Wholesale ALERT – Updated Tax Transcript Policy, Overlays, Access, Edge & Elite Guidelines, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Guidelines

Access, Edge & Elite

The guidelines for Access Non-QM, Edge Non-QM and Elite QM were updated within several topics.

 

Please review the Arc Guideline Update Summary for a side-by-side comparison of the guideline revisions and policy effective dates, which is available HERE. As a reminder, this summary document is intended to highlight the guideline updates only; please refer to the Arc Underwriting Guide and product matrices for the complete Access, Edge, and Elite program guidelines.

 

The updated matrices and Arc Underwriting Guide will be published on the website soon (HERE).

 

Conventional Overlays

The Arc Home Overlays for all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs have been updated to indicate that when a borrower is using a Written Verification of Employment (WVOE) to verify income and the WVOE is not completed by a third-party, a copy of the most recent paystub is required.

 

The revised Conventional Overlays will be available on the Arc Home website (HERE) soon.

 

Fannie Mae

Effective for Fannie Mae loan applications dated on or after June 1, 2024, Arc Home will align with the changes communicated in Fannie Mae Announcement SEL-2024-01 for the topic below.

·         Property Insurance Requirements: Clarified property insurance requirements to ensure all properties are sufficiently insured. Refer to Fannie Mae Selling Guide B7-3 for details.

 

Additionally, Arc Home will align with the 2024 Area Median Income (AMI) limits announced in the Fannie Mae Selling Notice, effective for HomeReady casefiles created in Desktop Underwriter (DU) on or after May 19, 2024. HomeReady casefiles created in Desktop Underwriter (DU) prior to May 19, 2024 will continue to use the 2023 AMI limits.

 

Freddie Mac

Effective for Freddie Mac loan applications dated on or after June 1, 2024, Arc Home will align with the changes communicated by Freddie Mac in Bulletin 2024-1 for the topic below.

·         Adequacy and Availability of Insurance: Revised property insurance guidelines to ensure the subject property is covered by adequate insurance. Refer to Freddie Mac Selling Guide 4703.2 and Selling Guide 4703.3 and for complete details.

 

Additionally, Arc Home will align with the 2024 Area Median Income (AMI) limits announced in Freddie Mac Bulletin 2024-C, effective for Home Possible loans submitted to Loan Product Advisor (LPA) on or after May 19, 2024.

·         For Home Possible resubmissions to LPA on or after May 19, 2024, the income limits will be based on the better of the 2023 AMI at 80% or the 2024 AMI at 80%.

·         For new Home Possible submissions to LPA on or after May 19, 2024, the income limits will be based on the 2024 AMI.

 

Tax Transcript Policy

The Arc Home Tax Transcript Requirements Policy was updated as indicated below. These changes are effective immediately. The revised Arc Home Tax Transcript Requirements Policy will be available on our website (HERE) soon.

 

Tax Transcript Requirements

Topic

Previous Guideline

New Guideline

·    Access NQM

·    Edge NQM

·    Elite QM

IRS tax transcripts are always required prior to closing for all income types that require tax returns. The number of years of tax return documentation will be specified by the product requirements (including when the borrower is employed by a family member).

IRS personal tax transcripts are always required prior to closing for all income types that require tax returns. Business transcripts are not required. The number of years of tax return documentation will be specified by the product requirements (including when the borrower is employed by a family member).

·    1-Year W-2

·    1-Year 1099

Transcripts for the previous year are required.

Transcripts for the previous year are required. The year-end paystub, statement, or similar documentation may be used in lieu of the transcript when no record is found on the transcripts.

·    Fannie Mae

·    Freddie Mac

·    Conventional Investment Property

·    FNMA/FHLMC Second Home & Investment

·    VA

IRS tax or W-2 transcripts are required prior to closing:

·    When there is a relationship between the employer and borrower; and

·    At the underwriter’s discretion if needed to address red flags; and

·    When the most recent tax returns have not been filed.

IRS tax or W-2 transcripts are required prior to closing:

·    When there is a relationship between the employer and borrower; and

·    At the underwriter’s discretion if needed to address red flags; and

·    When the most recent tax returns have not been filed.

·    Fannie Mae HomeReady

·    Freddie Mac Home Possible

·    FHA

IRS tax or W-2 transcripts are required prior to closing:

·    When there is a relationship between the employer and borrower; and

·    At the underwriter’s discretion if needed to address red flags; and

·    When the most recent tax returns have not been filed.

IRS tax or W-2 transcripts are required prior to closing:

·    When there is a relationship between the employer and borrower; and

·    At the underwriter’s discretion if needed to address red flags; and

·    When the most recent tax returns have not been filed.

·    When the borrower is using a written verification of employment (WVOE) to verify income and the WVOE is not from a third party.

Application Date on or after 4/15/2024, but Note Date before 10/15/2024

If the borrower has not filed 2023 tax returns:

·    2022 W2 transcript or tax transcript(s) and the prior year (if applicable on products that require two years of income)

§ For wage earners wanting to qualify with 2023 income, the end of year 2023 paystub and 2023 W-2 or 1099 may be used in lieu of tax transcripts.

·    AND all of the following:

§ 2023 Extension (Form(s) 4868 and/or 7004) and proof that the tax payment was made (if applicable)

§ Tax transcripts confirming “No Transcripts Available” for 2023

§ For self-employed borrowers: 2023 P&L and 1st Quarter 2024 P&L

If the borrower has not filed 2023 tax returns:

·    2022 W2 transcript or tax transcript(s) and the prior year (if applicable on products that require two years of income)

§ For wage earners wanting to qualify with 2023 income, the end of year 2023 paystub and 2023 W-2 or 1099 may be used in lieu of tax transcripts.

·    AND all of the following:

§ 2023 Extension (Form(s) 4868 and/or 7004) and proof that the tax payment was made (if applicable)

§ Tax transcripts confirming “No Transcripts Available” for 2023

§ For self-employed borrowers: 2023 P&L and YTD 2024 P&L (underwriter discretion)