What is a Condominium Unit?
A condominium unit is a singular unit within a building or community that is owned by an individual. A condo building typically has shared common areas like garages, rec rooms, gyms, outdoor spaces, etc. These common areas are maintained by the condominium association and are paid for by the residents through dues, sometimes referred to as common charges.
Requirements for a Condo Mortgage
When applying for a condo mortgage, the lender must approve the borrower and the condo building. Some things a lender looks for in a condo building are:
- High owner occupancy rates
- No current litigation. Certain lenders will want a history of previous litigation and the outcome.
- Current building budget
- Strong financials
- Adequate and appropriate building insurance
The lender has to contact the managing agent of the building in order to access the necessary information. The borrower and realtor can get the managing agent’s information from the seller’s agent or by contacting the building directly. Managing agents typically charge a fee for providing the information needed and that range from $50 to $300.
While we are approving the building, we will also be approving you. This part of the process is the same regardless of whether a condo is involved or not. When you apply for a condo mortgage, Mortgage Money Lending will need updated budgets, financials, and questionnaires from the condo for every transaction. This helps document any updates or changes from previous documentation on prior loans.
FHA Condo Mortgage
Certain condominium buildings are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for FHA loans. These buildings can be found on HUD’s web site here https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm.
As an Eagle FHA lender, Mortgage Money Lending is approved to lend in all FHA approved condos.
Non-Warrantable Condo Loan
A non-warrantable condo is a building that does not fit into Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s guidelines. If you are purchasing a unit within a non-warrantable condo, then a non-warrantable condo loan may be right for you. Non-warrantable condos fall outside of the traditional lending guidelines, and may be more difficult to finance through a traditional lender who stays away from mortgages that fall outside of Fannie Mae’s guidelines.
At Mortgage Money Lending, we lend in non-warrantable condo buildings, offering you flexibility when searching for a new home or investment property.
What are the guidelines for a non-warrantable condo loan?
- A low owner occupancy rate
- High investor concentration
- A high commercial-to-residential ratio
- Pending lawsuits