It’s wild how much depends on who picks up the phone or which underwriter you get.
That’s honestly the part that drives me nuts. You can do everything right and still get stuck because someone’s having a bad day or just doesn’t want to deal with anything outside the box. I’ve seen online lenders move faster, but they’re not always more flexible—sometimes it’s just more automated rejections. Has anyone actually had a lender tell them upfront they work with non-permanent residents, or is it always buried in the fine print?
Honestly, I’ve never had a lender just come out and say, “Yep, we work with non-permanent residents.” It’s always this weird dance where you have to dig through their guidelines or get someone on the phone who actually knows the rules. I’ve found that smaller local banks are sometimes more upfront and willing to talk through the details, but even then, it depends on who you get. The inconsistency is frustrating, but I guess that’s just the game.
Yeah, I hear you on the inconsistency. It’s like every time you think you’ve got a straight answer, someone else at the same bank tells you something different. In my experience, FHA loans are technically open to non-permanent residents, but you’ve gotta have the right paperwork—usually a valid work visa or green card, and sometimes they want extra documentation to prove you’ll be around for a while.
I’ve had deals where one lender was all-in, no problem, and another just flat-out refused, even with the same client profile. The smaller banks and credit unions can be more flexible, but it really comes down to who’s sitting across the desk from you. Sometimes it helps to work with a mortgage broker who’s used to these situations—they tend to know which lenders are actually willing to play ball.
It’s a pain, but if you keep digging, there’s usually someone out there who’ll make it work. Just gotta be ready for a bit of a runaround...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen folks get burned thinking a broker could smooth things over. When I refinanced last year, my broker swore up and down that my status wouldn’t be an issue, but the underwriter still flagged my visa and the whole thing stalled for weeks. It’s not just about finding someone willing—it’s about how much risk you’re comfortable taking on if something falls through last minute. Sometimes the “runaround” ends with a dead end, and that stings way more if you’re already invested in the process. Just my two cents...
“Sometimes the ‘runaround’ ends with a dead end, and that stings way more if you’re already invested in the process.”
That’s the kicker, isn’t it? I’ve seen folks get deep into paperwork only for the underwriter to hit the brakes over a visa detail nobody flagged early on. Brokers aren’t miracle workers—we can help spot landmines, but we can’t defuse every one. It’s all about risk tolerance and making sure you know where the potholes are before you start driving. I always tell people: hope for smooth sailing, but pack a life vest just in case...
