Here is what Herb Greenberg has to say
http://blogs.marketwatch.com/greenberg/2008/01/reality-check-on-raising-mortgage-caps/
<p>Nobody in a high-housing-price state will scoff at raising the cap on government-sponsored loans to $700,000 from $417,000, as is proposed in the economic-stimulus package. If nothing else, that should give psychological relief.</p>
<p>However, checking in with our old friend Mark Hanson, a mortgage banker and the author of the very well read <a href="http://blogs.marketwatch.com/greenberg/2007/12/straight-talk-on-the-mortgage-mess-from-an-insider/">“Straight talk on the mortgage mess from an insider”</a> post here, the reality is:</p>
<p>–New borrowers still have to qualify. Fannie/Freddie is full doc only primarily. </p>
<p>–Without stated income for wage earners, it’s tough to qualify for a $700,000 loan.</p>
<p>–In 2005 to 2007, 70% of all jumbos were stated income for a reason: Ninety percent of all stated income borrowers lied about their income to qualify.</p>
<p>–Refi’s will still have trouble due to values dropping in jumbo areas by such a large amount. These are the ones that really need the help. </p>
<p>And the good news, says Mark: “This will be a positive for those purchase money loans for people that actually make the money and have the down payment.” </p>
<p>To put this in perspective, Mark adds:</p>
<p> For the past several years, a husband and wife working at McDonald’s for two years could borrower $650,000, STATED income no problem. They just put enough money as income listed on the application to qualify. Wall Street banks that ultimately bought the loans did not care. Lenders also qualified at interest-only payment rate with zero to 5% down. Credit scores at 600 were okay. </p>
<p>NOW, you must have earned $135,000 to $150,000 FULLY DOCUMENTED for the past two years and have a current pay stub and average ‘other’ debt to borrow $650,000. You must have at least 10% equity or down payment. You must have a credit score of 700 or above. This is not a large number of the population. </p>
<p>Without stated income for wage earners, how much will this raise really matter? From 2005-2007 70% of all jumbo loans were stated income…and for a reason: Ninety percent of all stated income borrowers lied about their income to qualify. Fifty percent by more than 5% and 50% by more than 50%. </p>
<p>This loan limit raise definitely will not help all the lenders with all the old vintage trash loans on their books. </p>
<p>This should help some people with large incomes buy homes. That is about it. </p>