Tag Archive for: condo financing

Non-Warrantable Condo Financing in Richmond, CA (2026)

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A non-warrantable condo in Richmond means a unit in a project that does not meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines, which puts conventional financing out of reach. Richmond has plenty of them, especially along the waterfront, and a 2026 rule change makes it more important to get ahead of the issue before you are under contract. The good news is that these units are still financeable with the right lender. Here is what triggers non-warrantable status in Richmond, what changed in August 2026, and how these deals actually get done.Read More

Even Better Non-Warrantable Condo Financing; 40% Of Our Business = Non-Traditional Loans

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A few years ago, I was very worried about the commoditization of the mortgage industry, as about 90% of our business was 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with full income documentation. Everyone was offering the same product, and many borrowers (online shoppers in particular) did not seem to care about our online reviews, faster closes, assistance getting offers accepted, better service, etc. - they just wanted a lower rate. Fortunately, that has changed markedly, as unique products now reign supreme.Read More

This Is Huge: FHA Spot Approvals Work For Non-Warrantable Condos

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Not all non-warrantable condos are eligible for alternative financing, but if there is a way to finance them – JVM will find it. In any case, we have discovered that FHA is (shockingly) often much more flexible than Fannie and Freddie when it comes to approving condominiums for financing.Read More

Non-Warrantable Condo Financing; Rules For Condos

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We have been getting an unusually large number of non-warrantable condos lately. There is much confusion about them, so I thought a blog about them would be helpful. A non-warrantable condo is a unit that is not eligible for conventional or FHA financing because the complex fails to meet the requirements set by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and most jumbo lenders.Read More

Mortgage Reminders: My Inconsistent Fed Comments; Rent Backs; Owner Occ Ratios; Attached PUDs/Townhomes; 12 Condo Considerations

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Here are a few random reminders. Powerless Fed Vs. Inflation-Causing Fed. In response to my recent blog about the Fed being “Powerless,” I got this comical point from an agent I […]Read More

Condos Not Always “Cheaper” Than Single-Family Residences; Condo Questions To Ask

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I read recently that the median single-family home price in Marin County, California is almost $500,000 more than the median condo price. So, condos are way cheaper, right? Not always, […]Read More

Top 5 Tips for Buying a Condo in Texas

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Condos are an excellent option for buyers looking to upgrade to a larger single-family residence without all the upkeep of a detached home. These are our top five tips for Texas buyers interested in buying a condo in Texas.Read More

No Bubble Here; FHA Condo Spot Approvals

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FHA CONDO SPOT APPROVALS ARE BACK STARTING TOMORROW Starting tomorrow, an entire condominium complex will no longer need to be “FHA Approved” for a buyer to use FHA financing to […]Read More

More Condo Reminders – Non QM; Owner Occ Ratios; Condo vs. Townhome; 12 Considerations

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Below are a few more reminders for condo buyers. Non-QM Loans for Condos There is a condo complex near our office that is still 25% owned by the developer. This […]Read More

New Condo Complexes/Phases Do NOT Have to Be Complete

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Many loan officers and real estate agents mistakenly believe that condo projects and/or phases within a project must be complete before units within them are eligible for mortgage financing. We, […]Read More

Top 5 Tips for Buying a Condo in California

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Condos are an excellent option for buyers looking to upgrade to a larger single-family residence without all the upkeep of a detached home. These are our top five tips for buyers looking to buy a condo in California:Read More

A Few Things to Know When It Comes to Condo Financing

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Fannie Mae recently loosened their condo guidelines. So, we thought this was a good excuse to share a few condo reminders: A FEW THINGS TO KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO […]Read More

Condo Owner Occupancy Ratios Re-Visited; 2 to 4 Units – All But One

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We had many questions on Monday about Owner Occupancy Ratios and condos, so we want to reiterate this: If a buyer intends to occupy a condo, his financing will not […]Read More

Condos in Litigation; Sometimes OK; Options

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Explore how a condo purchase in an HOA under litigation can still secure Fannie Mae financing when the issues are minor. Learn about the implications and alternatives—like non-warrantable loans with higher rates and down payments—if the litigation were more severe.Read More