Monday, January 26, 2009

No Doc Stated Income Loans

By Pat Johnson

If you own your own business, are self employed or get most of your income from commissioned sales, then you have probably run into trouble when applying for credit. Specifically when you are looking for mortgage refinance options you have difficulty being approved because you can't prove your income by traditional means. Financial institutions are beginning to realize this problem and are coming out with unique solutions called stated income loans and lines of credit.

If you want to borrow against the equity in your home you may be eligible for a stated income line of credit. The lender will not require you to provide proof of your income, but instead will take your word for it. Then, once approved, they account will be administered like any other.

Small business owners are able to reduce their taxable income by claiming legitimate business expenses. This presents a problem when it comes to qualifying for loans and mortgages as their taxable income often falls below what is required to be approved for additional credit. The stated income lending products resolve this.

The lender does not ask to see pay stubs, W2s or other income documents. What they require instead however is very strong credit. Your credit rating needs to be well above average to offset the additional risk the lender takes by not verifying your income.

The interest rate is often a little higher as well. It is not drastically higher, but again the lender is taking on additional risk and prices the product accordingly. There may be additional fees as well.

Some financial institutions will also put criteria on how long the applicant needs to have been in business. The may also include other factors such as payment shock, where the new payment can not be more than fifteen percent of your existing shelter payment. Essentially, because they are opening themselves up to additional risk by not verifying income, they endeavor to ensure that you are as strong as possible in all other areas of the approval criteria.

You can meet with a broker or search online for a mortgage lender that offers stated income products. It is encouraging to know that the financial institutions are taking the unique needs of the small business owner seriously. You might just have to work a little to search them out. - 15485

About the Author: