Articles Published in: September 2016

September 30, 2016

FHA Proposes New Condo Approval Processes

A recent press release on the FHA official site announces new proposals for FHA condo loan approval procedures. According to HUDNo.16-146, there are significant alterations to current FHA loan policy that are currently under review. “In response to changing conditions in the condominium market, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today proposed new regulations governing the approval process for condominium developments. FHA proposes to reinstate single unit approvals in unapproved condominium developments and to require condo projects to recertify their approval status every three years rather than the current two-year requirement.” Individual condo units in projects that are not currently on the FHA approved list would, under these proposed changes, have a better chance of getting single-unit loan approvals if the units meet FHA criteria including (but not limited to) the | more...

September 29, 2016

Mortgage Loan Interest Rate Trends: Higher After Days Of Recovery

By Joe Wallace

Mortgage loan interest rates moved higher on Wednesday after a recovery streak that would have hit seven straight business days otherwise. In many cases borrowers would notice the Wednesday changes in closing costs rather than an actual higher rate, but as market watchers are fond of pointing out, even with recent moves higher we are still seeing rates at respectable lows. 30-year fixed rate conventional loans ended Wednesday at a best-execution rate of 3.375%, while FHA mortgage loan interest rates (best execution) are at or near their current comfort zone of 3.25% depending on the lender. You may notice greater variation in the actual rates offered by participating lenders, so it pays to look for the best rates and terms. Best execution rates are listed here assuming an ideal borrower | more...

What if my home was damaged in a natural disaster?

September 28, 2016

FHA Construction Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “Does FHA include loans for a construction to permanent mortgage?If so, can the construction be done by a licensed general contractor that does custom builds or does it have to be done by a licensed general contractor that only does spec builds? Is there other criteria/inspections that are specific to construction to permanent mortgage that are specific to an FHA loan?” This is a complex question, and FHA construction loans have issues far too numerous to address in a single blog post, but we’ll tackle the basics. FHA loan rules do allow for loans for new construction/proposed construction. This type of loan is more complex than a typical FHA mortgage and potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this option with a loan officer to learn what may | more...

September 28, 2016

FHA Loan Mortgage Insurance Premiums

By Joe Wallace

Here’s a version of a common question we’ve been asked recently about FHA mortgage insurance premiums: “I closed an FHA mortgage on a house I purchased in December 2014. The following month FHA reduced the mortgage insurance premium (MIP). Can I get the lower mortgage insurance rate and a reduced monthly payment without totally refinancing my mortgage?” The FHA/HUD official site published a .pdf file that addresses this question directly. Back in 2015 the FHA lowered it’s mortgage insurance premium. The pdf states, “The reduction is effective as of January 26, 2015. Borrowers with case numbers assigned on and after January 26, 2015 will be eligible for reduced annual mortgage insurance premiums.” Note the specific date when the lower premiums become effective-borrowers who have loans prior to these dates will | more...

What You Need To Know About Your FHA Home Loan

September 27, 2016

HUD Announces Settlement In Mississippi Fair Housing Complaint

By Joe Wallace

Zoning laws don’t come up much in our discussions about FHA mortgages, but when they do it’s usually about whether a property is eligible for an FHA loan because it is in a mixed-zoning area, or there is some zoning law concern that might affect the sale or purchase of a property. But recently zoning laws came up in a completely different way, as we learn from the FHA/HUD official site. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a settlement in a Fair Housing case alleging that zoning laws were applied in a discriminatory fashion. According a press release at www.HUD.gov, “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today an agreement with Ridgeland, Mississippi to resolve complaints the city violated the Fair Housing Act when | more...

September 27, 2016

Mortgage Loan Interest Rate Trends: Improving

By Joe Wallace

Mortgage loan interest rates improved on Monday, the fourth business day in a row that rates have recovered. There was an upward trend for some time, but some market watchers and industry professionals are using the word “rally” to describe what they’ve been seeing lately. There was considerable attention on the latest Fed statement about interest rates, but once “Fed day” came and went there was no significant change in investor activity-that is to say no increase activity unfavorable to interest rates in specific reaction to the Fed announcement. 30 year fixed rate conventional mortgage loan rates were reported at 3.375%, best execution, on Monday. That puts conventional loan rates in a single number rather than the range of best execution rates we saw previously. FHA mortgage loan rates are | more...

September 26, 2016

Well Water And FHA Loans: Another Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

We’ve gotten a number of FHA loan questions lately about well water, and properties that are served by wells. It’s true that a home that is served by an individual well or a shared well can be approved for an FHA mortgage loan, but the well must meet FHA requirements. The latest reader question about wells and FHA mortgage loans asks: “Can a single family residence use a water tank to bring the flow test up? This is highly common in the area.” What the reader is asking about is covered-in part-by an FHA mortgage loan rule found in HUD 4000.1, on page 162. There are varying standards for wells depending on whether the well serves an individual home or is considered a “shared well” that services multiple properties. For | more...

September 26, 2016

Divorce and FHA Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I am trying to qualify for an FHA Loan. I have been apart from my husband for over 13 yrs but not legally divorced. I am currently applying for an FHA Loan and DO NOT want him to be a part of anything Im doing and have FINALLY filed for divorce. House buying is a short sale and I need a fast approval.” “My divorce will take 3 months, I dont have the time! Do I qualify for any type of exception considering we have been apart for 13 years and the IRS has accepted me as an Innocent Spouse Relief and Separation of Liability and Equitable Relief?” This is a difficult question to answer for one important reason: state law is a determining factor in circumstances | more...

September 23, 2016

Well Water: FHA Loan Questions

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “FHA use to only require that these top items need to pass. Lead (first draw), Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrate/Nitrite,Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms or E. Coli. Is this still true? I am hearing that a full water panel is required to be done, is this now true and if so,is FHA major focus still on the top items passing? Also what is required by FHA if one of these items fails?” This question is in reference to FHA requirements for properties that are served by wells. In general, the local health authority would set the standards, so the reader would need to consult with the local authority to get the answer to the first part of this question. Health standards, procedures, and requirements can and do vary from | more...

September 22, 2016

HUD Announces Final Rule For Equal Access

By Joe Wallace

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a new final rule that promises important protections for all Americans seeking housing, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. According to a press release on the HUD official site, the new final rule is known as, “Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity“. The press release says the final rule affects everything from FHA mortgage loan programs to housing services and benefits. “Following what had previously been a practice encouraged by HUD, providers that operate single-sex projects using funds awarded through the Departments Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) will now be required to provide all individuals, including transgender individuals and other individuals who do not identify with the sex | more...