Articles Tagged With: Credit Requirements

January 30, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: FHA Condo Loan Approval

FHA loan rules for home purchases are different than the rules for FHA insured loans for condominium units. Since there are unique requirements for condo loans–including a requirement that condos to be considered for FHA mortgages be on an FHA-approved list–the FHA has published a set of guidelines for condo mortgages. One reader wrote in to ask, “Is there a list of the FHA requirements that a condo project needs to comply with in order to be listed on the FHA approved list? Where can it be obtained? Thanks.” The list of FHA requirements for a condo to be approved and listed can be downloaded at: www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/09-19ml.doc What do these guidelines cover? According to the FHA, condo projects must consist of two units or more, and be covered by hazard | more...

January 27, 2012

FHA Loan Restrictions on Cash-Out Refinancing

By Joe Wallace

When borrowers want to refinance an FHA mortgage, there are two basic types of refinancing to choose from; FHA cash-out refinancing loans and those with no cash to the borrower. The FHA loan rules for cash-out refinancing are naturally more stringent than those with no money to the borrower–in cash-out transactions the borrower must qualify under FHA requirements and meet certain standards that may not be the same as for non-cash out transactions. What are the restrictions on FHA cash-out refinancing? For starters, according to the FHA official site at FHA.gov, “Cash out refinance transactions are only permitted on owner-occupied principal residences”. The FHA takes the owner/occupant issue quite seriously, going so far as to add an additional rule stating; “Non-occupant co-borrowers may not be added in a cash out | more...

January 23, 2012

FHA Loans Reader Question: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

By Joe Wallace

There have been many reader questions in the last six months about bankruptcy, foreclosure, and the required waiting period for new FHA home loans after these procedures. One reader asks, “When does the waiting period began per FHA Guidelines? If you included a conventional loan in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, does the waiting period began at the discharge date? Or does the waiting period began at the trustee sale?” The short answer is that after Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the borrower must wait out the minimum “seasoning” period plus any additional amount required by the lender–three years in many cases though some lenders may be willing to work with qualified borrowers after the FHA two-year minimum for Chapter 7. This waiting period begins from the time the bankruptcy is discharged. Since | more...

January 20, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: Why Was I Denied an FHA Home Loan?

By Joe Wallace

Many readers write in with questions similar to the one we received this week, which includes the following: “I am recently divorced. While married, went through two bankruptcies (both discharged) have/had issues with back taxes (installment plans made and determined to be paid in full by ex per divorce decree). Have moved to another state, working (1.5 years), full time student. Was living with children, have moved into an apartment paying $600.00 per month (comfortably), because I could not get qualified for a loan. Have two major credit cards (visa/master credit cards not debts) established in my name for 1.9 years, never late, never over limit. Credit score is 620. Is there a main reason why, I did not or cannot be approved for a FHA loan?” Before addressing an | more...

January 19, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: FHA Loans and Credit History

By Joe Wallace

Sometimes, shopping around for a participating FHA lender is a bit more complex that you might think. There are basic issues related to competitive interest rates, getting the most favorable terms, even the simple chemistry between the borrower and the bank can be an issue. But what about situations where the borrower feels the lender hasn’t quite done right in terms of customer service? One reader left this comment; “I owned my home for 12 years (FHA loan) and sold it December 2010. I am now told that I have NO CREDIT SCORE!!! I paid cash for car and have no credit cards. I

January 18, 2012

FHA Loan Assumption: An Alternative to Foreclosure

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan assumption is a process which lets one FHA borrower assume the debt on an existing FHA home loan started by another borrower. FHA.gov states,

January 17, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: Do I Qualify For an FHA Mortgage?

By Joe Wallace

FHA loans have minimum credit standards which include requirements for timely bill paying, dependable work history and other factors that can affect an FHA mortgage application. But FHA rules are designed to be flexible depending on a borrower’s circumstances. In general the FHA rules tend to be more forgiving when borrowers can show that financial difficulties were beyond the borrower’s control and have been resolved successfully. With that in mind, we turn to a recent question from one of our readers: “I am looking to buy, my current residence from a family member.

January 16, 2012

FHA Condo Loans

By Joe Wallace

Recently we’ve gotten a few reader questions about FHA condo loans. It’s true that the FHA will insure a condo loan for projects that are approved by HUD/FHA. Here are some facts about FHA condominium loans and the requirements for them. Condo Loans Are Different Than Suburban Home Loans By its very nature, FHA condo loans are unique compared to the ownership issues connected with a typical suburban home. According to the FHA official site, “Condominium ownership is different from other forms of home ownership.

January 13, 2012

FHA Loan Reader Question: Irregularities in the FHA Loan Process

By Joe Wallace

The FHA has rules which must be followed in order for participating lenders to legally take part in the FHA loan guaranty program. There are also federal laws which apply to all lenders above and beyond FHA regulations. With this in mind, we reviewed a reader comment/question which came in recently: “A friend of ours just told us she is closing on an FHA loan tomorrow.

January 11, 2012

FHA Loan Limits: Family Member Purchases

By Joe Wallace

Recently we posted about FHA loan limits and something called “identity of interest” transactions, which the FHA official site describes as “a sale between parties with family or business relationships.” For example, if a business partner wanted to sell property to a fellow partner, that could constitute an “identity of interest” transaction. The same would be true of family members selling to other family members. According to FHA loan rules, the “maximum loan-to-value (LTV) factor for identity-of-interest transactions on principal residences is restricted to 85%.” That means the borrower would be approved for the FHA home loan, but only for 85% of the value of the property. Fortunately for many borrowers, the FHA has exceptions to this 85% rule. “Financing above the 85% maximum for identity-of-interest transactions is permitted under | more...