Are There Mortgage Discrimination? Find Out!

Mortgage discrimination is exercised by banks or any other lending organizations denying loans to individuals or group of people based on race, origin, gender or religion. Fortunately, there are now several federal laws which oversee all the processing of loans.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act

ECOA ensures that lenders would not base their decision on whether or not to grant credit on the basis of sex, race, marital status, origin, age or religion. Creditors may inquire these information but they may not use them to discriminate loan application such as mortgage loan.

The Fair Housing act

This Act prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions on the basis of sex, race, marital status, origin, age or religion. These transactions include selling, brokering or appraising the property. The Fair Housing Act applies to both the sale of a home and decision of the lender to grant you mortgage loan. If the lender straightly based the decision on the mentioned factors, then they are guilty of discrimination.

The two laws state that lenders must primarily base their decisions on the applicant’s financial capability including net income, expenses, debt and credit history. In essence, not all applicants qualify to these terms but the lender must only deny loans if there’s a case of applicant’s failure to meet the financial requirements. Furthermore, lenders are required to specifically recognize and explain to the applicant the reason for denial.

How to ensure mortgage eligibility?

Perhaps the best way to ensure that loan will be accepted is that applicants must perform diligence on their own financial situation. To be prepared for application, you must foremost identify your income and debt and that you must get a copy of your credit report in order for you to know your credit history and score. However, if ever discrimination does exist, you can always seek refuge from the FHA or from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. By taking proper action, you stand firm to saying no to mortgage discrimination otherwise you will experience denial over and again unless reprimanded.

What are the things to bring when meeting with the lender?

When meeting the mortgage lender for the first time, you should be able to carry with you the following essential papers:

· Purchase of contract for the house

· Your bank address and bank account numbers together with account statements for the previous 2-3 months

· Proof of employment and income verification or tax returns for the last 2 years

· Credit card bills to show payment history

· If somebody is financing the down payment or closing cost of the home, you may bring any gift letter stating that the money is generously given without implication of any debt

The mortgage loan approval process usually begins with the interview phase whereby the potential home buyer and the money lender will discuss vital things about the loan. Nonetheless, remember that home ownership can now be achieved by all income levels and that discrimination on mortgaging must be properly addressed.