Applying for a mortgage with a co-borrower or co-signer makes it easier to qualify for a loan, but it can be difficult if you decide to go your separate ways. Life can throw you curveballs, but you have options if you want to remove someone from a mortgage.
Removing someone from a mortgage typically involves refinancing under one name or paying off the mortgage in full. Under certain circumstances, your lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage.
It can get complicated, but here’s what you need to know about how to remove someone from a mortgage.
When Is Removing Someone From Your Mortgage a Good Idea?
Removing someone from a mortgage, either a co-signer or co-borrower, typically involves a big life change. This can be divorce, separation, or simply just wanting to have the mortgage in one name.
While you may be the one to keep the house in a divorce or separation and have agreed to take over the mortgage payments, you both are still responsible for loan repayment. This means that if you miss payments and default on the loan, the lender can go after both names on the mortgage.
In this situation, the credit scores of both you and your ex could be negatively impacted. If the property goes into foreclosure, the effect on your finances could be even more disastrous. If the amount that the home sold for in foreclosure is less than the amount owed to the mortgage lender, the lender could come after you for the difference.
Removing someone from a mortgage isn’t a decision to be taken likely and should only be done because of a drastic life change. Depending on how the name is removed, it could come with higher costs and other consequences.
How to Remove Someone From a Mortgage: What Are Your Options?
The first step you should take is to ask your lender how to remove someone from a mortgage. Depending on your circumstances, your lender may give you several options.
Refinance
Refinancing may be the best option to remove someone from a mortgage. If your ex agrees to let you have the house and you have enough equity, income, and a decent credit score, you should be able to refinance your existing mortgage in your name.
However, you will need a strong credit profile and enough income to qualify for a mortgage refinance on your own. The requirements to refinance depend on your lender and the type of refinance option you choose.
Also, removing a borrower doesn’t change how the property is titled but it does remove the lower credit score from rate pricing. It also removes the other borrower’s income from loan qualification, which could affect your eligibility to refinance the loan.
If you have a co-borrower, you may need to buy out their stake in the property through a cash-out refinance. This allows you to refinance into a larger loan and receive the difference in cash.
Pay Off the Loan in Full
If you can’t refinance your existing mortgage, your lender may require you to pay off the loan in full in order to remove someone from a mortgage. This closes out the loan and removes your name as well as any co-borrower or co-signer from the mortgage.
Depending on how much debt you have, this may not be an option. If you don’t have the cash readily available to pay off the mortgage, you may need to sell the home to pay the remaining balance.
Loan Assumption
An assumable mortgage allows you to remove the co-borrow or co-signer and take on the original loan balance under the same terms and interest rate. You will also need to ask the lender for a release of liability, which protects your ex or co-signer if you fail to make payments.
This would be the easiest option, but most lenders won’t agree to a loan assumption. Assumable mortgages are risky, and the lender will want proof that you can afford to make monthly mortgage payments on your own.
Loan Modification
Loan modification allows you to make changes to the existing loan without refinancing. Modification is usually approved to provide long-term financial relief for borrowers experiencing financial hardship.
Some lenders may allow the borrower who was awarded the home in a divorce to apply for a loan modification. Before determining whether loan modification will work, the lender may evaluate:
- The nature of the hardship
- Your ability to pay
- The amount owed
- Your equity in the property
- Your future financial situation
Need help finding the right home loan? Total Mortgage’s loan experts are standing by to help you to understand your options. We have branches across the country.
How to Remove Your Spouse/Ex From a Mortgage
Removing your spouse or ex from a mortgage involves cooperation. Before removing their name from the mortgage, your spouse or ex will need to sign a quitclaim deed, which transfers their share of ownership to you. Once the quitclaim deed is signed and filed with the county, you can contact your mortgage lender to discuss your options.
Depending on your financial situation, removing your spouse or ex from the mortgage may require a refinance, loan assumption, loan modification, or by paying off the balance in full.
How to Remove Your Name From a Mortgage
The methods for removing your name from a mortgage are generally the same whether you’re a co-borrower or co-signer. However, if you’re separating or divorced as a co-borrower, you will need to sign a quitclaim deed to give up all rights to the property.
First, you and the borrower or co-borrower should ask the lender for a loan modification or loan assumption to remove your name from the loan. If this doesn’t work, the other borrower will need to refinance the mortgage into a new loan. You could also pay the mortgage in full or sell the home and take your share of the equity.
Consider Your Options With Total Mortgage
Wondering how to remove someone from a mortgage? Total Mortgage has your back. Life changes are complicated, but your mortgage doesn’t need to be.
At Total Mortgage, we have mortgage experts across the country to help you with your home-buying needs. Contact Total Mortgage to explore your options. You can even apply for a loan online today and get a free quote.
Source: totalmortgage.com