to 640. All these loans will need to be run through an automated underwriting system.  

Each lender that offers MN Housing loans has the option to put overlays on these requirements. We may see lenders keep the 660 credit score requirement and they may also keep the 45% debt to income requirement. You will want to check with your loan officer to see if they can offer the lower credit scores.  It may also be on a case to case basis, depending on the individual loan.

Leslie Vanderwerf,  NMLS ID#335509, American Mortgage & Equity Consultants, Inc, An Equal Housing Lender, NMLS#150953 - Email - Website

 

Written By

Currently a Senior Loan Officer at Cross Country Mortgage LLC, it's hard to believe I have been in the mortgage business for more than 25 years and have worked with Sharlene since 2000! I love sharing mortgage insights here each week and helping people finance their homes. Listening helps me find the right program for you!

Related Posts

FHA Inspections

🖨 Print ArticleI get a lot of questions about FHA Inspections, and it's about time I sat down and blogged about it.  Here are the most common questions I get...

Subscribe to Our Newsletter for Market Updates & Mid-Century Modern Listings

Our weekly HomesMSP Update includes current local market information and a curated list of mid-century modern properties for sale, plus posts from an inspector, a lender, a stager, info about neighborhoods, life in the Twin Cities… even recipes!

Hidden

Blog Categories

Archives

Sharon and John Hensrud

About Us

The HomesMSP Team is committed to meeting you where you are and listening… really listening to understand you so we can use our extensive knowledge of the market and local neighborhoods to give you personalized service.