The 4 C's of Mortgage Underwriting (2024)

The 4 C's of Mortgage Underwriting (1)

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Matt Powell, M.A., PHR The 4 C's of Mortgage Underwriting (2)

Matt Powell, M.A., PHR

Manager, Mortgage Underwriting at Navy Federal Credit Union

Published May 16, 2023

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Are you ready to uncover the superheroes of mortgage underwriting? Meet the Fantastic Four - the 4 C's: Capacity, Credit, Collateral, and Capital. These titans hold the power to make or break your dream of homeownership. They're the guardians of mortgage approval, keeping a watchful eye on every aspect of your financial life. Let's pull back the curtain and see these superheroes in action!

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First up in our dynamic quartet is 'Capacity'. This superhero doesn't shy away from asking the tough questions. "Can you repay this loan?" it asks, scrutinizing your income, job stability, and other sources of money. Capacity loves numbers, so the more you have in terms of income and the less you have in terms of existing debt, the happier it is.

Next in line is 'Credit'. If Capacity is the muscle, Credit is the mind. With its trusty sidekick, the Credit Score, it dives deep into your past financial habits. It's like the time-traveler of the group, revisiting how you've managed your debts and credit cards. A strong credit history signals to Credit that you're a responsible borrower.

Then we have 'Collateral', the visionary of the team. It's all about the here and now, focusing on the property you're buying. Collateral assesses whether your dream home is worth the amount you're borrowing. It brings in its buddy, the Appraisal, to ensure the home's market value aligns with the loan amount. It's Collateral's job to make sure the lender won't be left in a lurch if you can't make your payments.

Last but certainly not least, we have 'Capital'. Capital is like the sage, looking at your savings and assets. It's the safety net, checking whether you have enough reserves to make your mortgage payments, even if something unexpected happens. It loves seeing a healthy savings account, a retirement fund, or other assets.

So there you have it, the Fantastic Four of Mortgage Underwriting! While they might seem intimidating, remember, they're here to protect not just the lender, but you as well. They ensure you're stepping into a mortgage you can handle and a home that's a good investment. So, as we continue our journey through the maze of mortgage underwriting, keep these superheroes in mind. They're your guides to a successful home-buying adventure!

#mortgageunderwriting #homebuyingjourney

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Soniya Raval

Banking/Insurance Professional

2mo

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Excellent explanation of 4 Cs. Bravo👍🏻

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The 4 C's of Mortgage Underwriting (2024)

FAQs

The 4 C's of Mortgage Underwriting? ›

So, what do lenders look at when deciding to approve or deny an application? Lenders consider four criteria, also known as the 4 C's: Capacity, Capital, Credit, and Collateral.

What are the 4 Cs required for mortgage underwriting? ›

“The 4 C's of Underwriting”- Credit, Capacity, Collateral and Capital. Guidelines and risk tolerances change, but the core criteria do not.

What are the 4 elements of a mortgage? ›

There are four components to a mortgage payment. Principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

What are the four 4 Cs of the credit analysis process? ›

The “4 Cs” of credit—capacity, collateral, covenants, and character—provide a useful framework for evaluating credit risk.

What are the 4 C's of borrowing? ›

Character, capital, capacity, and collateral – purpose isn't tied entirely to any one of the four Cs of credit worthiness. If your business is lacking in one of the Cs, it doesn't mean it has a weak purpose, and vice versa.

What are the 5 C's of underwriting? ›

The Underwriting Process of a Loan Application

One of the first things all lenders learn and use to make loan decisions are the “Five C's of Credit": Character, Conditions, Capital, Capacity, and Collateral. These are the criteria your prospective lender uses to determine whether to make you a loan (and on what terms).

What are the 4 C's of buying a house? ›

Lenders consider four criteria, also known as the 4 C's: Capacity, Capital, Credit, and Collateral. What is your ability to pay back your mortgage? Factors that play into your Capacity include current income, employment history, and liabilities, such as other loans and financial obligations.

What are the three C's of underwriting? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What is the golden rule of underwriting? ›

Best practices are linked to the so-called “golden rule”: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; in other words, if the adjuster had a claim, how would he want his insurer to determine coverage?

What are the pillars of mortgage? ›

The four pillars that help you qualify for a home loan include income, assets, credit and collateral.

What are the 5 stages of mortgage? ›

The mortgage process is complicated but can be broken into a number of steps: pre-approval, house shopping, mortgage application, loan processing, underwriting, and closing. It's a good idea to get pre-approval for a mortgage before you start looking for a property, so you know what you can afford.

What is the 3 rule for mortgages? ›

Three key rules that should guide your house spending are: The house price should not exceed three times your annual income. Your mortgage payments should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income. Ensure you have a substantial down payment, ideally 10% or more, to reduce the loan amount and potential interest costs.

What do the 4 C's do? ›

The 4 C's to 21st century skills are just what the title indicates. Students need these specific skills to fully participate in today's global community: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity. Students need to be able to share their thoughts, questions, ideas and solutions.

What is one of the 4 C's of credit granting? ›

They look at four main factors, commonly known as the four C's: credit, capacity, capital, and collateral.

What are the 5 C's of borrowers? ›

The five C's, or characteristics, of credit — character, capacity, capital, conditions and collateral — are a framework used by many lenders to evaluate potential small-business borrowers.

What are the 3 C's of credit that lenders look for in a loan applicant? ›

Character, capital (or collateral), and capacity make up the three C's of credit. Credit history, sufficient finances for repayment, and collateral are all factors in establishing credit.

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