Articles Published in: 2017

October 18, 2017

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

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...

October 12, 2017

Can I Get An FHA Mortgage After A Short Sale?

By Joe Wallace

Can I get an FHA loan after a short sale? Many have asked this question, unsure of the FHA loan rules for transactions in the wake of a negative credit event such as a foreclosure, bankruptcy, or short sale. To begin, we should address the basic definition of a short sale and what that means for a potential FHA borrower. What Is A Short Sale? A short sale involves a transaction where a property is sold to avoid foreclosure, often at a loss. It is referred to professionally as a “pre-foreclosure sale”. FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 specifically define the short sale transaction as follows: “Pre-Foreclosure Sales, also known as Short Sales, refer to the sales of real estate that generate proceeds that are less than the amount owed | more...

October 11, 2017

Is There An FHA Loan For Homes On Tribal Land?

By Bruce Reichstein

Is there an FHA loan for homes on tribal land? According to the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, a type of loan known as a “Section 248 Mortgage” is available specifically for home purchases of this type. HUD 4000.1 defines the Section 248 mortgage as “a purchase or refinance Mortgage covering one- to four-family dwellings on Indian Lands.” Since definitions are extremely important for many aspects of the FHA loan program, this section of the FHA loan rules also defines what the FHA considers to be “Indian land” and the communities that live there: “Indian Land refers to those lands that are held by or for the benefit of Indian Tribes under some restriction or with some attribute peculiar to the legal status of its owners. Indian Tribe refers to | more...

October 11, 2017

How Can I Get Ready For An FHA Loan Application?

By Joe Wallace

How can I get ready for an FHA loan application? The process includes some advice you’ve likely heard before (check your credit, make sure you have on-time payments, and avoid new credit applications before you apply for a home loan) but there are other steps to take in the earliest stages of your house hunting journey that can be very helpful. Home Economics Do you know how much it will cost to live in and maintain your home? Utility bills for a house are likely to be higher than for a small apartment. It’s important to start learning what typical utility rates, commuting costs, and other expenses related to owning your home instead of renting. You’ll also want to investigate how much it may cost down the road to repair | more...