Articles Published in: 2019

January 7, 2019

FHA Loans And The 2019 Government Shutdown

At the time of this writing, the partial government shutdown continues and we are seeing more headlines about the services affected, including certain kinds of home loans. Specifically, home loan applicants seeking USDA mortgages are locked out of the process for the duration of the shutdown according to a variety of sources. Some potential USDA borrowers were caught in the middle of their transactions when the government shut down, and the media reports stories of those left more or less in limbo until the current situation is resolved. So what does this mean for FHA mortgage loans? FHA Mortgage Loans Are Still Available During The Government Shutdown Forward mortgages will continue to be serviced during the shutdown as previously reported here and elsewhere. But there are some important things you | more...

January 4, 2019

Renters May Spend More In 2019: Is It Time To Buy?

By Joe Wallace

Do a Google search on the phrase “2019 rent increase” and you’ll find plenty of talk about higher rents. That “higher rents in 2019” includes one article published by Wilmette Week discussing the possibility that the State of Oregon may be considering state-enforced rent control with possible yearly rental increase limits of five percent. The fact that Oregon is considering this as a state-wide measure may not reflect the state of rent increases nationwide, but it certainly is food for thought for anyone living in or near that area. Is 2019 the year to consider buying a home with a low-down payment FHA mortgage instead of submitting to yet another rent increase? Some housing finance blogs and real estate bloggers are discussing how renters in 2018 spent more than the | more...

January 3, 2019

FHA Loan Down Payment Rules For 2019

By Bruce Reichstein

FHA home loan down payment requirements are lower than other mortgages, and depending on circumstances your down payment commitment on an FHA mortgage could be even less thanks to down payment assistance programs and seller contributions to closing costs. FHA Home Loan Small Down Payments Elsewhere on the internet you will find writing about down payment requirements for purchasing a new home, discussing why borrowers are choosing one approach or another regarding the money they put down on the home. Conventional mortgages require private mortgage insurance (PMI) unless the borrower makes a higher down payment. A 20% down home loan transaction is not uncommon in cases where the borrower wants to avoid paying PMI. FHA home loan rules in HUD 4000.1 require mortgage insurance premiums, too, but borrowers looking to | more...

January 2, 2019

FHA Loans Are Available In 2019

By Joe Wallace

Why do we announce that FHA loans are available in 2019? At the time of this writing, the government shutdown is still in effect, and many government websites including FHA.gov and HUD.gov (FHA.gov redirects to HUD.gov) have an announcement stating that the sites themselves are not open for business. Consider the quote from HUD.gov: “Due to the lapse in Congressional Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is closed. HUD websites will not be updated until further notice. For more information, see HUD Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations. “ But that DOES NOT MEAN that FHA home loans are unavailable. FHA Forward Mortgage Purchase Loans Are Available In Spite Of The Government Shutdown FHA mortgages are generally processed and serviced by | more...

January 1, 2019

Happy New Year 2019!

By Bruce Reichstein

Happy New Year 2019! We hope your holiday season has been safe and fun. We pause from our usual posts about FHA home loans to enjoy New Year’s Day 2019, and our regular posting schedule resumes on Wednesday. Thanks for reading and have a great holiday.