Why Mortgage Reserves Matter When Buying a Home

Setting aside cash for your down payment and closing costs is one of the earliest steps in the homebuying process. But aside from those two big-time expenses, you may also need to consider what’s known as “mortgage reserves.” For some loan scenarios, lenders want to see diverse revenue streams – like a well-kept savings account or other types of assets you can use to cover your mortgage should significant or unexpected changes occur to your income (we’re speaking from experience here). Enter stage left, mortgage reserves... 

What Are Mortgage Reserves?  

Mortgage reserves, also known as cash reserves or emergency funds, are assets that can quickly convert to ready cash after closing if you need help covering your mortgage payment. They grant lenders peace of mind, knowing you can afford your loan should you suffer a major loss of income or unemployment. Generally speaking, these reserves are the funds you still have available after covering your down payment and closing costs.  

Expert Tip

Think of mortgage reserves as a separate savings account – cash funds readily available when you need it most!

Sometimes required on both purchase and refinance loans, mortgage reserves are measured in months. Don’t worry, we’ll elaborate. If you have, say, $6,000 left over after purchasing your home, and your principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) come out to around $2,000, you have three months' worth of mortgage reserves to start. The more months you have in the “bank” to start, the better you’ll be off if the unexpected rears its ugly head.  

Not everyone needs mortgage reserves, but they could come in handy for borrowers with a less-than-ideal credit score or high debt-to-income (DTI) ratioThe percentage of your gross monthly income that is used to pay your monthly debt and determines your borrowing risk.debt-to-income (DTI) ratioThe percentage of your gross monthly income that is used to pay your monthly debt and determines your borrowing risk..

Acceptable Sources of Mortgage Reserves 

While not the standard for every lender, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group® accepts the following sources for mortgage reserves:  

• Checking or savings accounts 

• Vested investment stocks, bonds, or certificates of deposits (CDs) 

• Vested mutual, money market, or trust funds 

• The amount vested in a retirement savings account 

• The cash value of a vested life insurance policy 

Acceptance of these reserves are at the discretion of the Underwriter based on loan type and risk.

Unacceptable Sources of Mortgage Reserves  

Remember, your mortgage reserves are “ready cash,” meaning “money you have now.” So, the following examples CANNOT count as part of an Atlantic Bay Borrower’s mortgage reserves:  

• Funds that have not been vested 

• Funds that cannot be withdrawn under circumstances other than the account owner’s: 

  • Retirement 

  • Employment Termination 

  • Death 

• Stock held in an ineligible corporation 

• Non-vested stock options  

• Non-vested restricted stock 

• Personal unsecured loans 

• Interested Party Contributions (IPCs)Payment by an “Interested Party,” or combination of parties, toward origination fees, closing costs, or discount points.Interested Party Contributions (IPCs)Payment by an “Interested Party,” or combination of parties, toward origination fees, closing costs, or discount points.

• Any amount of Lender Credit 

• Proceeds from a cash-out refinanceThe option to replace your existing mortgage with a larger loan amount. The difference is paid to you in cash.cash-out refinanceThe option to replace your existing mortgage with a larger loan amount. The difference is paid to you in cash. transaction on the subject property

Remember, the list above does not serve as a standard for all lenders but can be a good rule of thumb to remember when gathering your reserves.   

Converting Mortgage Reserves To Cash  

When thinking about mortgage reserves, keep this little phrase in the back of your head: lenders love liquidity (we love alliteration, too, but that’s positively pointless). To make mortgage reserves “liquidInvestments easily convertible to cash without incurring penalty.liquidInvestments easily convertible to cash without incurring penalty.,” convert them to cash by: 

• Drafting or withdrawing funds from an account 

• Selling an asset 

• Redeeming vested funds 

• Obtaining a loan secured by assets from a fund administrator or insurance company 

That being said, mortgage reserves are not “solids,” like cars or collectibles.

Expert Tip

Lenders cannot consider your car, second home, or personal valuables as mortgage reserves because they can’t easily convert to cash.

When Are Mortgage Reserves Needed? 

Most lenders don’t need mortgage or cash reserves from borrowers unless the loan product or program requires them. Conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac can range from zero to six months of cash reserves depending on credit score and a few other factors, while Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans require at least one month of reserves in most cases and at least three months' worth for 3- or 4-unit properties. Reserves are at the Underwriter’s discretion for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans may not require cash reserves at all.  

It’s also important to note that reserve requirements can vary from lender to lender, and some may need reserves if the borrower’s down payment amount, credit score, or DTI ratio does not meet their guidelines. But here’s the good news: you have control over all three of those examples! 

How Much Do I Need In Mortgage Reserves?  

The exact amount you’ll need in mortgage reserves varies, depending on your loan program, credit score, DTI ratio, and even the difference between your loan program and loan-to-value (LTV). Lenders usually want to see at least a few months of mortgage payments in liquid assets, in addition to the down payment and closing costs, before closing. The less ideal your credit score or DTI ratio is, the more reserves a lender may require.  

What If I Don’t Have Enough Mortgage Reserves?  

If you don’t have the liquid assets right now to meet lender or loan program reserve requirements, don’t lose hope just yet. Evaluate your credit score and work with a Mortgage Banker to calculate your DTI ratio. The results may surprise you, and you may need fewer reserves than you think. And keep in mind, VA and USDA loans may not require cash reserves at all.  

But if you’re concerned about having enough reserves, create a savings plan to build up funds and other qualifications to get that lower reserve amount you’re looking for.

Speaking of...  

Boost Your Mortgage Reserves  

Mortgage reserves are never set in stone (...until they are), which means you can reduce the amount you’ll need to have by performing a few key actions. Review your budget and see if there are any expenses you can cut out, then redirect those funds to your mortgage reserves. You could also save automatically by setting up automated monthly deposits with your bank. Or maybe, for those fortunate folks out there, take part of your windfall incomeA sudden and substantial monetary gain (i.e., tax returns, inheritance, or lottery).windfall incomeA sudden and substantial monetary gain (i.e., tax returns, inheritance, or lottery). and put it toward your reserves. Just be careful to save enough money for other obligations.

Contact us today for more information about mortgage reserves and for tips on saving for these precautionary payments.