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First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

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Anonymous
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First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

 
Message 1 of 18
17 REPLIES 17
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?



johninark wrote:



I dont think so, I believe you have to show earnest money..
Message 2 of 18
DallasLoanGuy
Super Contributor

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

Cannot be borrowed.
 
Retired Lender
Message 3 of 18
Anonymous
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Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

Except for 401K, right?
Message 4 of 18
DallasLoanGuy
Super Contributor

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

you are borrowing from yourself.... which isn't borrowing.
 
Retired Lender
Message 5 of 18
MattH
Senior Contributor

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?



@DallasLoanGuy wrote:
you are borrowing from yourself.... which isn't borrowing.





Similarly, one can take out a policy loan against the cash value of other investments such as the cash value of a life insurance policy, and again that isn't debt. When I took out a loan on my life insurance policy for part of the down payment, the underwriter did ask for a letter from New York Life documenting the source of the money that suddenly appeared in my bank account.
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Message 6 of 18
DallasLoanGuy
Super Contributor

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

Good point, Matt
Retired Lender
Message 7 of 18
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

Many loan programs vary with underwriting so you should speak with your lender about such requirements but typically down payment and closing costs cannot be borrowed. Many programs allow gifts from families or not-for-profit organizations, and even federal and state grant programs that can provide down payment and closing cost assistance. Programs may also allow the seller to pay the closing costs so you can negotiate the costs into the sales contract. Typically, secondary market guidelines limit seller concessions to no more than 3% of the purchase price of the home. If the closing costs are required to be paid by the borrower then the underwriter would require verification typically through deposit statements reflecting that you have adequate funds to close. You may still be able to borrow money if you are avoiding wiping out the checking account which the lender may be okay with if they have verified that you have enough on deposit but make sure that you notify them of the borrowed funds so that they can incorporate the new debt into your debt-to-income ratio. Good luck with your home purchase!
Message 8 of 18
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?



@DallasLoanGuy wrote:
Cannot be borrowed.
 





Okay, here's a dumb question (and, NO, I am not seeking to "buck the system!!" ): what's to keep someone from cash advancing the money from a CC to pay for closing?

I mean, how would they KNOW where the money came from??

For that matter, why can't you borrow the money for closing? I thought that some loans roll the closing costs into the loan itself ... wouldn't that be borrowing for the closing?

Again, not trying to find a way to get past the system or cheat in ANY way, just curious!!
Message 9 of 18
Anonymous
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Re: First time home buyer? Can you use a credit card to pay closing costs?

 
Message 10 of 18
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