Frequently Asked Questions from Loan Professionals
79 scenarios loan officers asked Zeitro Strata, with the answer and the guideline behind each one.
Non-QM 13
Can a rent-free first-time investor get a DSCR loan below 1.0?
What flood insurance policies are acceptable for a mortgage?
Can a DSCR loan finance a New Jersey 2-unit with 15% down?
How is rental income used to qualify for a mortgage?
Which DSCR lenders accept foreign nationals on single-family rentals?
What counts as a large deposit for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA?
Can rental income from a departing residence be used to qualify?
What is a DSCR loan and how is DSCR calculated?
What is a no-ratio loan and which lenders offer one?
Can DACA recipients get FHA, VA, conventional or non-QM loans?
Is an access letter needed for a joint account with a non-borrower?
Can a DSCR or conventional loan close in the name of an LLC?
What are the requirements for an ITIN mortgage?
Loan Requirements 30
Can you buy a primary home with 5% down and no mortgage insurance?
What are the requirements for a warrantable condo?
What is the maximum DTI on Fannie Mae DU, FHA, VA and non-QM programs?
How is asset depletion income calculated to qualify for a mortgage?
What is the maximum debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage?
What are the appraisal requirements for a manufactured home?
Which loan programs finance mixed-use properties?
What percentage of units must be presold in a new construction condo?
Can a closed-end second mortgage go behind a VA first mortgage?
Which programs allow a temporary buydown on a non-warrantable condo?
Can ADU rental income be used to qualify for a mortgage?
What is the minimum credit score for FHA, VA and conventional loans?
Which zero-down mortgages have no mortgage insurance?
What is the definition of a mid-rise condo?
What are the 2026 maximum loan amounts by loan type?
How does FHA treat charge-offs?
What are the requirements for financing a home with an ADU?
What are the maximum LTV and requirements for a P&L-only loan?
Can a first-time homebuyer buy a rental with a conventional loan?
How many months of reserves are required for conventional, FHA, VA and non-QM loans?
Who can give gift funds for a down payment, and what documents are needed?
What are the down payment and reserve requirements for a 2-4 unit primary residence?
Can a non-occupant co-borrower be added to an FHA or conventional loan?
How much of a 401(k) or IRA can count toward reserves or down payment?
What are the requirements for a second home loan?
What are the seller concession limits for conventional, FHA, VA and USDA?
What makes a condo non-warrantable, and which loans allow one?
How many acres can a property have for conventional, FHA or USDA loans?
What are the gift of equity rules for conventional and FHA loans?
How long is an appraisal valid for conventional, FHA and VA loans?
General / Other 17
What is the FHA 100-mile rule?
What are the requirements for borrowers who work for a staffing agency?
Can debts paid by someone else be excluded from DTI?
Can you get a mortgage during or after Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Which loan programs work best for a home in Sunnyvale, CA?
What loan restrictions apply to homes in Baltimore City, MD?
Can a borrower employed by a family member qualify for a mortgage?
Is a loss payee clause acceptable, or is a mortgagee clause required?
How do recent mortgage late payments affect loan eligibility?
Can non-permanent resident aliens get FHA, conventional, VA or USDA loans?
What are the waiting periods after foreclosure, short sale or Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Do authorized user accounts and co-signed debts count in DTI?
What student loan payment goes in DTI when it shows $0 or is deferred?
Must collection accounts be paid off for FHA, VA and conventional loans?
Can a borrower qualify with an IRS payment plan or tax lien?
Can a borrower with no credit score qualify using nontraditional credit?
Can installment debts paid off within 10 months be excluded from DTI?
Refinance & Loan Purpose 8
How long must a borrower own a home before a cash-out refinance?
Which DSCR programs allow a cash-out refinance on a 4-unit in Texas?
Is a 200-square-foot unit too small for a 2-4 unit property loan?
What are the FHA streamline refinance requirements?
Is paying off divorce-decree debt a limited cash-out refinance?
Can a DSCR cash-out refinance exceed 70% LTV with a ratio below 1.0?
What are the VA cash-out refinance and IRRRL requirements?
How do FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle renovation loans compare?
Income 11
How is variable income like overtime, bonus and commission calculated?
How is declining income treated when qualifying for a mortgage?
Can boarder income be used to qualify for a mortgage?
Do any bank statement or P&L loan programs allow manufactured homes?
How is self-employed income calculated from tax returns?
How are Social Security, pension and disability income used to qualify?
How many years of tax returns does a self-employed borrower need?
Can short-term rental (Airbnb) income be used to qualify for a mortgage?
How do Fannie Mae and FHA treat a gap in employment?
How much can non-taxable income be grossed up by loan type?
Can a borrower qualify with a job offer letter before starting work?
Have a scenario of your own?
Ask it the way you would ask your scenario desk. Zeitro Strata searches agency and non-QM guidelines and opens the one it used right next to the answer.
