Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (2024)


Waiting Periods and Extenuating

Circ*mstancesAfter a Short Sale,

Foreclosure, Bankruptcy

I wrote a while back about the Fannie Mae announcement regarding the extension of the waiting period for Buyers hoping to become Homeowners once again after having experienced a Short Sales (Pre-Foreclosures).

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (1)

The waiting period is extended to 4 years ... regardless of Loan-to-Value considerations (or Down Payment percentages).

Naturally, there was a wide range of reactions to Fannie Mae's announcement. There were also many questions asked in regards to the change and to my post. I'm addressing some of those questions here.

I'm also featuring info regarding those exceptions seen as viable hardships/options for Short Sales ... and the financing options that remain available for new potential Home Buyers having faced this situation.

Quite a few questions were raised regarding FHA and VA waiting periods. Both FHA and VA have shorter waiting periods.

As a general rule:

  • VA allows financing two (2) years after a Short Sale
  • FHA requires a three (3) year waiting period


Exceptions to the rules include:

  • Shorter waiting periods for VA and FHA loans are possible if the Mortgage Payment History is perfect (NO late payments. But this rarely occurs.)
  • Conventional Loans can be achieved two (2) years out AFTER an Extenuating Circ*mstance.


An Extenuating Circ*mstance is defined by Fannie Mae as:

  • B3-5.3-08: Extenuating Circ*mstances for Derogatory Credit (04/01/2009)


Extenuating circ*mstances are defined as:

  • Nonrecurring events that are beyond the borrower’s control that result in a sudden, significant, and prolonged reduction in income or a catastrophic increase in financial obligations.


If a borrower claims that derogatory information is the result of extenuating circ*mstances, the lender must substantiate the borrower’s claim.

Examples of documentation that can be used to support extenuating circ*mstances include documents that confirm the eventsuch as:



  • A copy of a Divorce Decree
  • Medical reports or bills
  • Notice of job layoff, job severance papers, etc.


And documents that illustrate factors that contributed to the borrower’s inability to resolve the problems that resulted from the event, such as:

  • A copy of Insurance Papers or Claim Settlements
  • Property Listing Agreements
  • Lease Agreements
  • Tax Returnscovering the periods prior to, during, and after a Loss of Employment
  • Etc. ...


The lender must obtain a letter from the borrower explaining the relevance of the documentation. The letter must support the claims of extenuating circ*mstances, confirm the nature of the event that led to the bankruptcy or foreclosure-related action, and illustrate the borrower had no reasonable options other than to default on their financial obligations.

FHA also has a 1-Year "Back to Work" Program ...
(See my post "Good News for Many Hopeful 2014 Home Buyers: FHA's "Back to Work - Extenuating Circ*mstances" Program").

The FHA program allows financing after a significant economic event. Think instances such as job loss, company shut-down, significant pay cuts.

I obviously can't address all the many and different possibilities and individual scenarios that customers might face within this post. But I do want to stress this important fact:



Each situation is unique. Each situation is subject to review.


And that's good news!Why?

Because that means there's no blanket, ready-made decision regarding a customer's individual financial situation. Each potential buyer has the opportunity to fully explain their personal "Extenuating Circ*mstances" and prove that moving forward, they'll be a responsible Mortgage holder that meets their monthly Mortgage Payment obligations.

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy ...

Bottomline:

Ever-changing guidelines make it vitally important that Buyers/Borrowers find and work with an experienced, knowledgeable, and resourceful Loan Officer when considering a Mortgage.

This is especially true when they've previously faced the challenges of a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Deed-in-Lieu of, Bankruptcy, or any other significant credit challenge.

In Chicagoland - IL & WI, that Mortgage Originator is Gene Mundt. Experience counts greatly at this time ...

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (2)

* Hoping to become a Homeowner again after experiencing a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Deed-in-Lieu of, Bankruptcy, or other financial/credit upheaval?

Contact Me today! I'll put my 40+ years of Mortgage experience hard to work on your behalf.
I'm easily found at:


Gene Mundt


Mortgage Originator - NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. #031.0006220 - WI License #216987

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp

NMLS #175656

Direct: 815.524.2280

Cell/Text: 708.921.6331

eFax: 815.524.2281

gmundt@goapmc.com

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (4)

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (6)Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (7)Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (8)Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (9)

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (10)

Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: Conventional, FHA,
VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and
the greater Chicagoland region, including:

The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan,
Joliet, Lockport, Channahon, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Bolingbrook,
Romeoville, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, the City of Chicago,
Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI.

Referrals are Welcomed and Appreciated!

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy (2024)

FAQs

Waiting Periods and Extenuating Circ*mstances After a Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy? ›

A four-year waiting period is required from the completion date of the deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, preforeclosure sale, or charge-off as reported on the credit report or other documents provided by the borrower. A two-year waiting period is permitted if extenuating circ*mstances can be documented.

What are the extenuating circ*mstances for mortgage after bankruptcy? ›

Extenuating Circ*mstances May Shorten the Wait

With documented hardships, conventional lenders may approve borrowers after a shorter waiting period. The most commonly accepted types of extenuating circ*mstances include: Divorce or death of a spouse. Loss of employment not due to termination for cause.

What are considered extenuating circ*mstances for foreclosure? ›

Extenuating circ*mstances are nonrecurring events that are beyond the borrower's control that result in a sudden, significant, and prolonged reduction in income or a catastrophic increase in financial obligations.

What is the waiting period for a conventional loan after a short sale? ›

Minimum waiting period to get a mortgage after a short sale

Conventional loan – You could qualify for a conventional loan after a short sale in as little as two years, but you'll likely need to demonstrate “extenuating circ*mstances” that led to the sale, such as job loss.

What does FHA consider extenuating circ*mstances? ›

FHA considers serious illness or death of a wage earner extenuating circ*mstances that justify a previous foreclosure. The borrower must have re-established good credit since the foreclosure.

What are some extenuating circ*mstances? ›

For example: Medical issues (including mental health/wellbeing) Death of a close friend or relative. Personal problems e.g. divorce, burglary, fire, major court proceedings, financial difficulties.

What are extenuating circ*mstances for FHA bankruptcy Chapter 7? ›

The FHA recognizes that sometimes, events beyond an individual's control lead to bankruptcy. These events, referred to as 'extenuating circ*mstances,' could include serious illness, death of a wage earner, or a natural disaster, among others. In such cases, the FHA may consider reducing the bankruptcy waiting period.

How do you prove extenuating circ*mstances? ›

Extenuating Circ*mstances
  1. documents that confirm the event. such as a copy of a divorce decree, medical reports or bills, notice of job layoff, job severance papers, etc.; and.
  2. documents that illustrate factors that contributed to the borrower's inability to resolve the problems that resulted from the event.

What is the 37 day foreclosure rule? ›

If a borrower submits a complete loss mitigation application after the servicer has made the first foreclosure notice or filing but more than 37 days before a foreclosure sale, the servicer cannot conduct a foreclosure sale or move for foreclosure judgment or sale unless one of the following occurs: (i) the servicer ...

What are the exceptions to the 120 day foreclosure rule? ›

The 120-day rule doesn't apply in the following situations: If the borrower violated a due-on-sale clause. (Many loan contracts contain a “due-on-sale” provision, which states that if the borrower transfers the property's title to a new owner, then the lender may accelerate the full loan balance.

Does a short sale stay on a borrower's record? ›

In many cases, you'll be able to obtain a mortgage for a new home in two years, and even less time if you continued paying the mortgage until your house sold, as opposed to five to seven years after a foreclosure. Short sales, like foreclosures, can remain on your credit report for as long as seven years.

Why would a lender deny a short sale? ›

A lender may refuse to approve a short sale in the following circ*mstances: 1) if the homeowner is not in default on mortgage payments yet; 2) if they believe more money can be recovered from foreclosing on the property; 3) if there is a cosigner they can hold responsible for payment.

How long does it take to settle a short sale? ›

Real Estate Short Sale Process. The short sale process has multiple steps, and it's common for a short sale to take 4-6 months to complete from the time the offer is accepted, and in rare cases, even longer. Below are the steps commonly found within the short sale process.

What is due to extenuating circ*mstance? ›

Extenuating circ*mstances–also called mitigating factors–are facts or details that are important for fully understanding a situation. With this understanding, the actions a person took in that event might be viewed as less severe, or that person's culpability in those actions diminished.

Can you get an FHA loan after a foreclosure? ›

If you've gone through a foreclosure, you might qualify for a new FHA-insured mortgage loan after waiting three years. After a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the waiting period is generally two years. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you might be able to get a new FHA-insured mortgage before you complete the plan.

What is the FHA 12 month rule? ›

FHA First Mortgage

Borrower must have owned property for 12 months AND if encumbered by a mortgage made payments for the last 12 months within the month due.

Why do I have to wait 2 years after bankruptcy to buy a house? ›

You can buy a house one to two years after filing for bankruptcy if you rebuild credit and avoid new debt. Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will show on your credit report and negatively affect your credit score, but that does not mean you can't own a home while you work to improve your credit.

What happens if you declare bankruptcy and have a mortgage? ›

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out your financial debt, including your mortgage, but you could lose your house. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is more of a reorganization, and you can even catch up on payments as long as these are included in your plan.

What are mitigating circ*mstances? ›

Mitigating circ*mstances are any serious circ*mstances beyond your control which may have adversely affected your academic performance. These include but are not limited to: Medical conditions. Personal and domestic circ*mstances.

How do I get my mortgage back on my credit report after bankruptcy? ›

If you sign a reaffirmation agreement with a secured creditor, then they will usually report your payments to the credit bureaus after the bankruptcy. This is usually a good idea for first mortgages, but not necessarily a good idea for second mortgages and car loans.

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