For many investors, the underwriting qualifications are stiffer for jumbo loans. The reason is this: the bank is stuck with the loan for as long as the borrower has it. The bank needs to be assured of the quality as examiners review their books on a continual basis.

Borrowers who buy higher priced homes are often more ‘complicated’ than conventional borrowers. At a high level, their tax returns are more involved. Many are self-employed, in sales or own (even partially own) various entities. Therefore, careful review of tax returns from all areas of the borrower’s file is needed. Additionally, since the properties are more expensive, there is more exposure to the bank, so the appraisals are carefully reviewed to ensure the collateral is solid.

Lenders require the last two years of tax returns. If you filed a tax extension, they will take the extension and the previous two years to have two full years to review. If you own a company or own/partners in >25% of a company, they will require a full set of business returns. For C Corps, LLCs and LLPs, they will determine the % owned by the K1 filed. The lender is looking for consistent income as that is used to predict the future income.

A lender can’t tell a CPA what to do or not to do. At a 50,000 foot view, the rule is this: whatever you tell the government you earn is what you are telling the bank you earn. Lenders will add back certain items to help income (e.g. depreciation, mileage expenses), but generally, if your AGI is $100,000 on your taxes, that is what the bank uses.

Generally, the lender will require two appraisals to verify the value of the property. Rates are also a tad higher for loans over $1mm. Thirdly, debt-to-income ratios are typically lower and credit scores need to be higher. Finally, the amount of required reserves increases.

In a nutshell, funds in your various financial asset accounts. Lenders require a certain # of months to be in the account to ensure the borrower has enough to pay the loan in lean times. Lenders require anywhere from four months to 18 months depending on who the lender is and the loan amount, credit scores, etc. Important note: business account funds cannot be counted unless your CPA is willing to write a letter stating the liquidation of funds in the business account will not affect the business in any negative manner.

No real differences if the borrower is prompt in returning all paperwork when requested. I see most real estate contracts with 30 – 45 day closings.

Most likely, it will be handled as a construction loan (see my other FAQs on construction loans). If the remodeling is on the small scale, you can do a simple renovation loan and finance it all at once.