CMG MI Program Guideline Changes for All Programs – Effective 11/6/09

Effective November 6, 2009, CMG Mortgage Insurance Company (CMG MI) is making a change to our program guidelines.

Changes to CMG MI’s Conforming & Non-Conforming Guidelines, Effective 11/6/09

  • LTV/Loan Amount – For loan amounts up to $417,000
    • Second Home
      • 90% LTV to $417,000
        • Minimum 720 loan representative credit score

  • Loan Type
    • Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period)
      • Purchase Only
      • Owner-Occupied
        • Minimum 700 loan representative credit score
      • Ineligible: Loan Amounts > $417,000
    • Balloons
      • Owner-Occupied/Second Home: Term ≥ 5 years

  • Subordinate Financing
    • Second Home – new subordinate lien must be fully amortized

  • Loan Purpose
    • Cash-Out Refinance– loan where the proceeds exceed the outstanding principal balance of existing lien plus reasonable and customary closing costs; pay off or subordinate a junior lien which is seasoned less than 12 months whether or not the borrower received any cash from the transaction; all debt consolidation is treated as Cash-Out
      • Owner-Occupied
        • Maximum 85% LTV to $417,000
          • Minimum 720 loan representative credit score
          • Maximum $75,000 cash back to borrower at close
      • Ineligible: Property listed for sale in the last 12 months, property purchased within the last 12 months, Second Home, Investment Property, Condominium, Co-op, Third Party Originations, Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period), and Self-Employed Borrower
    • Rate/Term Refinance
      • Ineligible: Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period)

  • Credit History
    • Although a credit score can be generated with one trade line, CMG MI does not consider the credit score valid unless at least three open and active trade lines are evaluated for a minimum of 12 months
    • If the minimum payment for a revolving debt is not stated on the credit report, five percent (5%) of the outstanding balance must be used when calculating the debt ratio or supporting documentation must be provided to support actual minimum payment
    • If the minimum payment for an installment debt or student loan is not stated on the credit report, a copy of the contract or payment letter must be provided to support actual payment

  • Qualifying Rate
    • Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period) qualify using the greater of the initial rate or the Fully Indexed Accrual Rate (FIAR)

  • Minimum Down Payment
    • Second Home
      • Minimum 10% of borrower funds must be verified as part of the transaction

  • Maximum Interested Party/Seller Contributions & Concessions
    • Second Home
      • Maximum 6% not to exceed the lesser of the property’s sales price or appraised value

  • Eligible Properties
    • Owner-Occupied
      • Condominiums
        • Maximum 95% LTV to $417,000
          • Minimum 700 loan representative credit score
        • Ineligible: Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period)
      • Co-ops
        • Ineligible: Short Term ARMs (1 to 3 years fixed period)
    • Second Home
      • 1-unit single-family detached and attached
      • Ineligible: Condominiums, co-ops, 2-4 units, manufactured homes, condotels, timeshare/interval ownership, mixed use, builder inventory and spec homes, and third party originations

  • Multiple Loans to a Borrower – Remove from Second Home "currently insured with CMG MI"
    • Within the 3 loans to a borrower limit, CMG MI will only accept the maximum amount on the following:
      • Primary Home – 1 loan maximum
      • Second Home – 1 loan maximum
      • Investment Property – 1 loan maximum (currently insured with CMG MI)

  • Appraisal – Clarification on requirements
    • All appraisals must be in writing or electronic. Standard format is as follows:
      • Single-family and Detached PUDs – Uniform Residential Appraisal Form (Fannie Mae Form 1004/Freddie Mac Form 70, dated 2005); OR
      • Condominiums – Individual Condominium or PUD Unit Form (Fannie Mae Form 1073/Freddie Mac Form 465, dated March 2005); OR
      • Cooperative Housing Units – Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report – Fannie Mae Form 2090 and the Exterior-Only Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report – Fannie Mae Form 2095; AND
      • Market Conditions Addendum to the Appraisal Report – Uniform Residential Appraisal Form (Fannie Mae Form 1004 MC/Freddie Mac Form 71, dated March 2009)

The following should be noted:

  • Changes supersede previously issued CMG MI approved program variations
  • Changes apply regardless of submission channel to CMG MI
  • Changes apply regardless of any Automated Underwriting System (AUS) recommendation or decision

For more information, please see the links below:


Changes to CMG MI’s Distressed Markets – Effective November 6, 2009

The 11/6/09 changes include significant updates to CMG MI’s Distressed Markets Policy and List.

Questions? Please contact your CMG MI Account Executive.

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