Articles Tagged With: Earnest Money

June 6, 2022

FHA ARM Loan Options To Consider

An ARM loan, also known as an adjustable-rate mortgage, allows you to apply for a loan with an initial rate that will increase after the introductory period is over. The lower initial rate is a benefit for some borrowers, but it pays to have a plan on how to handle this type of loan in advance–do you really plan to pay on an ARM for the full term of the mortgage? Or do you want to sell or refinance instead? FHA loan options include ARM loans which may have a one-year intro rate, but you could apply for a three-year, five-year, seven-year, or even 10-year ARM loan. That means that the introductory rate won’t change for that initial period (three years up to 10 years) and then the loan is | more...

June 14, 2017

Closing Costs And Earnest Money For FHA Loans

By Joe Wallace

In a recent post we discussed FHA loan down payments and how the lender is required to verify that down payment money is coming from acceptable sources. Did you know the lender is also required to verify the sources of earnest money and funds to pay closing costs? It’s true-FHA home loan rules include requirements that these funds comply with FHA loan rules. For example, if your earnest money comes to you in the form of a gift, those gift funds must meet the rules and requirements of the FHA Loan Handbook HUD 4000.1 section titled Gifts (Personal and Equity): “Gifts refer to the contributions of cash or equity with no expectation of repayment.” This means your earnest money gift must never carry any strings attached. But that isn’t all-the | more...

June 13, 2017

The Down Payment Requirement For FHA Loans

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans, much like their conventional counterparts, have a down payment requirement. However, unlike conventional loans, the minimum down payment requirement for FHA mortgages is 3.5% of the adjusted value of the home. This lower down payment requirement is one of the main advantages of the FHA mortgage. The basic amount of the down payment varies with each FHA mortgage since the payment is based on the value of that particular home. Additionally, FHA mortgages require a specific FICO score range (580 or better) for maximum financing. Borrowers with FICO scores between 500 and 579 will be required to put down 10% instead of 3.5%. Additional lender standards may also apply. Calculating the amount of your down payment is only part of the process. FHA borrowers must provide down | more...