Does un-cosigning help?

[topdotter]

I cosigned on my brother's student loans a few years ago. Now I want to buy a home and it doesn't seem to be affecting my credit score too badly but it's being included in the mortgage lenders' calculations as affecting my monthly payments.

1. If I come off as a cosigner, how long until the credit report reflects this?
2. If it's not immediately (and I don't mean a few months but rather that it sticks for, say, seven years or so) will lenders be willing to take my action into consideration even if it's still on my credit report? For example by supplying documentation from the student loan company?
3. Anything else I should know?

Thanks!
Shmuel

[topdotter]

I spoke to the lender and they said I can't just "come off" the loan as a cosigner. They said my brother would have to take out another loan to pay this off for me to come off. Does that sound right? It's not a federal student loan, it's a private one.

Thanks,
Shmuel

[J.A.]

How long has he been paying on the loan? Sometimes if you can show (documentation) that he has been paying this loan himself, they won't count this into your debt ratio. Let me know.