DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines on FHA and VA Loans

Gustan Cho Associates are mortgage brokers licensed in 48 states

DTI manual underwriting guidelines on FHA and VA loans are similar. FHA and VA loans are the only two loan programs that allow manual underwriting on home mortgages. Many people often need clarification about the differences between manual and automated underwriting system (AUS)-approved files. Manual and AUS-approved underwriting is the same. However, with manual underwriting, a human mortgage underwriter will carefully manually underwrite the file. The maximum debt-to-income ratios are lower on manual versus automated underwriting system-approved loans.

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What Are The Major Differences Between Manual and Automated Underwriting?

The only major difference between manual and automated underwriting system-approved files is the debt-to-income ratio guidelines. Manual underwriting requires lower debt-to-income ratios than AUS-approved underwriting borrowers.

How high the debt-to-income ratio the borrower can go up to is determined by compensating factors and underwriter discretion.

On manual underwriting, the mortgage underwriter has major power via underwriter discretion. It is up to the mortgage underwriter to determine whether the borrower qualifies for a mortgage. The debt-to-income ratio is a major factor in approving manual underwriting borrowers.

What Is Manual Underwriting and How Does It Work?

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If you have been following our blogs, Gustan Cho Associates specializes in manual underwriting on FHA and VA loans. While most banks and mortgage companies do not allow manual underwriting, we do not have any LENDER OVERLAYS on government and conventional loans. A large percentage of our borrowers are manual underwriting homebuyers.

Is Getting a Loan Approval With Manual or Automated Underwriting System is more difficult?

Our mortgage underwriters want to make the deal work. They are not looking for excuses to kill a deal rather, they are trying to do everything possible to make the deal work. On manual underwriting borrowers, the recommended max debt-to-income ratio by HUD and the Veterans Administration (VA) is 40% front-end and 50% back-end debt-to-income ratio with two compensating factors.
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Mortgage Underwriter Discretion on Manual Underwrites

Mortgage underwriters can exceed the maximum DTI threshold via mortgage underwriter discretion if the underwriter believes the borrower is a good risk due to strong compensating factors. Due to our aggressive no-lender overlay business model platform, we can help more borrowers than most banks.

How do Mortgage Underwriters Calculate Debt-To-Income Ratios?

First, we must understand the definition of debt-to-income ratios. There are two separate ratios involved with debt to income. There is a “front-end” debt-to-income ratio and a “back-end” debt-to-income ratio. The front-end debt-to-income ratio is simply your housing payment divided by your total gross income. The back-end debt-to-income ratio is your housing payment plus all consumer debts divided by total gross income.

Case Scenario on How Underwriters Calculate DTI

Example:

  • A borrower makes $60,000 a year or $5,000 a month.

Borrowers debts:

  • The car payment $350.
  • Student loans $200.
  • Credit cards: $150.
  • Total debts = $700.

The new housing payment will be $1,750

  • Front end DTI: $1,750 / $5,000 = 35%.
  • Back end DTI: ($1,750 + $700) / $5,000 = 49%.

In this example, the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio is 35% / 49%.

Automated Underwriting System Approval Versus DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines

When you receive an automated AUS approval, your debt-to-income ratio may be higher versus when you manually underwrite. On VA loans, there are no true debt-to-income ratio requirements. Since we do not have any lender overlays, we have closed VA loans with back-end debt-to-income ratios over 62%. The key to getting an AUS approval with high debt-to-income ratios on VA loans is for the borrower to have strong residual income. With an FHA loan, the max back in debt to income ratio allowed is 56.9% per AUS findings. To go up to 56.9%, you typically need a strong credit score and at least one month of reserves.
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What Is Manual Underwriting Versus Automated Underwriting System Approval

What about manual underwriting? Manual underwriting is slightly different. The HUD 4001.1 Handbook clearly states debt-to-income ratio requirements for FHA manual underwriting mortgages. The requirements are different based on COMPENSATING FACTORS. Please click the link for more details. Below are the debt-to-income requirements for FHA manual underwriting.

  • NO CREDIT SCORE – DTI is capped at 31% / 43%
  • 500 – 579 credit score – DTI is capped at 31% / 43%
  • 580 and above – max DTI is 31% / 43% WITHOUT compensating factors
  • 580 and above – max DTI is 37% / 47% with ONE compensating factor
  • 580 and above – max DTI is 40% / 50% with at least TWO compensating factors

How Compensating Factors Impact DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines on FHA and VA Loans

A few examples of compensating factors are:

  • Three months of reserves (for 1–2 unit properties):
  • Six-month reserves (for 3–4 unit properties)
  • Low payment shock (housing payment does not increase by more than 5%)
  • Longevity on job
  • Residual income

DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines on VA Loans

VA mortgages are a little different regarding manual underwriting and debt-to-income ratios. While there is no true max debt-to-income ratio guideline, we have yet to approve a mortgage with a higher than 64% back-end ratio. The underwriter must be able to sign off that you can repay the mortgage comfortably.

How Underwriters Determine Borrower’s Ability To Repay New Housing Payment

The ability to repay act is an outcome of the real estate crash of 2008. When the government stepped in and overtook mortgage regulations, it introduced the Ability to Repay Act. Please see the CFPB Website for more information on the Ability To Repay Act. This is a step in the right direction for mortgage regulation. Now, each borrower must document they can repay their mortgage before qualifying for the loan.

With Lender With No Overlays on FHA and VA Loans

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Since other lenders have turned down most of our clients, they are often skeptical about starting the process with Gustan Cho Associates. This is why we encourage our clients to check out our amazing reviews. The team at Gustan Cho Associates is available to answer your questions seven days a week, in the mornings or evenings. We pride ourselves on training our loan officers to be up-to-date on mortgage guidelines. Most loan officers in this business want clients with a 700+ credit score with a significant down payment. Most of our clients do not fit into that category.

Who Chooses Whether A Homebuyer Needs Manual or Automated Underwriting?

FHA Manual Underwriting Guidelines apply for borrowers who cannot get an approve/eligible per AUS. Borrowers who get referred/eligible per Automated Underwriting System may be able to qualify for manual underwriting. Refer/Eligible per AUS means that the automated system cannot render automated approval and approve/eligible per DU FINDINGS.

Refer/eligible findings may be eligible to qualify for an FHA loan if a human mortgage underwriter underwrites it. Only FHA and VA loans allow for manual underwriting.

Conventional loans cannot be manually underwritten. The mortgage underwriter has a lot of underwriter discretion on manual underwriting files. The key to getting approved on manual underwrites is timely payments in the past 24 months.

What Does Manual Underwriting Mean?

Manual Underwriting means a mortgage underwriter will manually underwrite the FHA mortgage loan application. FHA and VA loans are the only two programs allowing manual underwriting. FHA and VA have similar agency mortgage guidelines on manual underwriting:

  • Scrutiny is placed on all manual underwriting home loans
  • The mortgage underwriter has a lot of power and discretion on manual underwrites
  • The risk level is higher for the lender on all manual underwrites versus AUS-approved findings

On manual underwriting, the mortgage underwriter carefully reviews the following information:

  • borrowers income
  • assets
  • liabilities
  • credit
  • credit scores
  • credit history

The ability to repay the new housing payment is always in the back of the mortgage underwriter’s mind. Underwriters will look for compensating factors the borrower has to offset the layered risk of manual underwrites.

How Mortgage Underwriters Analyze Derogatory Credit Tradelines

Mortgage underwriters will question derogatory credit information, public records, and debt-to-income ratios and look for compensating factors. Compensating factors are positive factors borrowers have to offset bad credit or less-than-perfect financial profiles.

What Are Compensating Factors on Manual Underwrites

Examples of compensating factors are the following:

All FHA Loans during and after Chapter 13 Bankruptcy discharge are all manual underwriting.  This is because the automated underwriting system does not render an automated approval until at least two years from the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy discharge date. Home buyers can qualify for a waiting period for an FHA Loan after the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy discharge date without any waiting period with a manual.

DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines on Reserves

On manual underwriting, the mortgage underwriter will likely want to see three months of reserves by the mortgage loan borrower. One month’s reserves are equivalent to one month’s P.I.T.I., which is principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees, if applicable.

HUD allows 100% gifted funds for the down payment and closing costs on a home purchase.

Reserves cannot be gifted and need to be the borrower’s funds. Reserves do not have to be liquid cash in bank accounts. Retirement and investment accounts can be used for reserves. Asset accounts such as IRAs, 401k, and securities investment accounts can be used for reserves.

Qualifying For a Manual Underwrite With a Lender With No Overlays

Home buyers need an aggressive mortgage lender with no mortgage overlays on government and conventional loans and specializing in manual underwriting. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-900-8569 or text us for a faster response. Or email us at alex@gustancho.com. We are specialists in both VA and FHA manual underwriting. We help many folks who just recently got a Chapter 13 bankruptcy discharge without any waiting period after the discharge date.

What Are FHA TBD Manual Underwriting Pre-Approvals

There Are Many Benefits of FHA TBD Manual Underwriting Guidelines as Pre-Approvals for Borrowers with bad credit or those considered marginal borrowers. At Gustan Cho Associates, we constantly expand the programs we offer our clients. We are excited to announce updates to our “To Be Determined” underwriting process. We can “TBD” underwrite manually underwritten mortgage loans.
Click here to get Pre-Approvals

FHA and VA Manual Underwriting Lending Experts And Mortgage Lenders

Gustan Cho Associates specializes in FHA and VA manual underwriting. We now have the ability to underwrite your file before you put an offer on a property.  We will detail and explain how manual underwriting works and the mortgage process on our TBD process for manually underwritten loans.

What Does FHA TBD Manual Underwriting Mean?

First, it is important to understand what a manual underwrite means. All lenders follow the same guidelines. Although some lenders add additional LENDER OVERLAYS, Gustan Cho Associates does not. We go off the agency guidelines and nothing further. When completing your automated underwriting system, the algorithm will determine your risk and qualifications based on the items you provide and your credit report.

Automated Underwriting System Findings (AUS Approval)

The automated underwriting system will factor in payment history, credit score, income, and assets/ reserves to calculate your qualifications. The automated underwriting system will produce a few different responses. The best possible outcome is called approve/eligible. Based on the information provided, your file has automated approval and is eligible for sale on the secondary market. Hence the terms, “approve” and “eligible”. For more on AUS, see our AUS BLOG.

DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines Versus Automated Underwriting System

The second-best outcome is referred/eligible. The first word refer to means you need to downgrade this file to a manually underwritten loan. Eligible still stands for being eligible for sale on the secondary market. Manual underwriting is when an underwriter needs to go through your file with a fine-tooth comb. The underwriter makes sure you qualify based on manual underwriting guidelines, which are more strict with income ratios and reserve requirements.

Refer/Eligible Versus Automated Approval Findings

Your AUS may receive refer/ineligible report. Once again, the first word, “refer,” means you may manually underwrite this loan. It did not get an automated approval. However, the second word, “ineligible,” means this loan is ineligible for sale on the secondary market, and the lender cannot close this file. The second word must say “eligible” to qualify. The file does not meet agency guidelines if the loan is not eligible for sale on the secondary market.

Case Scenario on DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines

This blog will focus on refer/eligible manually underwritten files. We do not expect you to know the automated underwriting system terminology. However, if your current lender has turned you down, having them send you your AUS report is a good idea. This will give us insight into what is holding back your qualifications. Below are a few tips for passing manual underwriting guidelines.

FHA Manual Underwriting Underwriting Analysis

This section will cover the important factors for FHA manual underwriting. Down Payment: Credit scores 500 – 579 need at least a 10% down payment. Credit scores 580 and higher need at least a 3.5% down payment. Gift funds are allowed for the down payment and gift funds. However, mortgage underwriters do not view gift funds favorably.

Importance of Timely Payments in the Past 12 Months

Importance of on-time payments. Installment debts and housing payments must be current. You cannot have any 30-day late payments in the previous 12 months and no more than 2×30-day late payments in the previous 24 months.

If you were more than 30 days late in the past 24 months, you must wait until that late payment is processed. Installment debt includes auto payments, personal loans, and student debt.

The installment account has the same payment every month. So, you know what to pay. This is why guidelines are not lenient for installment payments. When you take out an installment loan, you know what your payment will be every month. This should allow you to budget accordingly.

Revolving Accounts Mortgage Guidelines

No major derogatory payments on revolving credit cards in the past 12 months. A major derogatory payment is a 1×90 daily payment or a 3×60 day late payment.

Collections Accounts Mortgage Guidelines

You may not have any non-medical collections in the past 12 months. Any recent collections will disqualify you from passing a manual underwrite. Outstanding collections and charged-off accounts do not have to be paid to qualify for an FHA loan.

Documents Required To Start The Mortgage Process

Documentation is key for manually underwritten loans. A verification of rent will be completed to make sure your housing payments are on time. If you rent from a large management company, we can verify your payment history through them. If you rent from a small landlord or a family member, we will need to see 12 canceled checks showing an on-time payment history for your rental. An underwriter is responsible to covering all bases. For example, if you are in mortgage modification, the underwriter must verify at least 12 on-time payments to be modified.

Credit Disputes During The Mortgage Process

Disputed accounts on your credit report will stall the process: If you are disputing accounts totaling $1000 or more, you must call the credit bureaus and remove the verbiage dispute. All non-medical collections will use a 5% monthly payment. That is 5% of the total monthly balance. With the manually underwritten long, charge-offs do not count against your debt-to-income ratio. Like any FHA loan, the same waiting period stands for derogatory credit. Your case number must be assigned after waiting for all events such as a foreclosure, short sale, deed-in-lieu, Chapter 7, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Waiting Period After Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, and Late Payments

Waiting Periods:

  • Foreclosure, short sale, deed-in-lieu: 3 years from the date the property is transferred out of your name (see county records for exact date)
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: eligible after you have made at least 12 on-time payments to the trustee, NO WAITING PERIOD AFTER DISCHARGE
  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: 2 years after discharge

DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines on Nontraditional Credit Tradelines

Nontraditional credit tradelines can be applied for manually underwritten files. For more information, please see our blog on NON-TRADITIONAL CREDIT. As mentioned above, when manually underwriting an FHA loan, there are more strict debt-to-income and reserve requirements. If you will have debt-to-income ratios above 31/43, you must have compensating factors. Those compensating factors include verified cash reserves, minimal increase in housing payment, residual income, and significant additional income not reflected on your mortgage application.

Front-End and Back-End DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines

DTI limits for manual underwriting based on credit scores:

  • No credit score: 31/43
  • 500, 579 – 31/41
  • 580 and above: 31/43 (with no compensating factors)
  • 580 and above 37/47 (with one compensating factor)
  • 580 and above -40/40 (with no discretionary debt)
  • 580 and above 40/50 (with two compensating factors)

FHA TBD Manual Underwriting Reserve Guidelines

Reserve requirements for manual underwriting:

  • 1–2 unit properties; -1 month of PITIA (Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any association dues)
  • 3–4 unit properties -3 months of PITIA (Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any association dues)

When using reserves for a compensating factor, you need to verify more funds

  • 1 – 2 unit properties -3 months of PITIA (Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any association dues)
  • 3 – 4 unit properties -6 months of PITIA (Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any association dues)

It is important to understand that reserve funds stay in your bank account. However, they are underwriting requirements in case something catastrophic happens, like losing your job. This will give you time to get back on your feet and not fall behind on mortgage payments.

Selecting an Expert Lender on FHA TBD Manual Underwriting

If you are not in the mortgage industry, you are probably confused by this overload of information. That is why we are here. We are the experts in manual underwriting. Once we have your completed application and documentation, we will send your file directly to an FHA underwriter. They will underwrite your credit report and assets and issue a true pre-approval. This will allow you to shop for a home with confidence.

Once you find your dream home, we will order the appraisal and title report and ask for a few updated documents. The process will be quick and easy, and we can close in as little as three weeks.

To discuss your TBD underwriting qualifications, please contact us at Gustan Cho Associates at 800-900-8569 or email us at alex@gustancho.com. Text us for a faster response. This blog on DTI Manual Underwriting Guidelines was updated on November 27th, 2023.


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