Articles Published in: November 2017

November 30, 2017

What Are The FHA Appraisal Rules For Mobile Homes?

What are the FHA appraisal rules for mobile homes? FHA mortgages are available for mobile, manufactured, and modular homes the same as for “stick built” housing such as a typical suburban home. What are the basic appraisal requirements for mobile homes? FHA loan rules for appraisals are found in HUD 4000.1, the FHA loan handbook. There we learn that mobile homes have some unique appraisal requirements. Like condo loans, there are extra rules due to the unique nature of mobile homes. FHA Mobile Home Minimum Size Requirement For example, in HUD 4000.1, we find no minimum square footage requirement for a stick-built home or a condo. But for mobile homes, FHA appraisal requirements include a minimum 400 square feet of floor space. Anything less does not meet the FHA loan | more...

November 30, 2017

HUD Announces Hurricane Irma Aid Package For Hardest-Hit Florida Communities

By Joe Wallace

HUD has announced a multi-milllion dollar Hurricane Irma aid package for hardest-Hit Florida communities. A press release at the Department of Housing and Urban Development details the federal aid, intended for areas HUD deems the most affected. According to HUDNo.17-106, the aid package include $615,922,000 made available via the HUD Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. “The entire federal family” stands with the people of Florida “to help them recover from this devastating storm as quickly as possible,” according to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, who is quoted in the press release, adding, “HUD and the State of Florida will work together to speed the rebuilding of seriously damaged homes and businesses that lack the resources to recover on their own if not for these recovery dollars.” In September, the | more...

November 29, 2017

Appraising the Foundation and Basement: FHA Loan Standards

By Bruce Reichstein

What are the FHA loan standards for appraising the foundation and basement of a home to be purchased with an FHA mortgage? The FHA appraisal process is designed to insure that specific standards in this area are met. When problems are detected in an appraisal, they are noted for correction or other appropriate action. The appraisal process covers everything from the electrical system to the roof-the home and its various systems must be within a certain range of good repair and sustainability. For example, there can’t be exposed wiring in the home that would pose a hazard to the future occupants. The roof must not leak or otherwise allow moisture to enter the house. When it comes to the standards for foundations and basements, the FHA has a clear set | more...

November 29, 2017

FHA Loan Rules For Loan Approval: Federal Debts and Tax Liens

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan rules for loan approval include instructions to the lender about unpaid federal debts and tax liens. Your chosen participating FHA lender is responsible for verifying your income, employment record, and your monthly financial obligations-which may include tax obligations such as a lien, or a federal debt. Unresolved taxes and federal debt can be a serious issue that will affect a home loan application. The status of such debt is one of the most important factors. According to HUD 4000.1, “Mortgagees are prohibited from processing an application for an FHA-insured Mortgage for Borrowers with delinquent federal non-tax debt, including deficiency Judgments and other debt associated with past FHA-insured Mortgages.” The FHA loan rules in this section also add that the lender is required to determine “whether the Borrower(s) have | more...

Credit Scores For An FHA Home Loan: When Low Credit Is Not Bad Credit

November 28, 2017

What Are the FHA Loan Requirements For Sewer/Septic Systems?

By Joe Wallace

What are the FHA requirements for sewer/septic systems? Some borrowers want to know if the property they’re interested in purchasing with an FHA mortgage loan will qualify if there is a septic tank on the property. Others want to know specific required distances from a septic tank to the property line or related requirements. For example, a septic tank, under FHA appraisal rules, must be at least 50 feet from a well, where applicable. FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 require a property to meet minimum appraisal requirements before a loan will be approved. Some issues cannot be fixed, but other situations may be repaired or corrected. When a property can be modified, repaired or improved to meet those standards, FHA rules allow the loan to happen with the corrections | more...

November 27, 2017

FHA Loan Waiting Times After Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

By Joe Wallace

We are often asked about FHA loan rules governing home loans for those with a bankruptcy on their credit reports. These types of questions vary, but often feature a common theme: “I had a bankruptcy discharged in July 2014. How long do I have to wait to purchase another home with 10% down payment with a credit score of 590?” After a bankruptcy is discharged, rebuilding good credit is one of the most crucial issues related to this question. A borrower must work hard, post-bankruptcy, to establish the best credit possible in order to qualify for a new home loan. You may find that participating FHA lenders are willing to work with borrowers with credit scores starting at around 620 or higher. That FICO score of 620 is not listed | more...

November 27, 2017

FHA Loan Rules: Using Rental Income to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan

By Bruce Reichstein

What do FHA loan rules say about using rental income to qualify for an FHA home loan? Is it possible to use rental income according to the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1? The short answer is that it depends on whether or not the rental income meets FHA loan minimum standards. When processing your home loan application, your participating FHA lender will request copies (never originals) of the relevant paperwork associated with your employment and income, including tax documents, W2 forms, pay stubs, etc. If your income is derived in whole or in part by rent payments, the lender will need to see documentation for that, too. FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 address this on page 202, starting with the definition of what is considered rental income under the | more...

November 24, 2017

Late or Missed Payments and FHA Loan Applications

By Joe Wallace

Is it possible to get an FHA loan application approved with late or missed payments on your credit report? It’s easy to get caught up in a struggle with common financial problems, and some of the simplest situations (late and missed payments on financial obligations) can have the biggest impact on a borrower’s credit rating or perceptions of creditworthiness. Having a handful “lates” and/or missed payments in your recent credit history might not affect your overall financial bottom line IF you’re not planning to seek new lines of credit. But if you are planning to apply for a home loan in the 12 months following late or missed payments, this situation becomes far more important. FHA loan applications, like other major lines of credit, are affected by anything that changes | more...

November 24, 2017

FHA Loan Questions: What Constitutes Flipping?

By Bruce Reichstein

What constitutes flipping? It is a housing market practice generally discouraged by FHA loan rules found in HUD 4000.1, but what is flipping in the eyes of the FHA and HUD? According to the FHA loan handbook: “Property Flipping refers to the purchase and subsequent resale of a Property in a short period of time.” Also found in the FHA loan handbook, this further explanation of what the FHA considers to be property flipping: “Property Flipping is indicative of a practice whereby recently acquired Property is resold for a considerable profit with an artificially inflated value.” What is the basic FHA loan guideline for a transaction that could be identified as flipping? Situations where the home has been owned for 90 days or less. Some FHA loan rules in this | more...

Time Is Running Out On Exterior-Only FHA Appraisals

November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joe Wallace

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we pause from our usual discussion of FHA home loans, refinance loans, FHA reverse mortgages and related topics to enjoy the holiday. Our regular schedule of posts resumes on Friday. Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving holiday and we’ll see you tomorrow!