Articles in Category: FHA Loan Basics

March 27, 2019

FHA Home Loans For Millennials

How young is too young to buy a home? Millennials are taking over as the largest group of home buyers in the United States, but some wonder whether they are able to qualify. What does it take to qualify for an FHA mortgage? Are There Age Restrictions On FHA Home Loans? FHA loans do require all borrowers to be of sufficient legal age to sign legally binding contracts. But aside from that, there are no real age limits for FHA mortgages with one exception. The FHA Reverse Mortgage, which lets qualified borrowers convert the equity in a home they own outright into cash, is limited to borrowers aged 62 or older. But for forward FHA mortgages to purchase a home, as long as the borrower is otherwise qualified and of | more...

March 11, 2019

First-Time Home Buyer Advice: Get A Home Inspection

By Bruce Reichstein

Some wonder if they have had a home inspection when the FHA appraisal results come back. First-time home buyers should know that a home inspection is something that should be done regardless of the appraisal because the two procedures are quite different. The appraisal is not a tool for the borrower and will not give you an idea of the true condition of the home. The home inspection is the job that needs to be done to give you that information. The FHA itself publishes a pamphlet called “For Your Protection, Get A Home Inspection” which includes this advice; “You have the right to examine carefully your potential new home with a professional home inspector. But a home inspection is not required by law, and will occur only if you | more...

March 6, 2019

What You Need To Know About Home Loan Appraisals As A First-Time Home Buyer

By Joe Wallace

What do first-time home buyers need to know about real estate appraisals when it’s time to make an offer on a home? Your real estate agent and lender know the power of the appraisal-do you? FHA Home Loans Require An Appraisal For Most Transactions There is only one kind of FHA mortgage loan that has no FHA-required appraisal, called the FHA Streamline Refinance loan. All others will need an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the home. The Appraisal Is A Tool For The Lender Borrowers should not use the appraisal to determine whether the home has defects or hidden problems. No matter what you may be told by others, the appraisal process is not intended to help the borrower decide whether or not the home is ok | more...

FHA Home Loans And The Biggest Credit Mistake You Can Make

February 21, 2019

Buying A Home With An FHA Mortgage Versus Renting

By Joe Wallace

How much money do you spend renting a home instead of owning one? If you count the security deposit, any applicable pet deposit, and other expenses, the numbers can add up quickly. When you rent a home instead of buying real estate with a mortgage loan, you are also stuck with whatever appliances your landlord has seen fit to install in the home, regardless of quality. You have to live with someone else’s interior design and paint scheme preferences, and chances are the carpet is not what you would have chosen…at all. Renting A Home: Where Are The Long-Term Financial Benefits Compared to Home Ownership? When you rent, you get no equity, no cash-out refinance loan option, and no ability to sell the home at a higher price than you | more...

February 14, 2019

Preparing For A Home Loan As A New Borrower

By Joe Wallace

Preparing for a new home loan requires time. Before you start looking at real estate listings, talking to sellers, or begin filling out loan paperwork, you will need to take several steps ideally started at least a year before you begin house hunting. Begin Saving For Your Down Payment And Other Expenses Now There are appraisal fees, home inspection expenses, possible flood zone determination costs depending on location, closing costs, and the down payment to think about. Start saving as early as possible for these expenses. Start Checking Your Credit Reports Now If you find any items on your credit report that need to be disputed, the process can take many months. Don’t wait until later to take this step, the time you save will be critical later. You do | more...

February 12, 2019

FHA Home Loan Rules For Sellers

By Joe Wallace

What do sellers need to know about FHA home loans? There are several areas that you should know when negotiating with a first-time home buyer or an experienced real estate owner. One excellent example; when the home is appraised for an FHA mortgage loan, if the appraisal values the home at a dollar amount lower than the sale price, the borrower cannot be forced to complete the transaction. She has the option to walk away from the loan. This option is described in HUD 4000.1 which instructs the lender that a clause must be inserted into any sales contract involving an FHA mortgage that includes the following; “It is expressly agreed that notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the purchaser shall not be obligated to complete the purchase of | more...

January 19, 2019

Are The Same FHA Home Loans Offered To A First-Time Home Buyer As Experienced Borrowers?

By Joe Wallace

There are plenty of misconceptions about the FHA home loan program and first-time home buyers may assume some of them are true. One such misconception is that the FHA home loan program is only for first-time home buyers. Another is that the FHA loan program offers perks for those who are searching for their first home or a starter home. The reality is much different. Three Things First-Time Home Buyers Should Know About FHA Loans FHA Home Loan Facts You Should Remember FHA down payments can be supplemented by a down payment gift from a family member, friend, or employer. These funds must be properly sourced so make sure that your down payment gift is made with a check, deposited into your account, and the payment details are furnished to | more...

January 9, 2019

FHA Home Loans In 2019: Are Home Price Increases Slowing Down?

By Bruce Reichstein

A CoreLogic Home Price Insights report indicates that home prices increased by more than five percent between November 2017 to November 2018, but the same agency indicates that home prices may slow down in 2019. Could that be beneficial to a house hunter looking to purchase a new home with a mortgage loan? FHA home loan limits have increased in 2019 for the second year in a row, making for an interesting borrowing environment for the first-time home buyer or any other financially qualified loan applicant who seeks an FHA mortgage. The higher home loan limits combined with slowing home prices, with predictions of more houses available in 2019 could offer house hunters more to work with in the new year. FHA home loans are not just available for typical | more...

December 13, 2018

FHA Mortgage Or Conventional Loan? Which Is Best For You?

By Bruce Reichstein

What is the advantage of the FHA mortgage loan over conventional mortgages? There are many areas to be aware of when choosing the right mortgage loan to buy your new home with, but your financial priorities will determine a great deal. If you are looking at buying a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, FHA and conventional loans have features you should compare. Especially if you need to save money up front on the mortgage. Conventional home loans, which you may also hear referred to as agency loans, are mortgages you will get via Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Fannie and Freddie are the government-sponsored enterprises that your lender relies on to provide liquidity and stability to the lending market. Why don’t FHA borrowers choose these loans instead? Higher | more...

What Credit Score Is Needed For An FHA Mortgage?

December 7, 2018

How FHA Home Loan Appraisals Differ From Home Inspections

By Bruce Reichstein

If you are serious about buying a particular home with an FHA mortgage loan, one of the big steps in the process heading toward loan approval is the FHA appraisal. The appraisal process and the home inspection are not the same thing, do not address the same concerns, and are intended for different users. What are these differences and why should you as the house hunter care about them? FHA Appraisals Are A Lender’s Tool The home that is appraised by an FHA fee appraiser does so in service of the lender, not the borrower. The lender is interested in knowing that the home meets minimum FHA standards and applicable building codes. The lender is also interested in setting a fair market value for the home; that is done by | more...