How Long is Credit Information Retained on Your File

A Credit Reporting Agency may report negative information for seven years.

exceptions:

  • Crminal convictions may be reported without any time limitation.
  • Bankruptcy – up to 10 yrs.
  • Response to application for a job with a salary > $75,000 – no time limit.
  • Information reported re: an application for > $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance –  no time limit.
  • Lawsuit or an unpaid judgment – the longer of 7 yrs or until the statute of limitations expires.

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FICO score is as follows:

  • 35 percent payment histories
  • 30 percent amount of debt (e.g. don’t use over 50% of a credit line).
  • 15 percent length of time credit line has been open (a longer history is better if there have always been timely payments).
  • 10 percent very recent history including new applications for credit.
  • 10 percent type/mix of credit, includes installment loans (like car loans), leases, mortgages, credit cards, and so on.

FHA APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS

Effective April 1, 2009, FHA appraisers must now provide the following:

  • The Market Conditions Addendum (Fannie Form 1004MC/Freddie Form 71)
  • At least two comparable sales that occurred within 90 days of appraisal date
  • A minimum of two active listings or pending sales in addition to the three closed comparables
  • Bracketed listings using both dwelling size and sales price when possible
  • Adjusted active listings to reflect the list-to-sales price ratio
  • Adjusted pending sales to reflect contract sales price when possible
  • The original list price and any revised list prices
  • Reconciliation of adjusted values of active or pending sales with adjusted values of closed comparable sales
  • Absorption rate analysis
  • Known or reported sales concessions on active and pending sales

This update includes this warning: “Direct Endorsement Lenders are reminded that if the appraiser they selected provides a poor or fraudulent appraisal that leads FHA to insure a mortgage at an inflated amount, the lender is held responsible equally with the appraiser for the integrity, accuracy and thoroughness of an appraisal submitted to FHA.”