Articles Published in: 2017

November 27, 2017

FHA Loan Waiting Times After Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

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!

FHA One-Time Close Construction Mortgage Basics

November 22, 2017

How Do You Get A One-Time Close FHA Construction Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

How do you get an FHA construction loan? If you want to have a new home built from the ground up (as opposed to buying an “existing construction” home that already exists), an FHA new construction loan is possible. The FHA One-Time Close / Single-Close construction loan makes it much easier with a single application and closing for the entire project. Other types of construction loans feature TWO closing dates and a more complex process. FHA One-Time Close mortgages simplify the construction loan by wrapping the entire loan process up with a single application and loan approval. Not all FHA lenders offer construction loans, so you’ll need to shop around to find the right lender for your needs. There are two basic types of FHA construction loans-a “traditional” construction loan, | more...

November 22, 2017

What Are The Property Requirements For An FHA Home Loan?

By Joe Wallace

What are the property requirements for an FHA home loan? There are some basic minimum standards listed in HUD 4000.1 that can help future FHA loan applicants understand the basics, but it’s important to remember that local building code, health standards for water and sewage, and other regulations may also apply. General FHA Loan Requirements For Homes To Be Purchased With An FHA Mortgage HUD 4000.1 states that it is the lender’s responsibility to make sure “each living unit” has the following features as required in HUD 4000.1: -a continuing and sufficient supply of safe and potable water under adequate pressure and of appropriate quality for all household uses; -sanitary facilities and a safe method of sewage disposal. Every living unit must have at least one bathroom, which must include, | more...

November 21, 2017

What Kinds Of Property Can I Buy Or Refinance With An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What kinds of property can I buy or refinance with an FHA loan? This is a question we’ve been examining lately, starting with the FHA requirement for homes to be used as the primary residence for at least one person obligated on the mortgage note. But there are other requirements borrowers need to know when looking for a home to buy with an FHA mortgage. Eligible Property Types For FHA Single-Family Loans HUD 4000.1 explains, “FHA’s Single Family programs are limited to one-to four-family Properties that are owner-occupied Principal Residences. FHA insures Mortgages on Real Property secured by: -detached or semi-detached dwellings -Manufactured Housing -townhouses or row houses -individual units within FHA-approved Condominium Projects” The occupancy requirements are identical for all property types. The actual date of occupancy may vary | more...

November 21, 2017

What Are The FHA Loan Rules For Occupancy?

By Joe Wallace

What are the FHA loan rules for occupancy? This is a question many borrowers are curious about, especially those who are interested in becoming landlords and earning rental income from their property. Does the FHA single family home loan program allow a borrower to rent out the property purchased with an FHA mortgage? FHA Loans Are Specifically For Owner/Occupiers HUD 4000.1, the FHA loan handbook, states clearly that at least one person obligated on the FHA mortgage is required to use the property as their primary residence: “At least one Borrower must occupy the Property within 60 Days of signing the security instrument and intend to continue occupancy for at least one year.” Furthermore, the FHA clearly defines what it considers to be a “principal residence”. On page 140 of | more...

November 20, 2017

What Do I Need To Qualify For An FHA 203(h) Rehab Loan For Disaster Victims?

By Bruce Reichstein

What do I need to qualify for an FHA 203(h) rehab loan for disaster victims? Those in the hardest-hit areas may require complete replacement of a home damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, or California fires. But what are the basic requirements of the FHA 203(h) rehab loan? FHA 203(h) Rehab Loans Are For Those In Federally Declared Disaster Areas The basic requirement for an FHA 203(h) rehab loan is that the applicant’s property is located in a federally declared disaster area. According to HUD 40001., “The previous residence (owned or rented) must have been located in a (federally declared disaster area) and destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary. A list of the specified affected counties and cities and | more...