Articles Published in: October 2017

FHA One Time Close Construction Loan Option

October 23, 2017

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan Requirements

FHA One Time Close / Single Close construction loan requirements include different FICO score, escrow, and closing requirements than standard new purchase mortgages. Do you know how FHA One Time Close construction loans work? A Single Loan For The Entire Process Construction loans typically require two loans-one to purchase, and one to pay for the construction. Under the FHA One Time Close construction loan program, also known as an FHA construction-to-permanent mortgage, there is a single loan. This prevents the need for a borrower to be credit-qualified twice during the lending process. The procedure for an FHA One Time Close loan has the loan closing first, in order to pay for the land, followed by the construction phase. That means an escrow account is required in order to disburse funds | more...

October 20, 2017

How Many Times In My Life Can I Get An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

How many times in my life can I get an FHA loan? If you are buying your first home, this is a question you might not ask until later. But it’s a good idea to know what your options are should you need to sell your first home later and begin a new house hunt. Understanding FHA Loans Knowing that FHA home loans are intended for owner-occupiers who want to use their property as their home address and primary residence helps a lot when trying to understand FHA loan rules. If you don’t plan to use the property you want to buy as your home, you won’t be able to use an FHA single-family home loan to purchase it. There are certain exceptions for government agencies and non-profit groups, but | more...

October 19, 2017

How Does FHA Deal With A Borrower’s Financial Hardship? Part Two

By Joe Wallace

How does FHA deal with a borrower’s financial hardship? That is a question we began addressing in a previous blog post, starting with an examination of the FHA attitude toward things like public assistance income, credit counseling programs, etc. In general, FHA loan rules do not allow borrowers to have public assistance income held against them as a liability, and participating in a credit counseling program is not grounds for denying an FHA mortgage loan. All income, including public assistance, must meet FHA loan standards for dependability and the likelihood of that income continuing. But just because the income is from public assistance, Social Security, etc. does not mean that income is not a valid means of financially qualifying for an FHA mortgage. Borrowers With Temporary Reductions of Income One | more...

October 18, 2017

How Does FHA Deal With A Borrower’s Financial Hardship?

By Bruce Reichstein

How does FHA deal with a borrower’s financial hardship? That is an important question, and the answers may surprise some who expect the same types of financial qualifications from FHA mortgages as from conventional loans. What is the reality? Basic FHA Loan Financial Requirements FHA loan FICO score minimums are 580 and higher for maximum financing and the lowest down payment. Lenders may have higher requirements, but the FHA minimum FICO score allows those who wouldn’t be considered for a conventional mortgage. Debt-to-income ratio requirements for FHA mortgage loans (which may vary depending on FICO scores) will vary some among lenders, too but you’ll find that your total payments must not (generally speaking) exceed 43% of your monthly income. How Does FHA Deal With Financial Hardship? Depending on the nature | more...

Time Is Running Out On Exterior-Only FHA Appraisals

October 17, 2017

What Is An FHA Rate And Term Refinance?

By Joe Wallace

What is an FHA rate and term refinance? This refinance loan is different than FHA cash-out refinancing or reverse mortgages. The rules that cover FHA rate and term refinancing are found in the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, and explains how this type of mortgage differs from the rest. What Are FHA Rate And Term Refinance Loans? HUD 4000.1 defines an FHA rate and term refinance loan as follows: “Rate and Term refers to a no cash-out refinance of any Mortgage in which all proceeds are used to pay existing mortgage liens on the subject Property and costs associated with the transaction.” Who Is Eligible To Apply For An FHA Rate And Term Refinance Loan? HUD 4000.1 explains that “at least one Borrower” named on the original home loan as | more...

October 17, 2017

How Can I Get Cash Back With An FHA Mortgage?

By Bruce Reichstein

How can I get cash back with an FHA loan? It’s a question many want to know, especially those who might be interested in applying for “more” FHA loan than is needed to complete the transaction. Is getting cash back at closing time possible with an FHA mortgage? The answer depends greatly on the type of transaction you seek. Some loans do not allow any cash back except for refunds, others are designed to offer money to the borrower at closing time depending on the terms of the loan and other factors. FHA New Purchase Home Loans If you are asking the cash back question about FHA forward mortgages (loans used to buy a home on the housing market as opposed to a refinance loan or an FHA reverse mortgage), | more...

October 16, 2017

Can I Buy Another House With An FHA Loan?

By Joe Wallace

Can I buy another house with an FHA loan? It’s a question on the minds of many, especially those who might be concerned that NOT being a first-time home buyer might disqualify them from the FHA loan option. Is this true? FHA Loans Are Not Just For First-Time Home Buyers FHA mortgage loans are designed to be an affordable option for anyone who is financially qualified to be approved for a home loan. That means that you do not have to be a first-time home buyer, you don’t have to be “in need” to qualify, and you don’t have to worry about an income limit for FHA mortgages. FHA loans are approved on the basis of a borrower’s creditworthiness and ability to afford the loan. There is no maximum income | more...

October 16, 2017

What Do I Need To Know About Applying For An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What do I need to know about applying for an FHA loan? There are a variety of things you should know before you fill out FHA mortgage loan application paperwork. FHA Loan Residency Requirements You do not have to be a United States citizen to apply for an FHA mortgage loan. The only requirement is that the applicant must be in the U.S. legally and have documentation to prove it. Resident aliens and non-resident alien loan applicants will be required to document their status but would not be turned down for an FHA mortgage loan on the basis of not being a citizen. FHA Loan Credit Requirements For maximum financing, FHA loan rules say FICO scores of 580 or better are required. However, lender standards may be higher-check with your | more...

October 13, 2017

What Are The Interest Rates On FHA Mortgage Loans?

By Joe Wallace

What are the interest rates on FHA mortgage loans? This is a question that can be tough to answer because there are variables involved. Some of those variables are with the lender, but some are associated with the borrower. FHA Interest Rates Are Not Set By The FHA One very important aspect of FHA loans to be mindful of; the FHA and HUD do not set or regulate the interest rates on FHA mortgage loans, refinance loans, or loan assumptions. Interest rates will be negotiated between the lender and the borrower. FHA Mortgage Loan Interest Rates Are Not The Same For All Borrowers FHA loan interest rates, like other mortgage loan rates, are determined in part by market forces, but also by the borrower’s financial qualifications. The greater credit risk | more...

October 12, 2017

Am I Eligible For An FHA Loan Even Though I Have Had Credit Problems?

By Bruce Reichstein

Am I eligible for an FHA loan even though I have had credit problems? Borrowers often worry their credit scores or credit history aren’t good enough to qualify for an FHA mortgage loan, but what is the reality? What do FHA loan rules say about credit and your ability to borrow? FHA Loans For Borrowers After Bankruptcy FHA home loans are possible for those who have a bankruptcy on their credit history, but there is a mandatory waiting period and the duration of that wait depends on the nature of your filing. The mandatory waiting period begins when the bankruptcy is discharged, NOT when it is initially filed. FHA Loans For Borrowers After Foreclosure, Deed-In-Lieu Of Foreclosre, Or Short Sale Borrowers with foreclosure or short sale activity on their credit | more...