Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: A Borrower's Closest Friends
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are corporations owned by
stockholders that purchase mortgages and then resell them to
investors. Because this ensures that the borrower's capital is
no longer tied up in the loan, banks and other lenders are able
to grant more money to their customers. What Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac do with the mortgage once they buy it is put a cap
on the amount of the loan, the credit score, income level, and
down payment so they reduce their risk involved in the
investment.
Let's say that as a borrower, you don't
qualify for an aforementioned conforming loan, and you need to
borrow more than the maximum amount imposed by the cap. In this
situation, you should apply for what is known as a "jumbo" loan,
which are typically handled on a smaller scale, and therefore
carry higher rates.
If you are suffering from bad
credit, you can also use a subprime lender who specializes in
these types of financial situations. As always, before selecting
a deal, you must do research. Learn as much as you can about the
lender as his terms until you can safely choose the most
favorable plan for you.