Alternative mortgage scoring question

[valaub]

If my credit is reasonably good and I can go to a lender that I already used (Countrywide) and show that I have made ALL payments with no lates on the mortgage, will that make any difference at all? (We got the house 4 years ago and used my wifes parents as they have remarkably higher credit scores which correlate to lower rates).

I can show every payment on time via autodraft. My credit has improved dramatically, but I'm guessing a national lender will not care in the least. Am I wrong? Other alternatives?

[ShanetheMortgageMan]

I don't completely understand your question... what are you looking to accomplish?

[MidnightVoice]

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valaub wrote:

If my credit is reasonably good and I can go to a lender that I already used (Countrywide) and show that I have made ALL payments with no lates on the mortgage, will that make any difference at all? (We got the house 4 years ago and used my wifes parents as they have remarkably higher credit scores which correlate to lower rates).

I can show every payment on time via autodraft. My credit has improved dramatically, but I'm guessing a national lender will not care in the least. Am I wrong? Other alternatives?

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I am assuming you have had some baddies that lower your score.  Was the loan in your name 4 years ago?

[Anonymous]

Some lenders will use an alternative scoring for refi or new purchases if you can show responsibility for debt for at least 12 mos.  My girlfriend was approved using utility bills and a statement from a previous landlord because she had no credit to speak of.

[valaub]

I realized after getting to the responses that I wrote this poorly and my question was very unclear. Here is a (hopefully) better version.

The house we live in is in my wife's parents names. All payments come from MY checking account and I have all the statements to back that up. We have really improved our scores over the past 4 years, but not quite enough, I'm assuming, to qualify for the best levels of mortgag rates.

My question is:

Will my previous lender (or any  lender) factor in that I've made all the payments on time and from my checking account? I know most just go by scores and util but are there any adjustments that can be made on a case-by-case basis?

[ShanetheMortgageMan]

Because you've been making the payments from your account it'll show you have a "vested interest" in this property and you'll be able to refinance instead of purchase.  Plus there are loan programs, such as FHA, which will include non-traditional trade lines to qualify (such as your payments on the mortgage from your checking account, utilities, insurance, etc.), and isn't score sensitive (just credit history sensitive).  If your situation is borderline, meaning that an underwriter could either approve it or not approve it depending on what mood they are in and if they've had their cup of coffee in the morning, then the fact that you've been making the mortgage payments from your checking account could push their opinion to the approve your loan rather than deny it.