Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Mortgage Loans | New American Funding (2024)

Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Mortgage Loans | New American Funding (1)

Looking for a loan but don’t know where to start? Have a non-traditional source of income and you’re not quite sure if you qualify for a typical loan? Perhaps you have had difficulty in the past getting approved for a mortgage and you’re exploring different options. Regardless, you’ll probably want to hear more about Qualified Mortgage (QM) loans and Non-Qualified (Non-QM) loans. This quick review will give you a better idea of what each type of loan has to offer.

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What’s a Qualified Mortgage Loan?

QM loans provide certain legal protections to lenders once they are able to show that you have the ability to repay your loan. The stricter guidelines for QM loans were put into place to protect homeowners and to reduce the likelihood of defaulting on home loans.

Under these guidelines, risky mortgage loan features such as balloon payments and interest-only payments are no longer allowed. In addition to upfront points and fees being limited, the guidelines established how much of the borrower’s income can go toward their mortgage loan debt. In general, the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio for a QM loan must not exceed 43%. In addition, no loan term can exceed 30 years and no negative amortization can take place. (Negative amortization allows your loan principal to increase over time even though you’re making payments).

What’s a Non-Qualified Mortgage Loan?

Any loan that doesn’t meet all of the criteria of a QM loan is essentially a Non-QM loan. These types of non-traditional loans are ideal for borrowers who have fluctuating or lump sum incomes or who are self-employed as independent business owners, entrepreneurs, contractors, hospitality workers, retirees, actors, artists, musicians, etc.

Non-QM loan borrowers may have the income but don't necessarily qualify for a traditional mortgage with their tax returns, W-2s or pay stubs alone. Generally, Non-QM lending guidelines dictate that the lender must analyze the borrower’s Ability to Repay (ATR) through various terms such as reviewing cash flow of personal and business bank accounts. Non-QM loans are typically for borrowers with unique income qualifying circ*mstances, along with possible credit issues such as a bankruptcy, foreclosure, late payments or other isolated credit issues.

How They Differ

A significant difference between a QM loan and a Non-QM loan is that a Non-QM loan uses alternative methods of income verification (vs. the standard income methods of verification of a QM loan) to help the borrower get approved for a mortgage loan. Also, Non-QM loans are not insured, guaranteed or backed by FHA, VA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Also, a loan that meets QM requirements provides safe harbor for lenders against lawsuits from borrowers who default on their loan.

What Loan is Right for You?

It really comes down to which loan applies to your situation and meets your needs. A New American Funding loan officer can share a variety of mortgage loan options with you to help determine which loan is right for you. Contact us today to learn more!

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Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Mortgage Loans | New American Funding (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a qualified and non-qualified mortgage? ›

While a standard QM loan requires you to verify your income with tax returns, W2s and paystubs, a non-QM lender might be able to use your bank statements to calculate income to qualify for your loan.

What is the US qualified mortgage rule? ›

The Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage Rule (ATR/QM Rule) requires a creditor to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay a residential mortgage loan according to its terms.

What loans are not subject to QM? ›

Non-QM Loan Definition

Home loans exceeding 30-year terms. Home loans with negative amortization. Home loans with interest-only payments.

What percentage of mortgages are non-qualified? ›

Non-QM loans must satisfy the ATR requirements. The non-QM share of total mortgage counts declined during the pandemic and reached its lowest level in 2020, at 2% of the market. However, the non-QM share has almost doubled in 2022, representing about 4% of the first mortgage market.

What is qualified vs non-qualified? ›

Qualified plans qualify for certain tax benefits and government protection. Nonqualified plans do not meet all ERISA stipulations. Nonqualified plans are generally offered to executives and other key personnel whose needs cannot be met by an ERISA-qualified plan.

What are the 4 types of qualified mortgages? ›

There are four types of QMs – General, Temporary, Small Creditor, and Balloon-Payment.

What is the 3% QM rule? ›

A loan qualifies as a General QM as defined in the ATR/QM Rule if: it does not have negative amortization, interest-only or balloon payment features, a term that exceeds 30 years, or total points and fees that generally exceed 3 percent of the loan amount (General QM Product Requirements)

What is not a qualified mortgage? ›

A non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) is a home loan designed to help home buyers who can't meet the strict criteria of a qualifying mortgage. For example, if you are self-employed or don't have all the necessary documentation to qualify for a traditional mortgage, you might need to look at non-qualified mortgages.

What is the definition of a QM loan? ›

A Qualified Mortgage is a category of loans that have certain, less risky features that help make it more likely that you'll be able to afford your loan. A lender must make a good-faith effort to determine that you have the ability to repay your mortgage before you take it out.

What loans does the QM rule apply to? ›

Which Loans are Covered by the Rule? The ATR/QM rule applies to almost all closed-end consumer credit transactions secured by a dwelling, including any real property attached to the dwelling.

What are examples of non-QM loans? ›

A Non-QM loan, or a non-qualified mortgage, is a type of mortgage loan that allows you to qualify based on alternative methods, instead of the traditional income verification required for most loans. Common examples include bank statements or using your assets as income.

Is a 40-year mortgage a non-QM loan? ›

One such rule is that qualified mortgages can't have loan terms longer than 30 years. As such, a 40-year mortgage is considered a non-qualified mortgage (sometimes referred to as a non-QM loan).

What are the two categories of qualified mortgages? ›

Types of Qualified Mortgages
  • Type 1: General QM Loans. So-called “General QM loans” may not contain negative amortization, interest-only, or balloon-payment features. ...
  • Type 2: Temporary QM Loans. ...
  • Type 3: Small Creditor QM Loans. ...
  • Balloon Payments & QM. ...
  • Safe Harbor vs.

What is mortgage qualifying rate Canada? ›

The mortgage qualifying rate (MQR) is the greater of a floor of 5.25% or your mortgage contract rate + a buffer of 2%. MQR is set by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) for uninsured mortgages.

How big is the non-QM mortgage market? ›

$50 Billion. That's the amount of mortgage credit forecast to be issued to “non-QM” US homebuyers in 2020.

What is considered non-qualified? ›

Non-qualified money is money that you have already paid the taxes on. For this reason, non-qualified accounts, such as a savings account or a brokerage account, do not receive preferential tax treatment.

What is the difference between qualified and non-qualified ISO? ›

The profit on qualified ISOs is usually taxed at the capital gains rate, not the higher rate for ordinary income. Non-qualified stock options (NSOs) are taxed as ordinary income. Generally, ISO stock is awarded only to top management and highly-valued employees.

What is the difference between qualified and non-qualified patronage? ›

When the nonqualified equity is paid out in the future, the cooperative takes a tax deduction and the patrons include the amount paid in their taxable incomes. The biggest difference between qualified and nonqualified patronage distributions is timing of cash flows and tax deductions.

What percentage is a qualified mortgage? ›

An interest rate that falls below a threshold defined by the CFPB. When ATR was implemented, and in addition to meeting the other requirements, the regulation called for a 43% maximum Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio for a loan to be considered a Qualified Mortgage.

What credit score do you need for a qualified mortgage? ›

Conventional Loan Requirements

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.

What is the price based rule for QM? ›

Price-Based Limit (amends 12 CFR 1026.43(e)(2)(vi)). To qualify as a General QM loan, the annual percentage rate (APR) may not exceed the average prime offer rate (APOR) for a comparable transaction by more than the applicable threshold set forth in the final rule, as of the date the interest rate is set.

What is the new general QM rule? ›

Under the amended rule, a loan will meet the General QM definition if the annual percentage rate (APR) exceeds the average prime offer rate (APOR) for a comparable transaction by less than 2.25% (or up to 6.5% depending on the loan amount and transaction type) at the time the interest rate is set.

What loans are exempt from QM points and fees? ›

In general, the following items are excluded from the points and fees calculation for a QM loan: Interest fees or the time-price differential; FHA Upfront Mortgages Insurance Premiums (UFMIP) and annual Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIPs);

What is the safe harbor rule for QM? ›

Safe Harbor Qualified Mortgage means a Qualified Mortgage with an annual percentage rate that does not exceed the average prime offer rate for a comparable mortgage loan as of the date the interest rate is set by 1.5 or more percentage points for a first-lien Loan or by 3.5 or more percentage points for a subordinate- ...

Who needs non-QM loans? ›

Nonqualified mortgages allow borrowers that otherwise wouldn't qualify for a mortgage to be eligible for a home loan. If you have a low credit score, a high debt-to-income ratio or income that varies enough for a traditional mortgage not to be an option, a nonqualified loan may be the right fit for you.

Are non-QM loans more expensive? ›

Non-QM loans typically have higher interest rates than qualified mortgages. So while it may be easier to meet their requirements than a qualified mortgage, non-QM loans are also a more expensive way to borrow.

Is a conventional loan a QM? ›

Conventional loans are mortgages that aren't backed by a government agency. Non-QM loans technically fit this definition, but when most people talk about conventional loans, they're referring to conforming loans. Conforming loans are a type of conventional loan that meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines.

Is a 40 year loan a qm loan? ›

It's A Non-Qualified Mortgage (QM) Loan

Because 40-year loans are not subject to these rules, they may have some unfavorable terms.

What are the advantages of non QM loans? ›

Pros of Non-QM Mortgages
  • You can own multiple properties with out it being used against you.
  • Loans for people who have high debt.
  • Loans for people who have low credit.
  • Less documentation is required for non-QM mortgages than for traditional loan products.
Apr 7, 2023

Can any loan be a general QM loan? ›

Any loan that meets the product feature requirements and is eligible for purchase, guarantee, or insurance by a GSE, FHA, VA, or USDA is QM regardless of the debt-to-income ratio (this QM category applies for GSE loans as long as the GSEs are in FHFA conservatorship and for federal agency loans until an agency issues ...

What is the debt-to-income ratio for QM loan? ›

What Is a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio? As a general guideline, 43% is the highest DTI ratio a borrower can have and still get qualified for a mortgage. Ideally, lenders prefer a debt-to-income ratio lower than 36%, with no more than 28% of that debt going towards servicing a mortgage or rent payment.

Is a bank statement loan a non-QM loan? ›

What is a bank statement mortgage? Bank statement loans are non-qualified mortgages (non-QM), meaning that instead of relying on pay stubs, tax returns or W-2s to show proof of income, buyers can use other documentation to demonstrate their ability to repay the loan.

What are non-QM underwriters? ›

During their manual application reviews, Non-QM underwriters not only evaluate borrower income, they also assess the borrower's financial holdings such as marketable securities (stocks/bonds), retirement accounts and rental income. In Non-QM lending, these can be applied to loan affordability evaluations.

Is a non-QM loan a portfolio loan? ›

Non-QM loans are typically portfolio loans for private investors that do not conform to the strict government or conventional mortgage guidelines.

Is non-QM considered hard money? ›

NON-QM Loans are similar to hard money loans. However, non-QM loans have substantially lower interest rates versus hard money loans. Interest rates on non-QM loans are dependent on the down payment and borrower's credit scores.

Can a qualified mortgage be 15 years? ›

The mortgage term must be 30 years or less. Qualified mortgages must also satisfy at least one of the following three criteria: 1. The borrower's total monthly debt-to-income (DTI) ratio must be 43 percent or less.

Is non-QM a subprime? ›

In essence, the biggest difference between non-QM and subprime loans comes down to underwriting standards. During the crisis, subprime loans relied on the value of the property for the investors to be made whole versus the lender verifying that the borrower actually had the ability to repay the loan.

What are the 2 main types of mortgages and how do they differ? ›

All types of mortgages are considered either conforming or nonconforming loans. Conforming versus nonconforming loans are determined by whether your lender keeps the loan and collects payments and interest on it or sells it to one of two real estate investment companies – Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

What are three major types of home mortgages? ›

When purchasing a house, there are three main types of mortgages to choose from: fixed-rate, conventional, and standard adjustable rate. All have different benefits and shortcomings that assist various homebuyer profiles.

Does QM apply to second mortgages? ›

The General ATR/QM definition applies to first lien mortgage loans secured by a home for personal, family, or household use. Meaning, it applies to primary residences and second homes, but does not apply to investment properties.

How much mortgage can I get with $70 000 salary in Ontario? ›

Mortgage interest rate and your home buying budget
Annual Salary$70,000$70,000
Down Payment$30,000$30,000
Current Monthly Debts$0$0
Mortgage Rate6.25%7.0%
Home Buying Budget$353,000$333,200
Jan 20, 2023

How much house can I buy with 100K salary? ›

A 100K salary means you can afford a $350,000 to $500,000 house, assuming you stick with the 28% rule that most experts recommend.

What is Canada's mortgage rate prime? ›

The prime rate in Canada today, June 2, 2023, is currently 6.7%. The prime rate, also known as the prime lending rate, is the annual interest rate Canada's major banks and financial institutions use to set interest rates for variable loans and lines of credit, including variable-rate mortgages.

What is the interest rate on non-QM mortgage? ›

Interest rates for non-QM loans are higher than loans for more traditional financing as Non-QM loans have “riskier” features. Rates vary on the program but typically land in the range of 8-12% at the cost of 1-2 points.

What percentage of mortgages are non qualified? ›

Non-QM loans must satisfy the ATR requirements. The non-QM share of total mortgage counts declined during the pandemic and reached its lowest level in 2020, at 2% of the market. However, the non-QM share has almost doubled in 2022, representing about 4% of the first mortgage market.

Who is the largest insurer of mortgages in the world? ›

FHA insures mortgages on single-family and multi-family homes including manufactured homes and hospitals. It is the largest insurer of mortgages in the world, insuring over 47.5 million properties since its inception in 1934.

What is a nonqualified mortgage? ›

Nonqualified mortgages allow borrowers that otherwise wouldn't qualify for a mortgage to be eligible for a home loan. If you have a low credit score, a high debt-to-income ratio or income that varies enough for a traditional mortgage not to be an option, a nonqualified loan may be the right fit for you.

How do I know if my mortgage interest is qualified? ›

Qualified mortgage interest includes interest and points you pay on a loan secured by your main home or a second home. Your main home is where you live most of the time, such as a house, cooperative apartment, condominium, mobile home, house trailer, or houseboat. It must have sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.

Can a non-QM loan be conventional? ›

Conventional loans are mortgages that aren't backed by a government agency. Non-QM loans technically fit this definition, but when most people talk about conventional loans, they're referring to conforming loans. Conforming loans are a type of conventional loan that meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines.

What is the difference between qualified and non-qualified equity financing? ›

Profits made from exercising qualified stock options (QSO) are taxed at the capital gains tax rate (typically 15%), which is lower than the rate at which ordinary income is taxed. Gains from non-qualified stock options (NQSO) are considered ordinary income and are therefore not eligible for the tax break.

Is a 40 year mortgage a non-QM loan? ›

One such rule is that qualified mortgages can't have loan terms longer than 30 years. As such, a 40-year mortgage is considered a non-qualified mortgage (sometimes referred to as a non-QM loan).

Who does the qualified mortgage rule apply to? ›

Which Loans are Covered by the Rule? The ATR/QM rule applies to almost all closed-end consumer credit transactions secured by a dwelling, including any real property attached to the dwelling.

Do banks do non-QM loans? ›

Some lenders offer non-qualified mortgages — also called non-QM loans — to serve borrowers who don't meet traditional lending requirements. Non-QM loans have their own distinct set of criteria, including flexible income and credit requirements.

What are the advantages of non-QM loans? ›

Pros of Non-QM Mortgages
  • You can own multiple properties with out it being used against you.
  • Loans for people who have high debt.
  • Loans for people who have low credit.
  • Less documentation is required for non-QM mortgages than for traditional loan products.
Apr 7, 2023

What is considered non-qualified funds? ›

Money invested into a non-qualified account is money that has already been received through income sources and income tax has been paid. The type of investments that can be held in non-qualified accounts are annuities, mutual funds, equities, etc.

What is the threshold for qualified equity financing? ›

Conversion. In a convertible note, the loan will convert into equity when you raise what's known as a qualified financing. A qualified financing is equity financing (not a SAFE or Convertible Note round) above a certain threshold, usually $1 million.

What is non-qualified financing? ›

A non-qualified financing is a financing that does not meet the definition of a qualified financing in your note, and thus does not cause your note to be automatically converted into shares of stock sold in the financing.

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