Articles Published in: 2012

April 24, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Questions: Appraisal Requirements For Peeling Paint

A reader asks, “If the buyer of a home built before 1978 is using an FHA mortgage to purchase, can I assume the appraisal is required to include a note if any chipping or peeling paint was observed both inside and outside of the home? Is there any written verbiage that states what the Appraisal shall include as required by Federal/HUD rules?” FHA loan rules governing appraisals do include rules governing chipping and peeling paint on properties built prior to 1978. According to FHA loan rules found on the FHA official site,

April 23, 2012

FHA Loan Rules Vs. Lender Rules

By Joe Wallace

There’s a common theme among many of our most frequently asked questions about FHA guaranteed home loans; “Why do the FHA rules say one thing, while my lender says another?” In many cases this question has to do with FHA rules covering appraisals, minimum property requirements, or even the minimum waiting period required after foreclosure before the borrower can try applying for a new FHA home loan. For example, the FHA loan rules about streamline refinancing loans state that an appraisal may not be required under the right circumstances. From the FHA official site: ” Streamline refinances can be insured with or without an appraisal. When an appraisal is completed FHA does not require the repairs (except for lead based paint repairs) to be completed, however the lender may require | more...

April 20, 2012

FHA/HUD Assistance For Hawaii Storm Victims

By Joe Wallace

The FHA and HUD have announced disaster assistance for victims of recent storms in Hawaii. According to a press release issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the department will “speed federal disaster assistance to the State of Hawaii and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding and landslides” during the month of March. The announcement comes after a presidential disaster declaration for Hawaii’s Kauai County. According to the press release, “The President

April 19, 2012

FHA Energy Efficient Home Loans

By Joe Wallace

The official FHA/HUD blog, The HUDdle, published a recent collection of links to housing news that included a radio report from the Boise, Idaho Public Radio station KBSX about a scientific study on the advantages of adding energy efficient improvements to buildings. The study, conducted by

April 18, 2012

Prison Time For Reverse Mortgage Scammers

By Joe Wallace

From time to time, we report news of housing scams that can affect FHA borrowers. It’s a way of raising the awareness that such scams exist, a reminder of the necessity of being careful in the loan process. The latest news from the FHA and HUD includes a report of three loan officers and a title agent who have been barred from doing business with the FHA/HUD following their convictions on fraud charges. The action was announced in a press release at HUD.gov, HUDNo.12-069: “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the indefinite debarment of three South Florida mortgage loan officers and a Pittsburgh title agent following their criminal convictions on charges they defrauded elderly borrowers, mortgage lenders and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Marcos Echevarria, | more...

April 18, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: Refinancing Loans and UFMIP Decreases

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks,“I

April 17, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Actions

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I filed Chapter 7 in 2010 and only 1 item was included. I filed due to divorce in 2007 and ex spouse did not pay house payments and he was evicted in 1/09 and home was padlocked and forgotten about by B of A. After so many letters and calls B of A finally foreclosed on padlocked property in 2011 THREE YEARS later. I have great credit score of over 700+and would like to buy. I have been renting for over 3 years. Is

April 16, 2012

FHA Reverse Mortgages, Scams, and Required HECM Loan Counseling

By Joe Wallace

There’s a special type of FHA home loan called the Reverse Mortgage, also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or FHA HECM loan for short. From the FHA official site, “If you are a homeowner age 62 or older and have paid off your mortgage or paid down a considerable amount, and are currently living in the home, you may participate in FHA’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program.”

April 13, 2012

Steps To An FHA 203(K) Fixer Upper Loan

By Joe Wallace

Some FHA loan applicants are interested in what the FHA calls “Handyman Specials” or “Fixer-Upper Loans” known as the FHA 203(K) mortgage. The FHA 203(K) is a loan guaranteed by the FHA, issued through a private lender for the purpose of buying and repairing property at the same time. There is a down payment requirement, which according to the FHA is “approximately 3.5%” of the purchase and repair costs. FHA 203(K) mortgages are available for those who intend to buy and occupy the property, but non-profit agencies and government entities can also apply. According to the FHA official site, there are a series of steps the borrower takes to apply for a 203(K) loan. First, the buyer finds a suitable property to purchase and repair. According to the FHA, both | more...

April 12, 2012

FHA Loan Credit Score Requirements

By Joe Wallace

The FHA recently published “The Facts on FHA” on the official blog of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of the highlights of that post included a list of actions FHA and HUD have taken since 2009–more steps “to eliminate unnecessary credit risk and assure strong premium revenue flows than any Administration in FHA history” according to acting Federal Housing Administration Commissioner and Assistant Secretary for Housing, Carol Galante. One of the changes made by the FHA in recent times is an update to the required combination of FICO score requirements and down payments. According to Galante, “New borrowers will now be required to have a minimum FICO score of 580 to qualify for FHA’s 3.5% down payment program. New borrowers with less than a 580 FICO score | more...