Looking for a lender, we have some unique circumstances. Help!

Looking for a lender, we have some unique circumstances. Help!

Contractor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2017 · 22 posts · 7 votes

Hey guys,

So my wife and I are looking to get a loan to buy our first house together. However I'm in the process of immigrating. I'm in the country for good, just waiting 12-24 months to get my permanent residency, which is the approximate processing time. I'm able to start working within 4 or 5 months. That being said, we are looking to qualify for a mortgage based solely on my wife's income, with the intention that I could spend some time fixing the house up until my work authorization comes through within a few months.  Here are our financial circumstances.

-We are looking at houses around $150k somewhere north of the city, if we would be able to get a loan for that.

-She makes $38k a year, and has a mid 600 credit score.

-She is a W2 employee on a fixed term contract working in HR. Her previous contract was 12 months, they then offered her a full time job, but she declined to take on this contract for a higher salary. She is 2 months into this 6 month contract, with a high likelyhood they will renew it at the end.

-We have around $85k cash.

Would we be able to get a traditional loan based on my wifes income alone? Would there be any other routes we could go down? Realistically we don't mind stretching ourselves a little thin for these couple of months while I fix the house, and hopefully make some sweat equity, then once my work authorization comes through and I'm able to start working we could at least double our household income.

Any ideas/recommendations welcome, thanks guys.  

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  • Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    8y

    Talk to a local lender....with a mid 600 FICO you’ll be limited to an fha loan.  

    Your still requirement for the loan payment itself- principle, interest, taxes and insurance- can’t be more 40-45% of her monthly gross.  Adding any other debts-credit card, car, etc- and that added to the mtg pmt can’t be more than 50-55% of monthly gross.

    This will determine how much of a loan you can qualify for, which will determine how much down payment you’ll have to make on $150k.

    BTW, at 4.25% 30 years, your principle and interest pmt will be about $5 per $1,000 ($500/ mo for $100,000) borrowed, plus whatever your property taxes and insurance will be.

  • Contractor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2017 · 22 posts · 7 votes
    8y

    Thanks for the info Wayne.

    I'm hoping we can increase her credit score, she had a credit card that was nearly maxed out that I've just paid off to a zero balance which should give it at least a small bump right?  That was the only debt she had, so we have no other payments other than that.

  • Member since 2018 · 44 posts · 15 votes
    8y

    Are you looking for a residential loan where you will live in the home or a commercial loan where it will be non-owner occupied?  Seems like the former but wanted to confirm.

  • Contractor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2017 · 22 posts · 7 votes
    8y

    Residential, this will be our first home. 

  • Max FeinbergPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2017 · 151 posts · 70 votes
    8y

    Hello Josh!

    My sister is a lender with First National Bank and I know they have some good loan programs for first time home buyers. While your situation is a unique one, I am sure she would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

    PM me for her contact info!

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