Asset Qualifier Loans

Whether you are looking to buy or refinance, you may want to consider asset qualifier loans if you have a large amount of assets and no way to prove a steady income. Borrowers may be under the impression that they are required to have a steady, 2-year work history with paystubs and w-2’s but that is not always the case. Keep reading to have a close look at Asset Qualifier Loans, also known as Asset Depletion Mortgages.

While proof of steady income may be required for certain types of loans, other loan products have vastly different stipulations. If you have a large amount of assets in a retirement account, in crypto currency, or a bank account, Asset Qualifier Loans may be just the type of loan that suits your situation the best.

Non-QM programs, like Asset Qualifier Loans, exist for borrowers that do not quite fit inside typical loan guidelines. These types of home loans may also be referred to as:

• asset depletion loans
• asset optimizer loans
• asset utilization loans
• asset dissipation loans
• asset-based mortgage loan

No matter which mentioned term is used, these loans mean the same thing: using your assets to qualify a borrower for a mortgage. Borrowers qualify for asset qualifier loans based on their liquid assets OR assets that can be liquidated without restrictions. Often, no income or employment needs to be verified. This type of loan is perfect for borrowers who have sizable asset amounts but may not have sufficient income from an employer.

Using funds from your asset accounts does not mean that you can only use those accounts to qualify; you can also combine additional income (employment) to qualify. This type of loan mght be perfect for:

• a real estate investor
• a crypto investor
• someone who is retired
• a self-employed person

Eligible and Ineligible Properties

Asset qualifier loans are eligible on primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. There are further restrictions so let’s dive into those.

Eligible Properties Include:

• 1-4 unit attached and detached properties
• Attached and detached PUDs (planned unit development)
• Attached and detached condos which are warrantable under Fannie Mae criteria
• Non-warrantable condos with one non-warrantable feature
• Mixed-use properties acceptable per Fannie Mae’s guidelines

Ineligible properties include (varies depending on the lender):

• Acreage greater than 20 acres
• Agricultural zoned property
• Hobby Farms
• Non-residential income producing properties
• Log homes
• Manufactured housing/Modular Homes
• Properties subject to oil and/or gas leases
• Unique properties
• Working farms, ranches, or orchards
• Co-ops

More Guidelines and Qualifications to Consider

Though details of the asset qualifier loan will vary from lender to lender, here are important, general guidelines to be eligible: 

• Credit score must be at least 620 
• Loan to value amounts as high as 90% (10% down payment)
• Maximum loan amount values reaching $4,000,000 
• Minimum loan amounts as low as $100,000
• Debt-to-income levels at a maximum of 50%
• Known to have quicker closing times than other loan products
• Can combine all asset sources (a mix of retirement accounts, bank statements, checking or savings accounts, investment accounts, etc.)
• Various Terms: 5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, interest-only periods
• Minimum reserve amounts required- 6 months of PITIA may be required while other lenders may require 110% of the loan amount

These are extremely generous guidelines and may be the perfect option if you have a large amount of assets to qualify with. Some lenders will qualify the borrower by dividing your assets over 36 months while others will qualify you by dividing assets over a 60-month period. That number then determines your average monthly income level, which is then used to figure out what loan amount you qualify for.

Assets used to qualify are often subject to seasoning requirements. This means that those assets will have had to be in one’s account for a certain amount of time, generally at least two months/sixty days but sometimes as long as six months. Any existing debts will be reduced from your average monthly income level of course, just like with any other loan product.

** Please note: Appraisals are still a requirement of most, if not all, lenders just with many loan products. Appraisals give the lender piece of mind that the property at hand is worth the investment they are making. 

With there being more and more self-employed individuals, this loan product is a perfect product to entice certain borrowers. Not everyone has a steady, full-time occupation. Loan products such as this attract small business owners, those who are retired, or those that may not have that 2 year steady work history. 

Freddie Mac Asset Depletion Mortgages

Under new rules a home buyer can qualify for an asset depletion mortgage through Freddie Mac using 70% of an investment account divided by 240 months. For example, an investment worth $500,000 would allow you to claim $1,458 ($500,000 x .70 = $350,000 / 240) in monthly income.

This increases the amount you are able to claim because prior to this new rule you had to divide by 360. In this example it adds an additional $486.

Keep in mind you still need to meet all the guidelines to qualify for the Freddie Mac Asset Depletion Mortgage. This includes meeting minimum credit score requirements, debt-to-income maximums, property guidelines, etc…

Guidelines for Cryptocurrency

For Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, typically cryptocurrency statements will suffice to show those assets. You would need to liquidate that Bitcoin into cash and wire it to escrow before closing if using any of these funds for a down payment. With traditional financing, Fannie Mae does not recognize digital currency unless it is converted into US currency and deposited into an eligible account (bank account) and seasoned for at least two months. Non-QM loan routes are much more willing to work with borrowers that want to use their cryptocurrency as an asset source. Find more information about using Cryptocurrency to purchase a home.

Beacon Lending

Here at Beacon Lending, we work with multiple lenders that offer asset qualifier loans. Their requirements and rules vary slightly from one another, as mentioned above, but we have a wide range of lenders to choose from. With several years of experience handling these types of non-QM loans, we would love to help guide you and find the loan product that is just right for you.

Not all lenders offer this type of product, just like all mortgage brokers are not familiar with this loan product, so it is important to partner with a mortgage broker that has access to what you are looking for.

We would love to help educate you and guide you to the right loan product. We are always here and ready to meet you where you are at in your borrowing journey.