Once the assumption has been approved, you'll also have to pay closing costs, but these are generally lower when you assume a mortgage compared to getting one on your own.
VA loans and USDA don't require any down payment and you can get an FHA loan for as little as 3.5% down. But you'll need to make a much larger down payment — at least 15%, according to Tozer — when assuming one of these loans. The reason is, an assumable loan rarely covers the full purchase price of the house.
As mentioned, lenders must approve an assumable mortgage. If done without approval, sellers run the risk of having to pay the full remaining balance upfront. Sellers also risk buyers missing payments, which can negatively impact the credit score of both the buyer and seller.
In some situations, a buyer may be able to assume the seller's existing mortgage. The buyer takes over the seller's mortgage payments, and the seller receives the value of their equity in the home. An assumable mortgage could have advantages for a buyer, but it also has notable drawbacks.
Assumption offers a rare chance to access lower rates as a buyer or, if you're the seller, boost buyer interest in your house. Lower closing costs. You'll likely have lower closing costs, as certain costs on assumed mortgages are capped.
In a simple assumption, the seller remains liable for the outstanding mortgage debt. If the buyer defaults on payments, both parties' credit scores are affected. This shared risk can strain the relationship between buyer and seller and lead to financial repercussions for both.
If you choose to get a new loan, you will typically be required to make a down payment of 3.5 to 20 percent or more. When you assume a loan, you do not have to make a down payment.
You'll be asked to provide extensive documentation, much like you would when securing financing the traditional way. That's why it's important to have copies of pay stubs and W-2's ready ahead of time. Keep in mind that the average loan assumption takes anywhere from 45-90 days to complete.
Government Assistance
For example, California has the CalHFA program available to qualified low-income buyers. The program provides grants and loans to eligible borrowers, and the money can either directly subsidize part of a down payment, or cover the entire thing, depending on certain factors.
Average closing costs for the buyer run between about 2% and 6% of the loan amount. That means, on a $300,000 home loan, you would pay from $6,000 to $18,000 in closing costs in addition to the down payment. The most cost-effective way to cover the costs is to pay them out-of-pocket as a one-time expense.
Most lenders and title companies do not accept credit cards for your closing cost payments, but you may be able to use one to pay certain fees leading up to closing. Speak with your lender to learn more about your options.
The fee is paid to the lender to transfer the mortgage from the seller to the buyer. It covers the lender's administrative costs associated with transferring the mortgage from the seller to the buyer. The fee is usually a percentage of the outstanding mortgage balance, ranging from 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount.
"In the current mortgage interest environment ... it is nearly always better to assume the mortgage rather than refinance," says Julia Rueschemeyer, a Massachusetts-based attorney specializing in divorce mediation. "Refinancing involves thousands of dollars in transaction fees and higher interest rates."
Yes, closing costs can be included in a mortgage loan. This is also known as “rolling” closing costs into a loan. The downside of rolling closing costs into a loan is that you will be paying interest on the closing fees, so you'll pay more for your mortgage in the long run.
Assumable mortgage pros
Capped closing costs — The FHA, VA, and USDA impose limits on closing costs when a mortgage is assumed. And you probably won't need a new home appraisal. Long-term savings — You'll likely save on interest because you're borrowing less over a shorter time than with a new mortgage.
You'll need to qualify for the mortgage that you're assuming, which means you may need a credit score of at least 500 for an FHA loan or 620 for a VA loan.
A disadvantage is when the home's purchase price exceeds the mortgage balance by a significant amount, requiring you to obtain a new mortgage. Depending on your credit profile and current rates, the interest rate may be considerably higher than the assumed loan.
Key Takeaways
Assumable mortgage benefits can have a better interest rate for the buyer than the market rates. For the seller, an assumable mortgage helps them avoid settlement costs. Generally, most mortgages are no longer assumable. Some USDA, VA, and FHA loans may be assumable if they meet certain criteria.
Typically, removing a name from a mortgage could require you to pay off the loan in full or refinance it with a new loan. But, there are alternatives where you can take over the loan without paying off it off or refinancing. These could include mortgage assumption, loan modification and bankruptcy.
4-1 GENERAL. All FHA insured mortgages are assumable.
The 35/45 rule
With the 35/45 model, your total monthly debt, including your mortgage payment, shouldn't exceed 35% of your pre-tax income or 45% of your after-tax income. To estimate your affordable range, multiply your gross income before taxes by 0.35 and your net income after taxes by 0.45.
An estimated 12.2 million loans, or 23 percent of active mortgages, are assumable, according to Intercontinental Exchange, a data and technology firm, though most conventional mortgages (which account for the majority of existing loans) are not.