- On the URLA, borrowers must disclose their monthly housing expense. This expense includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Utilities such as electricity and water service
Monthly housing expense on the URLA includes PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) but does not include utilities. Utilities are considered separate living expenses and are not part of the housing payment calculation used for qualifying ratios.
- The URLA requires disclosure of the source of funds for the down payment and closing costs. Which source would typically require the most additional documentation?
Answer: Gift funds from an immediate family member with proper documentation
Gift funds typically require the most documentation including a gift letter, donor financial statements, evidence of donor's ability to give, and tracking of fund transfers. Other sources require verification but generally have more straightforward documentation requirements.
- When a borrower indicates on the URLA that they will occupy the property as their primary residence, which additional disclosure requirement applies?
Answer: The borrower must certify their intent to occupy within 60 days
When claiming primary residence occupancy, borrowers must certify their intent to occupy the property within 60 days of closing. This is a standard requirement to prevent occupancy fraud. Property disclosure occurs in other sections, occupancy affidavits are separate documents, and homestead exemptions are post-closing considerations.
- The demographic information section of the URLA requests borrower race and ethnicity data. What must an MLO do if the borrower refuses to provide this information?
Answer: The MLO must make a visual observation and record their assessment
Under HMDA requirements, if a borrower refuses to provide demographic information, the MLO must note the refusal and make a visual observation to complete the monitoring information. This data is required for regulatory reporting but borrowers cannot be denied credit for refusing to provide it voluntarily.
- When completing a loan application, which debt obligation must be included in the borrower's liabilities even if they are not personally making the payments?
Answer: Business credit lines where the borrower provided a personal guarantee
Business debts with personal guarantees must be included because the borrower has contingent liability if the business defaults. Authorized user accounts without personal liability are typically excluded, deferred student loans may not require payment calculations, and mortgage debt without personal liability is generally not included in DTI calculations.
- When a borrower uses borrowed funds for the down payment, what information must be provided to the lender?
Answer: Loan source, payment terms, and monthly obligation
When borrowed funds are used for down payment, lenders must know the source of the loan, the repayment terms, and monthly payment obligation to accurately calculate the borrower's debt-to-income ratio and total monthly obligations. This information is essential for proper loan qualification and ability-to-repay assessment. Lender licensing, borrowing rationale, and collateral details are not required for the loan application process.
- When reviewing a borrower's bank statements during the application process, which deposit activity requires additional explanation and documentation?
Answer: Any deposit exceeding 50% of monthly income within 60 days of application
Large deposits (typically 50% or more of monthly income) within 60 days of application require source verification to ensure they represent legitimate, sustainable funds rather than borrowed money. The other thresholds and timeframes are not standard industry requirements for additional documentation.
- When completing the property information section of the URLA, what must be disclosed if the property is located in a special flood hazard area?
Answer: The property location and flood zone designation must be noted
The URLA property section requires disclosure of flood zone information when known. While flood insurance will be required and other flood-related documentation will be needed, the specific URLA requirement is to note the property's location and any known flood zone designation.
- The URLA requires borrowers to list their monthly liabilities. Which of the following debts must be included in this section?
Answer: All existing mortgage payments on other real estate properties
All mortgage payments on other properties must always be listed as monthly liabilities regardless of remaining term. Other installment debts are typically only included if they have more than 10 months of payments remaining, and deferred student loans may not count toward qualifying ratios.
- When completing the assets section of the URLA, which type of account information is NOT required to be disclosed?
Answer: Personal property values such as furniture and electronics
Personal property like furniture and electronics is not required on the URLA assets section. The application focuses on liquid and semi-liquid financial assets that can be verified and used for down payment, closing costs, or reserves. Bank accounts and life insurance cash values are required disclosures.
- When a borrower refuses to provide race and ethnicity information during the loan application process, which action must the MLO take according to ECOA requirements?
Answer: Note the refusal and make a visual observation or surname-based determination for reporting purposes
Under ECOA and HMDA requirements, when a borrower refuses to provide race/ethnicity information, the MLO must note the refusal and make a visual observation or surname-based determination for reporting purposes. No waiver is required, there are no legal consequences for refusal, and face-to-face meetings are not mandatory.
- To verify rental income for loan qualification purposes, which documentation is required from the borrower?
Answer: Current lease agreements, tax returns with Schedule E, and rental payment history
Rental income verification requires lease agreements, tax returns with Schedule E (rental income), and documentation of rental payment history. Schedule C is for business income, not rental. Property taxes and insurance are expenses, not income verification, and mortgage statements don't verify rental income.
- In the declarations section of the URLA, borrowers must answer questions about their financial and legal history. Which scenario would require a "Yes" response to the bankruptcy question?
Answer: The borrower filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that was discharged 5 years ago
Any actual bankruptcy filing, regardless of how long ago or whether discharged, requires a "Yes" response in the declarations section. Considering bankruptcy, having business associates file, or consulting attorneys without filing do not constitute bankruptcy filings by the borrower.
- When a borrower receives gift funds for a down payment, what information must be disclosed during the loan application process?
Answer: Gift source, donor relationship, and gift amount
When borrowers receive gift funds, lenders must document the source of the gift, the relationship between the donor and borrower, and the amount being gifted. This information is required to verify the legitimacy of the funds and ensure compliance with loan program guidelines. Donor credit history, tax implications, and cultural aspects are not required disclosures for gift fund documentation.
- When a borrower wishes to use a power of attorney to sign loan application documents, which requirement must be met?
Answer: The power of attorney must be specific for mortgage transactions and properly notarized
A valid power of attorney for loan document signing must be specific to mortgage/loan transactions and properly notarized with explicit authorization. General POAs may not suffice, court filing isn't required, temporary duration isn't necessary, and irrevocable POAs are not standard requirements.
- When a borrower receives gift funds for down payment, which documentation is required for loan qualification?
Answer: Gift letter with donor information, bank statements showing withdrawal, and relationship verification
Gift funds require a gift letter with donor information, proof the donor has the funds (bank statements), and verification of the relationship. Simple signatures are insufficient, appraisals are not required for cash gifts, and IRS forms are tax matters separate from loan qualification requirements.
