Articles Published in: 2013

October 31, 2013

FHA Loan Mortgage Insurance: A Reader Question

A reader asks, “Veterans are not required to purchase mortgage insurance with a VA loan. Is there a way that a veteran can be exempt from the mortgage insurance premium? The mortgage insurance is very high.” The short answer to this reader question is “no”. FHA loans are not designed the same way that VA home loans are–FHA loans require a Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP), where VA home loans do not. Veterans should consider their options between VA home loans and FHA mortgages carefully. In some cases a veteran or currently serving military member could choose an FHA loan over a VA mortgage, for a variety of reasons. But a borrower faced with these choices should make the most informed decision possible. FHA home loans do have certain similar features | more...

October 30, 2013

FHA Loans, Verifiable Income, and VA Benefits

By Joe Wallace

Some veterans and currently serving military members may choose to pursue an FHA home loan instead of a VA mortgage for any number of reasons. If a borrower is eligible for VA benefits, can he or she count those benefits as income for the purposes of qualifying for an FHA insured mortgage loan? According to the FHA loan rulebook, military pay and some benefits may be counted as verifiable income as long as it meets the right criteria. Chapter Four of HUD 4155.1 says, “Military personnel receive base pay, and are often entitled to additional forms of pay, such as • variable housing allowances • clothing allowances • flight or hazard pay • rations, and • proficiency pay. These types of additional pay are acceptable when analyzing a borrower’s income | more...

October 29, 2013

FHA Loans and Trust Income

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loan applications require the borrower to list income and job details so that the lender can accurately determine a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio. For this purpose, FHA loan rules say that only income that is likely to continue can be used–the borrower’s wages, tips, bonuses and other earnings may be counted if they meet FHA criteria for “stable and reliable” and “likely to continue”. One source of income for some borrowers involves a trust fund–can trust income be used as verifiable income for an FHA mortgage loan? The answer is yes, but only if the trust income meets FHA loan minimum standards as described in HUD 4155.1, which includes the following guidance to lenders when reviewing trust fund income listed on a borrower’s application, found in a section called | more...

October 28, 2013

FHA Back to Work Program Counseling–Where To Find It

By Joe Wallace

Ever since we posted about the FHA’s Back to Work program for borrowers who have experienced “Economic Events” or financial hardship and lowered credit ratings as a result of the recession, we’ve gotten a number of important questions about the program. According to one of our original posts on the new FHA program, “Back To Work, according to FHA Mortgagee Letter 2013-26, lets lenders evaluate these Economic Events to see if the borrower may still be a good credit risk for an FHA loan. “FHA recognizes the hardships faced by these borrowers, and realizes that their credit histories may not fully reflect their true ability or propensity to repay a mortgage. To that end, FHA is allowing for the consideration of borrowers who have experienced an Economic Event and can | more...

October 25, 2013

FHA Loan Applications: What Borrowers Need To Have Ready

By Joe Wallace

When you’re getting ready to fill out an FHA loan application, knowing in advance what documentation you’ll need to get the process moving forward can be a big help. There are individual lender requirements that you’ll need to get directly from your loan officer, but the FHA loan rulebook (HUD 4155.1) lists some things the FHA requires as part of the process the lender uses to verify your employment, income, and credit data. The list of documentation includes (but may not be limited to) the following list found HUD 4155.1 Chapter One Section B: general mortgage credit analysis documents evidence of Social Security Number verification of deposit verification of employment (VOE) alternative employment documentation appraisal documentation. FHA loan rules in Chapter One say, “Lenders must obtain the most recent documents | more...

October 24, 2013

FHA Special Forbearance For Unemployed Borrowers Extended

By Joe Wallace

Earlier this year, the FHA indefinitely extended its special forbearance programs for unemployed borrowers. In a mortgagee letter titled, “Extension of Unemployment Special Forbearance” the agency has created an open-ended policy as described below: “The policies in Mortgagee Letter 2011-23, (Unemployment Special Forbearance: Temporary Program Changes and Clarifications) relating to special forbearances for unemployed borrowers are hereby extended until amended, superseded, or rescinded.” The policies mentioned above also include a reference to an earlier Mortgagee Letter. “In ML-2000-05, FHA provided mortgagees with additional guidance concerning the Loss Mitigation Program that all mortgagees must follow, when applicable, to reduce FHA insurance losses in those circumstances, as determined by the mortgagee, where delinquent mortgagors might be able to find an alternative to foreclosure.” “ML 2002-17 amended ML 2000-05 to allow mortgagees to | more...

October 24, 2013

FHA Updates Guidance For Superstorm Sandy Repairs Under 203(k) Loan Program

By Joe Wallace

Just as the government shutdown crisis was unfolding, the FHA was preparing an update to policies that affect borrowers who need to apply for FHA 203(k) mortgages as part of their recovery from Super Storm Sandy. Unfortunately, that press release likely got overlooked by many because of the government shutdown issue. That update, as described in FHA Mortgagee Letter 2013-36, titled, “Eligible Properties in Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Area Super Storm Sandy for 203(k) insured mortgages” describes some very important updates. These updates specifically pertain to those seeking FHA 203(k) loans in areas affected by Sandy–they do not apply to other borrowers outside this area. According to the mortgagee letter, “Handbook 4240.4 Section 1-4 currently states that, homes that have been demolished, or will be razed as part of the | more...

October 23, 2013

FHA Loan Questions: Are FHA Loans Available For Condo Units?

By Joe Wallace

When you think about your choices for buying a home using an FHA mortgage, it’s easy to forget that all types of properties can be considered for purchase–not just a typical house in the suburbs. The FHA does allow loans for condo units, and there’s a section of the FHA loan rulebook (HUD 4155.1) that discusses the requirements for this type of purchase. According to HUD 4155.1 Chapter Four Section B, “FHA must approve condominium projects before a mortgage on an individual condominium unit can be insured”. But what does the FHA define as a “condo”? How are they different than other types of housing? According to FHA loan rules: “A condominium is a multi-unit project that • has individually-owned units, which may be either − attached in one or | more...

October 22, 2013

FHA Loans After Bankruptcy: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “What is the length of time after filing bankruptcy that you have to wait to qualify for a FHA loan…during that waiting process, what are some of the things that I should be doing to make the approval process easier and making my credit better?” FHA loan rules and lender standards are both considerations in situations like these, as is the specific circumstances of the individual’s bankruptcy and other credit issues. Borrowers should know that FHA minimums are just that–minimums. Lenders can and often do require higher standards. That’s why it’s important to consider shopping around for a lender who may be more willing to work with you–one lender may not be able to help, while another can, depending on your situation. For the record, FHA loan | more...

October 21, 2013

FHA Loan Credit Requirements: Reader Questions

By Joe Wallace

We have gotten a large number of reader questions lately about FHA FICO score requirements and other credit-related home loan issues. Here is a sampling of our most recent questions: “I have faced many credit issues, including filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, late payments, etc. I am about to now pay off all my outstanding debts to clear my credit report and only have my monthly bills…My credit score is in the mid 500′s. Would I be able to qualify for a FHA home loan based on these scenarios? What would be the best steps for me to qualify for a home loan in the next year?” and: “We are looking to purchase or first home. We are 3 years discharged from chapter 13 bankruptcy. We have established a car loan | more...