What You Need To Know About The Risks Of Co-signing Before You Say Yes

Edgar DeJesus • Sep 28, 2021

The Risks Of Co-signing Pros and Cons

The theme of co-signing has been coming up a lot lately.

 

Below is an excellent article you must read before you decide to co-sign.

 

Co-signing is great for the person you are co-signing for, but it can negatively affect you when you need to use your credit, whether you're purchasing a home, a car or appliances.

 

Please think twice before co-signing, no matter who you’re potentially going to co-sign for.


Original Source
Equifax

When a friend or relative asks you to cosign a loan, your first instinct may be to agree and help them out of a tight financial spot. That’s understandable: When done responsibly, cosigning can be an invaluable tool for helping a loved one with poor or limited credit history gain access to the housing or credit they need. However, before you pick up that pen and sign on the dotted line, be sure you know how attaching your name to someone else’s debt may potentially impact your own finances.


What does it mean to cosign a loan?


Cosigning for someone means you’re taking responsibility for the loan, lease or similar contract if the original borrower is unable to pay as agreed. Whatever you cosign will show up on your credit report as if the loan is yours, which, depending on your credit history, may impact your credit scores.


Cosigning a loan doesn’t necessarily mean your finances or relationship with the borrower will be negatively affected, but it’s not a decision you should make lightly. Before you agree to help out, sit down with the borrower to discuss the situation and the borrower’s plan to keep up with their financial obligations. Make sure you both understand what is required of you as the cosigner, and together weigh the pros and cons of this action on your relationship. Take special care to discuss what will happen should the borrower be unable to keep up with their payments as agreed and ensure they understand how you may be affected as well.


The benefits of cosigning a loan


Clearly, cosigning a loan is most beneficial for the individual for whom you agree to cosign. It can be a great way, for example, to help your child build credit. When a young adult is just starting out, it can be hard to get a loan or credit card with a decent interest rate because they lack the credit history that lenders use to determine if a prospective borrower is reliable. Cosigning for your child allows them to start building the credit history they need while reassuring the lender that they’ll get repaid.


Possible disadvantages of cosigning a loan


By cosigning for another individual—child or otherwise—you are putting yourself on the line for that person’s loan. If the borrower is responsible in their repayment habits, there should be no negative impact on you, but if you find that is not the case, you could be seriously affected:


  • It could limit your borrowing power. Potential creditors decide whether or not to lend you money by looking at your existing debt-to-income ratio. Depending on how much debt you already have, the addition of the cosigned loan on your credit reports may make it look like you have more debt than you can handle. As a result, lenders may shy away from you as a borrower.


  • It could lower your credit scores. Because that debt shows up on your credit reports as if it were your own, your credit scores will be affected by any late or missed payments. If the borrower stops paying altogether and the loan goes into collection, that could also go on your credit reports, and the bill collectors could come after you to get their money. Lenders or collectors could even sue you, garnish your wages or put a lien on your property in an effort to collect the balance of the debt.


  • It could damage your relationship with the borrower. You should also consider how cosigning a loan might impact your relationship with the borrower. You’ll be tied to this person, and any possible financial upheavals, for the term of the loan, whether that’s six months or 10 years. You’ll be responsible for repayment if the borrower has financial difficulties or if something else goes wrong, and your relationship could suffer.


As with many aspects of personal finance, there’s nothing wrong with helping out a friend or family member in need. Just make sure that you’re ready for any impact on your own financial situation before you lend a hand to a loved one.


“Here’s what to do now… download your free homebuyer ebook, click here.” 

 

My name is Edgar DeJesus. I’m the mortgage advisor and branch manager of Treasure Coast Home Loans. Call or text, (772) 444-6362, with any questions that will let me separate opinion from opportunity. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my latest real estate and mortgage report.


Start your pre-approval

Get Ebook

Start Your Mortgage Application with Treasure Coast Home Loans

Your Local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Port St. Lucie, Florida

Learn More About the Mortgage Process.


Check Out Our Google Verified Reviews

By Edgar DeJesus 28 Mar, 2023
Are you in the market for a new home? If so, it's essential to understand the role of appraisals in the buying process. Appraisals are an important part of the homebuying process that assesses the value of a property. They provide an objective opinion of the property's market value, and lenders use them to determine how much money they are willing to lend. In short, appraisals protect buyers and lenders from overpaying for a property. A low appraisal can have a significant impact on your ability to purchase a property, potentially causing you to lose the deal altogether. For example, if you are pre-approved for a loan based on a certain purchase price, but the appraisal comes in lower, your lender may only be willing to lend you the appraised value, leaving you to make up the difference. In this article, we'll explore what you can do if you receive a low appraisal. Losing a Property Due to Low Appraisal A low appraisal can be devastating for homebuyers. In some cases, it may even result in losing the property altogether. However, it's essential to remember that there are steps you can take to contest the appraisal and potentially salvage the deal. One of the first things you should do if you receive a low appraisal is to review the report in detail. Look for any errors or omissions that may have affected the value. For example, if the appraiser overlooked a significant feature of the property, like a pool or an additional bathroom, that could impact the appraisal. Once you have identified any errors or omissions, you can request a review of the appraisal or file a formal appeal with the lender. If you are unable to resolve the issue through a review or appeal, you may need to renegotiate with the seller. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, you can request that the seller lower the price or split the difference with you. However, be aware that the seller is not obligated to renegotiate the price, so you may need to walk away from the deal if you cannot reach an agreement. Contesting the Appraisal One way to contest a low appraisal is to complete a rebuttal form. This form allows you to provide additional information that may have been overlooked during the appraisal process. By doing so, you may be able to sway the appraiser's opinion and receive a higher evaluation. When filling out the rebuttal form, be sure to include any documentation that supports your claims. For example, if you believe the appraiser overlooked a significant feature of the property, provide photos or other evidence that shows the feature exists. Once you have completed the form, submit it to the lender or appraiser for review. It's important to note that a rebuttal form may not always result in a higher appraisal. However, it's still worth taking the time to fill out the form and provide additional information. Doing so may help you get a more accurate appraisal and improve your chances of securing financing. Renegotiating with the Seller Another option is to renegotiate with the seller. If you can't secure financing for the full amount, you can potentially come up with the difference by negotiating a lower purchase price or making a larger down payment. This may help you bridge the gap and still acquire the property. When renegotiating with the seller, it's important to be respectful and professional. Explain the situation and provide evidence to support your claims. For example, if you have a higher appraisal from another lender, share it with the seller to demonstrate the property's true value. Remember that the seller is not obligated to renegotiate the price, so be prepared to walk away from the deal if you cannot reach an agreement. If you do reach an agreement, make sure it's in writing and signed by both parties. This will protect you in case any issues arise later in the process. It's also important to communicate with your lender throughout the renegotiation process to ensure that you are still on track to close on time. Ultimately, renegotiating with the seller can be a viable option for homebuyers who receive a low appraisal. It may require some negotiation and compromise, but it can help you get the home you want at a price you can afford. Accepting the Offer with a Low Appraisal Alternatively, you may decide to accept the offer despite the low appraisal. In this case, you can come up with the difference between the appraisal value and the purchase price by making a larger down payment or securing additional financing. If you decide to go this route, it's important to understand the risks involved. First, you will need to make up the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price, which could be a significant amount of money. This may require dipping into your savings or securing additional financing, which can impact your financial situation. Second, accepting a low appraisal could make it more difficult to sell the property in the future. If you decide to sell the property down the line, you may find that the appraised value is lower than what you paid for the property. This could make it harder to sell the property for a profit, or even at all. If you do decide to accept the offer with a low appraisal, make sure you are comfortable with the risks involved. Consider talking to a financial advisor or real estate agent to understand the implications of your decision. It's also important to communicate with your lender throughout the process to ensure that you are still on track to close on time. If you're facing a low appraisal, it's important to take action quickly. Contact Edgar DeJesus at Treasure Coast Home Loans to discuss your options and find a solution that works for you. Edgar has years of experience in the mortgage industry and can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the appraisal process. Call Edgar at (772) 444-6362 to learn more about mortgages and appraisals today.
By Edgar DeJesus 03 Oct, 2022
Here are 4 ideas that will help you take years off of your mortgage and help you find financial freedom!
By Edgar DeJesus 30 Jun, 2022
I just finished publishing a new article where I share the 83 different forms of turbulence you can experience when buying a home. Can you believe it, they’re 83 different things that can interfere with you closing on time or even closing at all on your new home purchase.
By Edgar DeJesus 17 Jun, 2022
Our current seller's economy puts many homeowners in an unusual predicament. In an ideal world, you'll have sold your old home and purchased a new one hand in hand - yet that's just not the case right now.
By Edgar DeJesus 26 May, 2022
You've found the home of your dreams, but there's one problem: It needs work.
By Edgar DeJesus 19 May, 2022
Your credit report impacts your life more than the average person realizes, with more negative consequences than you may think.
By Edgar DeJesus 12 May, 2022
If you are looking for a mortgage program that allows your buyers to get a lower rate, consider our 2-1 buy down program. This is one of the most popular mortgage programs we offer, as it allows you to get 2% below market rates in year 1 and 1% below market rates in year 2.
By Edgar DeJesus 06 May, 2022
The day you close on your home is one of the most exciting days of your life. You’ve finally found your dream home and now it’s yours!  But, what happens when you move in? You may notice some unexpected expenses that come with buying a home. Here are 3 things to expect after closing on your home:
By Edgar DeJesus 28 Apr, 2022
Since the start of the new year and interest rates rising, big mortgage and banking companies have been laying off loan officers and other employees including processors.
By Edgar DeJesus 21 Apr, 2022
If you’re in the market to buy a home and you are not paying cash, you must complete a mortgage application to obtain a home loan.
More Posts
Share by: