The severe losses suffered by Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE's), Wall Street firms, and other investors across the U.S. resulted in credit tightening and the disappearance of the loan products that caused these losses. The foremost of these loan types was the high-risk, 100% CLTV 2nd mortgages on investment properties, most of which were transacted with Stated Income and Stated Income Stated Asset (SISA) documentation. This type of loan started disappearing two to two and a half years ago with credit tightening or discontinuance occurring rapidly. Additional high-risk loan programs that caused much damage were the Owner Occupied SISA and No Doc loans. Such mortgages are no longer available from most mortgage lenders.



The struggle to mitigate high losses led to maximum loan-to-value (LTV) percentages being reduced for conforming full-documentation loans for homes in declining markets (areas where home values have gone down). The reduction was done with the hope that default rates would decrease, and is being lifted this summer under certain circumstances.

During the first half of 2008, conventional/conforming loans (non-governmental loans equal to or under $417,000) and FHA loans have been popular. Borrowers with low credit scores have the possibility of qualifying with both types of loans, although the FHA loans may be capped at a minimum of 580 FICO score. FHA loans allow a slightly higher loan-to-value ratio (lower down payment) than the conventional loans.

The following are three temporary mortgage programs that came about because of the current mortgage crisis:

FHASecure - this is a refinance loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration and is available for homeowners with a non-FHA adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Originally intended for people who had defaulted on their ARM, or would likely default when the rate reset, it is now available to a wider demographic.

FHA High Balance - HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) has established limits for its FHA-insured loans that vary by county. It has temporarily increased the allowable size of the loans that it insures. These higher balance loans may actually have better rates than smaller FHA loans.

Agency Jumbos - (also known as Conforming Jumbos). Jumbo loans are usually those that are greater than $417,000. Loans equal to or smaller than this amount are considered "Conforming" loans and have guidelines different than Jumbo loans that must be met in order to qualify. Through the rest of 2008, loans up to $729,750 qualify under the regular Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan guidelines with the addition of some underwriting restrictions. The actual maximum loan amount depends on the county limits established by HUD and is valid only for 1-unit purchases (i.e., the maximum does not apply to duplexes).

Look up HUD's loan limits by county at: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm