Sub-Prime Mortgage Loans by John Gunther California Pacific Mortgage Co. November 1997 So, you've read the newspapers, seen the articles, and talked to your friends....REAL ESTATE IS GOOD AGAIN. Home prices are on the rise, and you think maybe it is about time to take the plunge. Prices are still relatively low and now is a good time to buy. If you already own a home, you also know that mortgage interest rates are very low, and now could be a good time to refinance. Who wouldn't want lower payments? OK, this is a good idea. Only one small problem.....you have a few negative ratings on debt consolidation loan uk debt consolidation loan uk your credit report. You have even been down this road before, and the answers were all the same...NO. Well, times have changed in the mortgage lending industry, and there may be a program for you, now. Many lenders have adopted Sub-Prime Mortgage programs, and have the ability to fund loans for people with less than perfect credit. Let's start here...what exactly is Sub-Prime? Sub Prime can have two definitions...first, all residential loans that are generally not eligible for sale to FNMA, FHLMC, or the Jumbo Conduits (loans over $214,600) are considered sub-prime. Additionally, sub-prime is the term for any loan transaction where the borrower has low mortgage rates washington debt consolidation loan uk had delinquencies on a regular or extensive basis. The credit is broken into three primary categories...Mortgage Credit, Consumer Credit, and Public Records. The first one is obvious...your payment history on your existing, or previous mortgage. Obviously this relates to people who have owned a home before. The second category relates to credit cards, installment loans, student loans, and any other forms of debt. The third category relates to public records such as previous bankruptcies, judgements, foreclosures, etc. Your lender will evaluate the nature of your current delinquencies, past lates, and Grade your credit. A borrower will typically fall into one of FIVE categories: debt relief clearinghouse debt consolidation loan uk A, A-, B, C, or D. The A borrower can have a 30 day late on the existing mortgage within the last 12 months. The D borrower could currently be in forclosure. Yes, even this guy could get a new loan. How is this possible? First, it is primarily based upon the equity in the home. The rule of thumb for these sub-prime loans is the greater the equity in the property, the weaker the credit can be. Conversely, the less equity, the better the credit must be. As an example...an A borrower who has been 30 days late on a mortgage loans debt consolidation loan uk and