
The loan seasoning period is a critical aspect of mortgage approval, and understanding it can make a big difference in getting your dream home.
Typically, the loan seasoning period is 6 months, but it can be as long as 12 months for certain types of loans.
This period is crucial because it allows you to establish a payment history on your mortgage, which is a key factor in determining your creditworthiness.
The longer you have been making payments on your mortgage, the stronger your credit profile will be, making it easier to get approved for a new loan or refinance your existing one.
Suggestion: Accent Seasoning
What is Loan Seasoning?
Loan seasoning is the process of waiting a certain amount of time before applying for a loan. This time frame can vary from lender to lender, but 60 days is a common requirement.
Some lenders may only require a 30-day seasoning period, while others may want to see your funds for 90 or more days. It's essential to find out from your lender how long you need to wait before starting the loan process.
Lenders become skeptical when money appears suddenly, so they want a paper trail of your funds. They'll ask about your down payment funds and where they're being kept, and may even request "seasoned" funds instead of using a loan to get the funds.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Va Loan Seasoning Period
What Are Experienced Funds?
Seasoned funds are considered funds that have been in your account for a specified amount of time. Many lenders require a 60-day seasoning period, some want to see that money in an account for 90 or more days, and others may only require a 30-day period.
Lenders become skeptical when money suddenly appears, and they'll want a paper trail of every last cent you have and expect to have in the near future. This includes your down payment funds, which they'll ask about and expect to be "seasoned."
Lenders are especially wary of borrowers who have taken out another loan to get those funds, as it makes the borrower more of a risk and may put the other lender in first place should you default on your mortgage.
Expand your knowledge: Loan Estimate 7 Day Waiting Period
Lenders Prefer Seasoned Borrowers
Lenders become skeptical when money suddenly appears, seemingly out of nowhere. Your lender will want a paper trail of every last cent you have and expect to have in the near future.
Lenders are especially wary of borrowers who have taken out another loan to get those funds, making the borrower more of a risk. This can also put the other lender in first place should you default on your mortgage.
Some lenders require a 60-day seasoning period, while others want to see that money in an account for 90 or more days. There are even some lenders who require only a 30-day period.
To avoid any issues, it's best to check with your lender to find out how seasoned your funds must be.
Benefits and Importance
Loan seasoning is a crucial concept in commercial real estate finance, and understanding its importance can help you navigate the process with ease. A seasoned loan is one that has been held for a certain period of time.
Lenders view loan seasoning as a reliable indicator of a borrower's payment history, and it can make or break a refinancing or supplemental loan application. Many types of loans, including HUD multifamily loans, have specific loan seasoning rules.
Having a seasoned loan can open doors to better loan options, such as a commercial equity line of credit, which is often not available to borrowers who have held a loan for less than a year. In fact, most commercial and multifamily lenders require a minimum of one year of seasoning before approving a commercial equity line of credit.
Demonstrating reliability through loan seasoning can give you an edge when applying for a refinance or supplemental loan. For instance, while there is no specific seasoning requirement for the HUD 223(a)(7) refinance, lenders are unlikely to offer it to a borrower who has held a HUD multifamily loan for less than 2-3 years.
Related reading: Home Equity Loan to Pay off Student Loans
Loan Approval and Rejection
Unseasoned funds can result in a mortgage application being rejected if the borrower cannot provide documentation for recent large deposits, making it a risk for lenders.
A cash gift received 6 months before applying for a mortgage is considered seasoned, but the lender may still ask for documentation regarding the gift's origin.
A fresh viewpoint: Mortgage Loans
If a lender considers a large deposit unseasoned, it can lead to a mortgage application rejection, so it's essential to understand the loan seasoning period.
Seasoning periods can affect loan approval, and it's crucial to be aware of the rules to avoid any issues during the mortgage application process.
A seasoned cash gift can still raise suspicions with lenders, so it's vital to be prepared to provide documentation to support its origin.
On a similar theme: What Is a Loan Application
Mortgage Requirements and Exceptions
Typically, funds need to be seasoned for at least 60 days for mortgage approval. However, this period may vary based on the lender's policies and the specifics of the mortgage application.
There are some exceptions to mortgage seasoning requirements. If you accept a gift from a friend or relative, the funds don't have to be seasoned in your bank account. Refinance seasoning requirements also don't apply if you inherit the property or if a divorce court awards you the property.
Some other exceptions to mortgage seasoning requirements include renovated properties and majority ownership of an LLC-owned property. Additionally, seasoning requirements don't generally apply to investment property mortgages.
Discover more: Can You Transfer Heloc to Another Property
Common Real Estate Requirements

In the world of commercial real estate, loan seasoning requirements can be a major hurdle for borrowers. The most common loan seasoning requirements for commercial real estate vary depending on the type of loan.
For example, HUD multifamily loans, such as HUD 221(d)(4) and HUD 223(f) loans, typically require a seasoning period of 2-3 years before a borrower can refinance.
Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac multifamily loans also have specific loan seasoning rules, usually requiring a minimum of one year before a borrower can refinance.
Most commercial and multifamily lenders will not let you take out a commercial equity line of credit unless your loan has been seasoned for at least one year.
Here's a quick rundown of some common loan seasoning requirements:
Exceptions to Mortgage
Exceptions to Mortgage Requirements are in place to make the process more flexible and accommodating for certain situations. If you accept a gift from a friend or relative to help cover the down payment or closing costs, the funds don’t have to be seasoned in your bank account.
Refinance seasoning requirements also don’t apply if you inherit the property. Similarly, if a divorce court awards you the property, refinance seasoning limits don’t apply.
Renovated properties are also exempt from refinance seasoning requirements. If you have majority ownership of an LLC-owned property and transfer it to yourself, the waiting period likewise doesn’t apply.
Seasoning requirements don’t generally apply to investment property mortgages, either.
Other Programs Needed
Other programs may have specific requirements to be eligible for a loan. For instance, some commercial lenders may require a borrower to have held a HUD multifamily loan for at least 2-3 years before offering a refinance or supplemental loan.
This is because lenders want to see that a borrower is reliable and can make payments on time. If a borrower has only been making payments for a few months, lenders may be hesitant to offer additional financing.
Some commercial lenders may have specific seasoning requirements for certain loan programs, such as the HUD 223(a)(7) refinance. However, this requirement is not always explicitly stated and may vary depending on the lender.
Check this out: Business Commercial Loans
In general, lenders want to see that a borrower has a track record of making payments on time and has demonstrated reliability. This can help borrowers secure financing for commercial real estate and other loan programs.
Here are some examples of loan programs that may have seasoning requirements:
- HUD 223(a)(7) refinance
- HUD 221(d)(4) loan
- HUD 223(f) loan
Freddie Mac Supplemental Financing Requirements
Freddie Mac Supplemental Financing Requirements can be quite complex, but don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you. Freddie Mac requires a 12-month seasoning period for supplemental financing, which means you'll have to wait a year after taking out the initial loan before you can apply for additional financing.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, Freddie Mac Manufactured Housing Resident Owned Community Loans permit seasoned refinances, but the seasoning period is more flexible and depends on the amount of shares in the community that have been sold to residents.
If you're looking to take out a split supplemental loan, which is originated simultaneously with the initial loan, you won't have to wait for the 12-month seasoning period. But if you're looking to take out multiple supplemental loans, you'll have to wait for another 12-month seasoning period between each.

Here's a quick summary of the Freddie Mac Supplemental Financing Requirements:
Keep in mind that these requirements can change, so it's always a good idea to check with Freddie Mac directly for the most up-to-date information.
Refinance
Lenders like to see a track record of on-time mortgage payments before they refinance you at the best interest rates.
You can expect a required mortgage seasoning period of six to 12 months before lenders allow you to refinance.
If you want to refinance an FHA loan to get rid of the private mortgage insurance (PMI) premium, you'll need at least two years of seasoning.
You can only borrow up to 80% of the property value (80% loan-to-value ratio, or LTV) if you want to avoid PMI, and it takes time to build that kind of home equity.
However, lenders do make an exception for renovations - if you buy a fixer-upper, you can refinance for a new mortgage after completing the renovations.
Financial Risks and Considerations
Financial risks and considerations during a loan seasoning period are crucial to understand. Borrowers should be aware that lenders may view a loan that is still within its seasoning period as a higher risk investment.
A loan that is less than 12 months old may be considered a newer loan, which can make it more difficult to refinance or sell. This is because lenders may view the loan as having a higher risk of default.
Borrowers can minimize these risks by making timely payments and working to improve their credit score. By doing so, they can increase their chances of successfully refinancing or selling their loan during the seasoning period.
For more insights, see: During Forbearance Interest Will Still Accrue on Your Loans
Risks in Real Estate
Loan seasoning can be a significant risk for commercial real estate investors. This is because lenders may be unwilling to offer a borrower a refinance or a supplemental loan for a certain period after they have received initial financing.
A borrower has not demonstrated reliability if they have only been making payments on a loan for a few months. This is a common concern among commercial lenders.
For instance, lenders are unlikely to offer the HUD 223(a)(7) refinance to a borrower who has held a HUD multifamily loan for less than 2-3 years. This can limit a borrower's options for securing financing.
Most commercial and multifamily lenders will not let you take out a commercial equity line of credit unless your loan has been seasoned for at least one year. This can be a significant limitation for borrowers who need access to additional funds.
It's essential to understand the risks associated with loan seasoning to make informed decisions about your commercial real estate investments.
Bankruptcy and Foreclosure
Bankruptcy and foreclosure can be major hurdles to overcome when trying to get a mortgage, but they're not insurmountable. Declaring bankruptcy or going through foreclosure doesn't prevent you from taking out a mortgage again, but it does bar you from borrowing for a while.
Expand your knowledge: Fha Loan Bankruptcy Waiting Period
Typically, bankruptcies keep you from borrowing for two to four years, while foreclosures can keep you out for up to seven years. It's essential to disclose any bankruptcy or foreclosure on your record, as lenders will see it on your credit report regardless.
Lenders allow exceptions to these seasoning requirements, so it's worth asking about allowed exceptions before assuming you can't move forward. These exceptions can make a big difference in your ability to get a mortgage.
Related reading: Do Heloc Close after 5 Years
Securing Financing
Securing financing for commercial real estate can be a challenge for small business owners, but loan seasoning can help. Loan seasoning demonstrates a borrower's reliability, making them more attractive to lenders.
Many commercial lenders require a certain period of loan seasoning before offering a refinance or supplemental loan. For instance, lenders are unlikely to offer the HUD 223(a)(7) refinance to a borrower who has held a HUD multifamily loan for less than 2-3 years.
This means that small business owners need to plan ahead and factor in the loan seasoning period when seeking commercial real estate loans. By doing so, they can increase their chances of securing the financing they need.
Here are some key considerations for small business owners seeking commercial property loans:
- Commercial Mortgage
- Commercial Property Loans
- Loan Seasoning
- commercial real estate loans
Purpose and Definition
Loan seasoning period is a concept that helps lenders assess the risk of lending money to a borrower.
It's a way for lenders to look at your credit history and see if you've had a track record of responsible behavior.
The purpose of mortgage seasoning is to determine if you're a reliable borrower.
Lenders want to see that you've had time to establish a history of on-time payments and good credit habits.
A lender wouldn't want to lend money to someone who just got discharged from bankruptcy last week.
This is because they want to see a longer history of responsible behavior before making a loan.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/seasoning.asp
- https://womackdevelopment.com/real-estate-blog/your-down-payment-what-are-seasoned-and-sourced-funds/
- https://homebuyer.com/learn/seasoning
- https://www.commercialrealestate.loans/commercial-real-estate-glossary/loan-seasoning/
- https://www.moneycrashers.com/mortgage-seasoning-requirements/
Featured Images: pexels.com