Originally posted by pathfinders
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I will say it here again. I predicted the bubble back in 2004 when I noticed all these Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs), Option Pay, and other credit products (such as 80/20 loans) used to qualify people who wouldn't otherwise qualify. You are talking about the same thing... reducing the "qualifications" to allow more to own. The problem will be that you would create another bubble because people don't have what it really takes for conventional financing. What you listed is "conventional" financing. That is, scores above 680, "reserves", very low debt:income ratio, and down payments. Very few people meet the conventional financing rules. There are probably banks that would lend outside FHA if you had all the right numbers and high scores. The credit score alone would be the first and most difficult barrier to start with.
Even though I could certainly benefit from lowering underwriting guidelines, I think it would be a foolish move. I would think it would be done solely for political gain and purposes... not too unlike the prior bubble mess with the GSEs.
As for what you wrote in your last sentence, most banks would give you financing anyhow under Fannie/Freddie programs and/or non-traditional lending programs. A person who has been out of bankruptcy/foreclosure for 2-3 years, with a 700 median FICO, 10-20% down payment, 3-6 months in reserves, and a very low DTI ratio... is ideal anyhow!
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