VanDyk Mortgage News: December 15, 2022

December 15, 2022

• 2023 Loan Limits Update
  FHA Loan limits updated to $472,030. Please keep in mind that the maximum loan limit is determined by the effective date of your case number, and the new loan limits can only be used for case number assignments on or after 1/1/2023. If you have an FHA loan already in process, and the case number has already been assigned, you cannot increase the loan amount to the new limits.

Conventional loan limits updated to $726,200. DU and LPA are already updated to accept these values. Loans can close immediately with these values but the lock must be good through 1/2/2023.

Optimal Blue is updated to accept the new loan limits for both FHA and Conventional immediately.

• Chase Community Lending: Update 

Last month we announced the new Chase Community Lending program. To clarify additional details: the loan won’t be sent to Chase for underwriting until it’s been locked. In addition, the loan program won’t reflect as Chase Community Lending until the lock has been confirmed, so it is IMPERATIVE that your intention to submit the file to Chase be communicated to your processor.  Your Processor will need to specify on their UW Cover Letter the loan is being sent to Chase (if it’s not already locked at initial UW). As long as this is communicated, one of our amazing underwriters will pre-scrub the file against the Chase guidelines to catch any potential issues up front.

• Appraisal Orders: Chase has a naughty list and will not accept appraisals completed by someone who has been included.  If the appraisal is ordered prior to lock, please add a comment to the appraisal order that the loan is being sent to Chase so the appraisal department can assign the order to someone who is acceptable to the lender
• Overlays: There are additional overlays for this program, please review here (they are also available by asking Howee about Chase Community Lending)

• New Jumbo Outlet: Citi Bank    

We are pleased to add Citi Bank as a Jumbo outlet. Attached please find our updated Jumbo Comparison sheet and some facts about the Citi Program. These jumbo loans can now be priced in Optimal Blue. Please remember to email JumboLoanReview@vandykmortgage.com to have our Jumbo team review these loans prior to locking.

• Kentucky Housing 
  Starting Monday, December 19th, Kentucky Housing loans can be originated. When originating these loans, please make sure that the correct loan program template is selected in Encompass.

In order to lock, please review the KHC Reservation guide attached. Also attached is the KHC bond request form that needs to be submitted to secondary by 4:30pm EST to lock same day.

Normal and customary fees can be charged on the loan (Processing and UW). A $175 admin fee and $595 UW fee must be charged to the customer as these are all program fees.  The 2nd mortgage must have fees of $50 doc prep fee and $80 recording.

On the backend, the branch will make the .25% and must charge 1.5% in origination for FHA, Conventional, and USDA loans. On VA Loans no origination can be charged, and the branch will make 1.75% on the backend. Please make sure that you verify your P&L can support the pay structure of this program prior to originating.

• Compliance/Closing Updates: Disclosures, eClose, and Fundings.
  • Compliance – We are continuing to roll out Initial Disclosures to our branches. We happy to announce we will begin Beta Testing COCs and Initial CDs as early as next week.
  • Closing
    • Closing Request VDMC: – Please remember to complete this form when a closing date is known. This form communicates how you would like your file to close and will expedite the closing of your loan. Reminder, you do NOT have to be CTC!
    • Hybrids: – Communication is Key! Please confirm with all parties they are aware you plan to close as Hybrid (settlement agent included).
    • Funding: – Closers and Funders are working together to offer the best funding experience possible!
      • Hybrids – Reduced Funding Checklist.
      • Traditional – Full Package Review.

• Post-Closing Quality Control – How can you help?

With the recent changes to the 4506C requirements, we are seeing more frequent rejections from the IRS on our transcript orders.  If you can verify the most recent tax filing address and fill in your 4506C to match this will greatly help reduce those rejections.  See the attached QC Update PDF for additional details and thank you for your help!

• SimpleNexus – Partner Landing Page    

We are excited about the improved feature for your Partners to create their own SN account!    Our awesome Marketing department is working diligently on adding your individual LO Landing page links to your existing accounts.

Find the link to share with your partners under Contacts > Partners. Remember: If the agent is also a borrower, make sure they use a different email than the one they used for their personal loan!

• Income Worksheet: Updated  

In Encompass, the Income Worksheet – LTK form has been updated to a newer version. An example of the worksheet is attached.

• Company HELOC Commission Policy 

We have revised our 2^nd mortgage HELOC policy to allow individual LO compensation.  Closed end fixed rate seconds are still not eligible for LO comp, however, the open-ended stand-alone HELOC loans are now eligible.  If you utilize the company’s processing team, the fee is reduced from $695 to $495 for these stand-alone 2nds.  Additional details are attached.

• Broker Partner Updates

New Partner- REMN:  We are pleased to offer a new broker partnership with REMN and are looking forward to their EXCELLENT LO and Borrower hand-holding experience with the 203k and HomeStyle product offerings.  REMN will provide 203H options as well.  Additionally, we are DELIGHTED to announce that REMN has a stand-alone HELOC 5-day close product.  Production Support will coordinate training, so watch for the invitations coming soon!

Union Savings Bank – RESTRICTED: We continue to experience hardships with Union Savings and have determined a restriction in business operations is necessary.  With the constant revision in how they conduct themselves (from the initial disclosure process through underwriting submission and changing loan approval terms and decision last minute) Effective Monday, 12/19/22, Union Savings Bank brokered loan requests will include a more in-depth review process to ensure the loan officer understands the risk involved.

• • As a point of interest, Union Savings Bank has clarified their lending footprint and confirmed full LTVs are only available in OH, KY, IN, PA, and FL.  Other states are subject to reduced LTV and/or other restrictions.  There are some areas in MI, MN, and IL where the full LTV is available.  Union Savings does not lend in TX, AZ, CO, or NM.  Updated Submission, Closing and other information for this lender has been uploaded to Howee

• Pipelines Update

Pipeline Management: With the start of the new year upon us, we will be rolling out new Pipeline Management policies. As you may be aware, we are looking to have clean and accurate pipelines moving forward. This will assist us in not only accurately forecasting our internal revenue, but also ensure we are staffed properly to meet the necessary accommodations regarding closings and other operational procedures. In addition, we will be providing extra support regarding the loan process, should a loan stall for a myriad of circumstances we will be reaching out to see if the issue can be elevated to a senior manager to see if a solution can be found. Our ultimate goal is to close as many loans as possible!

ECOA: Changes are coming to the LSN/Notice of Incompleteness procedure. This will be a more automated process to ensure our compliance and fulfillment, though it won’t be intrusive to the way we do business. We are hosting a training for this new process next week – watch your inbox for an invitation!

• UW Submission Standards: Reminder  

As a reminder, the updated Underwriting Standards Checklist should be utilized for your new submissions. This new checklist includes the new requirements for running aiUW on all files and the use of the Underwriting Cover Letter. The updated standards are attached. If you missed the recent aiUW training call, you can review it here

• Reminder: Brokered Loan Folder  

Effective December 1, a new pipeline folder is being utilized to house our Brokered Loans. This folder will help ensure better file flow through underwriting and help us to efficiently monitor our in-house closings for the month. Once your file is approved for brokering, Production Support will move the file into the new Brokered Loans folder from Prospects. Upon completion, the file will be moved from the Brokered Loans folder into the Closed Loan folder.

Agency Updates

• Fannie Mae Highlights

1. Removal of 10 Year Age Limit on Single-Wide Manufactured Homes – Single-Wide Manufactured Homes are now eligible so long as the unit was manufactured on or after June 15, 1976, which aligns with the age limit of other manufactured home products.  Updated Matrix Attached.
2. Temporary Leave Income – Mandatory Leave initiated by an employer, such as a furlough, is not considered temporary leave.  In addition, Fannie Mae has clarified that income resulting from a furlough, layoff, or other employer-initiated action is not eligible to be used as qualifying income unless it is associated with seasonal employment.
3. Use of Business Assets – If self-employment income is not being used to qualify for the loan but the borrower is using assets from their business towards down payment, closing costs, or reserves, there is no requirement to perform a cash-flow analysis.  We must however verify that the borrower listed as an owner of the account and the account is verified in accordance with Selling Guide B3-4.2-01, Verification of Deposits and Assets.
4. Gift Letters – Gift Letters can now show the actual or the maximum dollar amount of the gift.  In addition, the Gift Letter no longer requires the specified date the funds were transferred.
5. Property, flood, and project insurance updates – Due to the extensive updates, please review attached Selling Guide Announcement indicating the sections of the Fannie Mae Selling Guide that have been impacted.

• Freddie Mac Highlights

1. Freddie Mac Bulletin 2022-24 – Update to ACE+PDR requirements that were announced in Bulleting 2022-13 in June of 2022.
2. Freddie Mac Bulletin 2022-25
   1. IMPORTANT!!!  COMING ON AND AFTER MARCH 7, 2023 – Cash-Out Seasoning is being updated to at least 12 months between the Note Date of the Mortgage being refinanced and the Note Date of the new cash-out refinance Mortgage).  Excluded from this guidance are special purpose cash-out refinance Mortgages that meet the requirements in Section 4301.6 or if the First Lien Mortgage being refinance is a HELOC.
   2. Freddie Mac has now included in their definition of “Related Person” to include unrelated individuals with close, family-like ties to the Borrower.  This expands on eligible gift donors as well as flexibilities to other guide sections.
   3. Gift Funds – In addition to expanding on the definition of “Related Persons”, Freddie Mac is now allowing a trust established by a Related Person and an estate of a Related Person to be eligible donors of gifted funds.
   4. Contingent Liabilities – Property-related expenses such as taxes, insurance, HOA dues, etc, may now be excluded from the DTI ratio when documentation in the Mortgage file confirms that a party other than the Borrower has been making timely payments for the most recent 12 months and the party making the payments is not an interested party to the transaction.
   5. Temporary Leave Income – Freddie Mac is aligning with Fannie Mae to state that employer-initiated actions such as furloughs and layoffs are not considered temporary leave where income can be considered.

• FHA: ML 2022-18 – FHA is now accepting Private Flood Insurance effective December 21, 2022!  Please review the attached Mortgagee Letter for requirements that will be updated in the 4000.1 Handbook.

• VA: GREAT NEWS!!!  Effective as of November 26, 2022, an ongoing maintenance agreement from an HOA of a joint maintenance agreement from the owners of properties accessed by a private road or shared driveway is no longer required.  The following actions will be taken on these properties:

• • A recorded permanent easement or recorded right-of-way from the property to a public road is still required to be placed in the loan file.
  • Item 5 of the Notice of Value (NOV) will no longer be marked as item 5 of the NOV since it no longer applies.

• USDA

USDA has announced UPCOMING revisions to Chapters 9 and 15 of the USDA Handbook 3555.  These are anticipated to be implemented in January 2023.  The updates are extensive and EXCITING so we have attached the full Procedure Notice as well as a much clearer Highlight.  Our favorite update is regarding sourcing deposits:  We will no longer be required to source and explain EVERY non-payroll deposit.  USDA is loosening up the requirement to only need to source recurring deposits as well as non-recurring deposits greater than $1,000.

Upcoming Events and Reminders

If you need an invitation to one of the Zoom meetings listed below, please respond to this message or email ProductionSupport@vandykmortgage.com

• Iron Sharpens Iron: Tuesday, December 20 @ 11am Eastern
• VanDyk Mortgage Newscast: Friday, December 16 @ 1:30pm Eastern
• Production Roundtable: Thursday, December 22 @ 3pm Eastern (You don’t want to miss it! Teaser: “Your mom goes to college…”)
• ECOA Update Training: Monday, December 19 @ 2pm Eastern (Invites will be emailed Friday)

Idaho Housing and Finance Association: Homebuyer Education

Please note that Idaho HFA does not accept Fannie Mae HomeView for homebuyer education – they will accept the Finally Home course.

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4506-C Form Changes

As a reminder: As we receive feedback from DataVerify, Encompass will be updated to accommodate changes that come across for the 4506-C form.

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TBDs/Files on Hold – Move your ECDs!

Reminder: for any TBD or file on hold with an ECD of 12/31/22 in Encompass, please push it to 12/31/2023. IT has added in the first payment dates in Encompass through July 2024

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Combining Buydown Programs and DPA

Please be advised that buydown programs are unable to be combined with certain DPAs. For example, Essex DPA will not allow a buydown.
Check with your underwriter or AskUW@vandykmortgage.com to confirm.

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Reminder-Appraisal Delivery – Just need one

FYI, we need appraisal delivery confirmation from only ONE person involved in the transaction. If the subject is a primary residence, the appraisal delivery needs to be delivered to a borrower who will occupy as their primary. If it is a VA loan, it must be delivered to the veteran. If the subject is a second home or investment, the delivery confirmation can be from any person on the loan. The delivery confirmation received from ValueLink showing the report was delivered is sufficient.

Alternately, an email to the borrower showing the report was sent will work (if you send to the email address, we have eConsent for) or the report is delivered via SimpleNexus and proof of delivery uploaded.

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VanDyk Happenings – Did You Know?

Keep an eye out for Did You Knows to be posted in the VanDyk Happenings Facebook group – Lindsey will frequently be posting helpful information!