Articles in Category: FHA Lenders

October 26, 2020

Warning Signs Of Foreclosure Relief Scams

Foreclosure scams are very much on the rise in an era where more borrowers than ever need some form of foreclosure prevention, mortgage relief, or other options to save their homes during times of financial uncertainty. Fortunately, many of these scams have some tell-tale warning signs you can use to avoid getting conned. The federal government warns consumers to watch out for the indicators that a scammer is at work instead of a legitimate offer of help. The Federal Trade Commission warns home owners to stay vigilant, especially when the following signs are present from any business which: offers to provide the homeowner with a loan modification regardless of circumstances; tries to get you to do an end-run around your current lender and asks you not to contact the lender, | more...

The FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan: An Option In 2020

October 23, 2020

FHA Implements New Construction Loan Rule Changes

By Bruce Reichstein

The FHA has announced rule modifications for its new construction loans. On October 22nd, 2020, the FHA and HUD issued a Mortgagee Letter detailing modifications made in 2018 and 2019 which have resulted in a need for further alterations of the rules for New Construction loans. Some of the changes end requirements for “Early Start Letters” and other requirements, others make provisions for “alternative inspections” as we’ll discover below. The FHA/HUD official site states there are also changes to the maximum financing policy for FHA New Construction loans. Effective immediately–lenders can choose to wait on implementing these modified rules until January 4, 2020, but have the option to start using the new rules now if they so choose) the following modifications are being added to HUD 4000.1: Eliminating Early Start | more...

August 19, 2020

Changes To The Home Loan Industry

By Joe Wallace

Coronavirus has and COVID-19 containment measures have forced those in many career fields to change how business gets done–and the mortgage industry is no exception. It is clear that the economic fallout from the current crisis will be felt for years to come, and there are many who look to the amount of time it took for the nation to economically recover from the housing crisis of 2008, thinking that better long-term planning this time around might be the best approach. Mortgage Industry Changes Consumers have already experienced how Coronavirus has forced changes in procedures related to buying and selling a home. The in-person walkthrough, the open house, and the in-person appraisal are all much more rare at the time of this writing in many communities. Not all require the | more...

July 13, 2020

FHA and HUD Announce More Enhancements To COVID-19 Mortgage Relief

By Joe Wallace

The COVID-19 situation in America means dealing with an ever-changing environment created by coronavirus and its’ containment measures. Economic impact of the virus outbreak has forced millions of home owners to seek economic relief including mortgage loan forbearance. The First Round Of HUD Relief The FHA and HUD created an initial round of FHA mortgage loan forbearance for those experiencing a loss of income and/or having trouble making mortgage payments as a result of the pandemic. But the first announcement was followed by updates and refinements. And now there are further updates that can help borrowers keep their homes after an initial round of COVID-19 loan forbearance. FHA Mortgagee Letter 2020-22 announces improvements and the establishment of foreclosure avoidance possibilities the FHA is calling “Home Retention And Disposition options” including: | more...

April 22, 2020

Mortgage Scams During COVID-19: Borrower Beware!

By Joe Wallace

The Federal Trade Commission warns mortgage borrowers to beware of scams that prey upon homeowners in trouble during the coronavirus outbreak. The FTC Chairman, Joe Simons, was quoted in an FTC press release advising borrowers about the FTC’s role in prosecuting scam artists taking advantage of Americans who have been affected by COVID-19. “The FTC is ready to assist businesses that may seek guidance about compliance obligations on consumer protection issues during this unprecedented time,” Simons said in the press release. If you have been contacted by a third party about coronavirus financial relief and suspect a scam artist at work, report coronavirus-related scams at ftc.gov/complaint. What should consumers do to protect themselves from coronavirus mortgage scams? The first step is simply to recognize that if you have not initiated | more...

April 2, 2020

HUD Announces New Mortgage Relief Options For FHA Borrowers Affected By COVID-19

By Joe Wallace

The coronavirus emergency has created difficult financial times for most Americans. Many wonder where they will find the money to meet their financial obligations including mortgage payments. Those who have FHA home loans should contact their loan servicers right away due to the latest round of coronavirus relief measures aimed at helping FHA borrowers save their homes from loan default and eventual foreclosure. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided a new coronavirus mortgage relief package for FHA borrowers above and beyond the original 60-day foreclosure moratorium issued previously. If you have an FHA mortgage, refinance loan, or One-Time Close Construction mortgage and are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, you may qualify for certain relief measures that took effect April 1, 2020. Borrowers | more...

March 26, 2020

Mortgage Industry Seeks Federal Relief For Borrowers

By Joe Wallace

The coronavirus pandemic created financial chaos across the globe; America is on the verge of a massive financial bailout for consumers and industry to the tune of $2 trillion or more. States, lenders, and the federal government all have a keen interest in helping homeowners avoid financial crises, loan default, and foreclosure. And now the mortgage industry has rallied to petition the White House for funds to assist homeowners. On March 24, 2020, HousingWire.com ran a press release discussing a letter sent to the White House asking for mortgage relief for borrowers including delayed payments and interest. The proposal includes the following benefits: A 90-day delayed payment option for mortgage payments; A proposed one-year loan forbearance period; Payment forbearance protections such as no negative credit reporting or collections; Introducing reduced | more...

December 30, 2019

Where To Find An FHA Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

Where do you get an FHA home loan? The simplest answer is that you get one from a participating FHA lender. Not all banks or financial institutions support FHA home loans, and those that choose to do so must be vetted and approved by the government first. FHA Loans Are Offered By Participating Lenders As mentioned above, not all lenders participate in the FHA loan program–but did you know some are not permitted to participate, and some may not be certified by the FHA yet? Your search for a lender may seem daunting, but you can be matched with a participating lender online and do the initial loan screening online, too. You’ll need a variety of information including your estimated budget for the purchase, the desired term of the loan | more...

October 30, 2019

HUD Announces New Partnership To Enforce FHA Guidelines

By Bruce Reichstein

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the agency and the Department of Justice designed to provide guidance on pursuing disciplinary actions in cases brought against participating FHA lenders who may be in violation under the False Claims Act (FCA). “This agreement clearly outlines our FHA mortgage program requirements, so they do not impede or discourage lenders from offering affordable FHA-insured loans to credit-worthy borrowers,” according to one HUD official quoted in the agency’s press release. The United States Attorney General is also quoted in the press release adding, “”This MOU sets forth a robust and collaborative process for deciding when to pursue False Claims Act cases to remedy material and knowing FHA violations,” The agreement means HUD and | more...

September 20, 2019

What You Should Know About Mortgage Loan Interest Rates And The Fed Rate Cut

By Bruce Reichstein

The week of September 16, 2019, the Fed cut interest rates for the second time in the year; the 25 basis-point rate cut alters the Fed rate but is not a direct cut or change to mortgage loan interest rates. Interest rate decline in 2019 have pushed more home owners toward refinance loans and many wondered if the latest Fed cut would affect mortgage loan rates in a refinance-friendly directions. Fed rate cuts do not get applied directly to mortgage loan interest rates, but investor behavior following the announcement of a rate adjustment, during the adjustment itself, and the aftermath may have a definite influence on mortgage rates. So if you find yourself wondering whether the Fed rate cut will change home loan interest rates, watch the investors and their | more...