When must a Mortgagee downgrade and manually underwrite a mortgage with an Accept risk classification?

The Mortgagee (Lender)  must downgrade and manually underwrite any Mortgage that received an Accept recommendation if: 
  • the mortgage file contains information or documentation that cannot be entered into or evaluated by TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard;
  • additional information, not considered in the Automated Underwriting System (AUS) recommendation affects the overall insurability of the Mortgage;
  • the Borrower has $1,000 or more collectively in Disputed Derogatory Credit Accounts;
  • the date of the Borrower’s bankruptcy discharge as reflected on bankruptcy documents is within two years from the date of case number assignment;
  • the case number assignment date is within three years of the date of the transfer of title through a Pre-Foreclosure Sale (Short Sale);
  • the case number assignment date is within three years of the date of the transfer of title through a foreclosure sale;
  • the case number assignment date is within three years of the date of the transfer of title through a Deed-in-Lieu (DIL) of foreclosure;
  • the Mortgage Payment history, for any Mortgage trade line reported on the credit report used to score the application, requires a downgrade as defined in Handbook 4000.1 II.A.4.b.iii (K) - Housing Obligations/Mortgage Payment History;
  • the Borrower has undisclosed mortgage debt that requires a downgrade; or
  • business income shows a greater than 20 percent decline over the analysis period.
 
If a determination is made that the Mortgage must be downgraded to manual underwriting, the Mortgagee must cease its use of the AUS and comply with all requirements for manual underwriting when underwriting a downgraded Mortgage.
 
For additional information see Handbook 4000.1 II.A.4.a.v.–vi. available at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh

All policy information contained in this knowledge base article is based upon the referenced HUD policy document. Any lending or insuring decisions should adhere to the specific information contained in that underlying policy document.


Topic Number: KA-02114
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