Articles in Category: FHA Refinance

August 1, 2024

Comparing Conventional Reverse Mortgages To FHA HECMs

A reverse mortgage is a refinance option for homeowners 62 or older who want to tap into their home equity. These loans are designed for senior homeowners who own their homes outright or are close to doing so. There are FHA reverse mortgages and conventional equivalents. Some borrowers are right for a conventional option, while others should consider the FHA HECM. Traditional mortgages require monthly payments to a lender. In contrast, reverse mortgages allow senior homeowners to borrow money secured by the equity in their home. These loans offer cash back to the borrower in a variety of options, including a lump sum, monthly payments, or a line of credit. Typically, repayment is not required during the borrower’s lifetime unless the home is sold or no longer used as the | more...

July 30, 2024

FHA Refinance Loan Basics For New Borrowers

By Joe Wallace

An FHA refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new one. It is sometimes used to obtain a loan with more favorable terms or get cash out at closing time but an FHA refi loan can also be done to exit a conventional loan or an adjustable-rate mortgage. Borrowers are commonly motivated to refinance to get a lower interest rate, to shorten their loan term, or tap into their home equity. The FHA offers several refinance programs tailored to different needs. Which one is right for you? FHA Rehabilitation Refinancing The FHA 203(k) rehab refinance loan program enables you to borrow extra funds for home renovations or repairs. This can help if you want to refinance and upgrade your home simultaneously. You can refinance a conventional loan or an existing FHA | more...

Rehab Refinance Loans, reverse mortgages

July 23, 2024

Pros and Cons of Refinancing Versus Reverse Mortgages

By Joe Wallace

As we age, sound financial decisions become increasingly crucial. For many seniors, leveraging home equity is a key consideration, and there are two important options to know in this area. Two FHA loan products can help you access home equity. One has an age requirement (the reverse mortgage) and one does not (refinancing.) Those two options are FHA reverse mortgages and FHA refinancing. Each option has its pros and cons, which is vital for making an informed decision. Reverse mortgages offer seniors a way to boost monthly cash flow. They eliminate required monthly payments, providing significant financial flexibility. Additionally, they offer lump-sum payouts, which can help cover home repairs, medical expenses, or other significant costs. However, reverse mortgages have drawbacks. The most notable is the gradual depletion of home equity. | more...

July 22, 2024

Refinancing A Conventional Loan To FHA

By Joe Wallace

Do you need to refinance out of an adjustable-rate conventional loan? Do you want a potentially lower mortgage rate? Do you need to take equity out of your home in cash? Refinancing from a conventional mortgage to an FHA loan can offer several advantages for borrowers with such financial needs and goals. The advantages include the possibility of qualifying for lower interest rates than some conventional loans and getting a more predictable mortgage when refinancing out of a traditional or FHA ARM into an FHA fixed-rate loan. You can also use an FHA cash-out refi for debt consolidation or tap into your house’s equity. Qualifying For An FHA Refinance Loan To be eligible for an FHA refinance loan, there are requirements similar to some purchase loans: Costs Associated with FHA | more...

July 16, 2024

Do You Need Help Understanding Your FHA Loan?

By Joe Wallace

The variety of FHA home loan programs, including construction loans and reverse mortgages, can be overwhelming for many borrowers. HUD-approved housing counseling offers invaluable support to help borrowers make informed decisions about these complex programs. You can get a free referral to a HUD-approved housing counselor by calling 1-800-CALL FHA. FHA Loan Counseling: Your Path to Homeownership The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures mortgages, reducing lender risk and expanding access to homeownership for individuals with lower credit scores or limited down payment funds. However, understanding the nuances of certain FHA loans, such as reverse mortgages and construction loans, can be challenging. Did you know you can call HUD to get a referral to an approved housing counselor to help you through the process? Housing counselors can help you in the | more...

July 15, 2024

Understanding the Costs of an FHA Reverse Mortgage

By Joe Wallace

An FHA reverse mortgage, or Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), can provide financial flexibility for qualifying homeowners aged 62 or older, but it’s crucial to understand the associated fees and expenses. If you meet the HECM age requirement and either own your home outright or are very close to doing so, what follows will be helpful for you. Primary Costs When considering an FHA reverse mortgage, you should be prepared to pay several key costs: FHA mortgage insurance, interest fees, lender’s fees, and potential service charges are among them. FHA mortgage insurance premiums consist of an initial 2% charge, followed by annual premiums of 0.5% of the outstanding loan balance. The FHA does allow borrowers to finance the upfront mortgage insurance premium as part of the loan. Additional Expenses In | more...

July 11, 2024

FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan Program Updates

By Joe Wallace

Changes are coming for those interested in remodeling a home with an FHA rehab loan. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with the Federal Housing Administration, have updated policies associated with the FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program. These changes were implemented to modernize the program and make it a more helpful tool for individuals and families seeking affordable financing options for home renovation or rehabilitation projects. The FHA 203(k) program offers two loan variations: a “standard” 203(k) for major remodeling projects that may or may not include work on load-bearing walls. A “limited” 203(k) is available for smaller projects and for what the FHA determines to be “non-structural repairs.” Several fundamental changes have been made to aspects of the FHA 203(k) program. First, the total rehabilitation costs | more...

July 10, 2024

FHA Appraisals: When Are They Required?

By Joe Wallace

When is an FHA appraisal required? For any FHA purchase loan, you will be expected to pay for an FHA appraisal, even if it is an after-improvements approach for renovation refinance loans or similar options. We examine the other situations where an assessment may be needed below. FHA Streamline Refinance An FHA streamline refinance loan does not require an FHA appraisal. These refinance options are meant to provide a tangible benefit to the borrower through a lower monthly payment, a better interest rate, or switching to a fixed-rate loan from an adjustable-rate mortgage. Your participating lender may require an appraisal, which is permitted under FHA loan rules. However, no FHA requirements for appraisals exist for streamline refi loans in typical cases. FHA Reverse Mortgage Refinances FHA reverse mortgages, also known | more...

June 27, 2024

What You Can Do With Your FHA Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

Borrowers sometimes assume things about home loan programs that aren’t entirely accurate. In the same way some assume that FHA single-family home loans can be used to buy an investment property (they cannot) or that the FHA loan program requires you to be a first-time home buyer, there are flawed assumptions about the kinds of home you can buy with an FHA mortgage and the acceptable uses of these home loans. FHA Loans To Build A Home The FHA One-Time Close construction loan is what borrowers choose when they want to build a home from the ground up. These FHA mortgages also allow land purchase with the loan if you don’t already have it to build on. FHA Loans Can Be Used To Install A Home FHA loans can be | more...

June 10, 2024

When You Need To Renovate Your Home

By Joe Wallace

There is more than one way to improve your home in 2024 with an FHA loan. Do you want to cash out the equity you have built in the home and use some of the cash for repairs? In such cases, an FHA cash-out refinance is the right loan. But in other circumstances, a different FHA loan option may be better. How do you choose? FHA Rehab Loan Options The FHA 203(k) rehab loan helps those who want to buy or refinance a fixer-upper home or a house that needs improvements to bring it up to code. The FHA 203(k) rehab option is for any qualified borrower, and there is a disaster relief version known as the 203(h) for those who have homes in federal disaster areas. FHA 203(k) rehab | more...