How To Get A Mortgage If You Have Student Loans

Performance Property Real Estate Question

Q: Gerald, I want to buy a house but I have big student loans. Is there any hope for me? Dave, New Brunswick, NJ.

A: Many homebuyers, especially first time home buyers are not comfortable taking on mortgage debt if they have student loans—for obvious reasons.

Luckily for home shoppers with student loans, Fannie Mae recently announced changes to how student loan debt is treated that could make qualifying for a mortgage easier.

Now, non-mortgage debts paid by another party for at least 12 months won’t be included in calculating debt-to-income ratio when you try to qualify for a mortgage. For example, if a parent pays on their son or daughter’s student loan, it won’t be counted against the debt-to-income ratio for the former student-borrower.

These changes may make it possible for prospective buyers with student debt to get a home now rather than waiting until student loans are all paid off.

Thanks for your question, Dave, good luck.

For more real estate information and tips, visit my blog at geraldlucas.com.

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