Articles Tagged With: FHA 203b Mortgage

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...

October 22, 2020

FHA Mobile Home Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

FHA mortgages can be used to purchase or build a variety of properties and one of those property types is the mobile home. You can use an FHA mortgage to purchase mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular housing and similar types. FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 group these types of mortgages together under the “manufactured housing” description. Not all manufactured housing or mobile homes are eligible for an FHA mortgage. HUD 4000.1 has certain criteria that must be met for the loan to be approved. Those requirements include, but are not limited to being a single-family dwelling with at least 400 square feet of floor area; the property must have a HUD Certification Label. Alternately, instead of the label, there must be a letter of label verification issued on behalf | more...

October 21, 2020

FHA and HUD Announce New Automated Loan Processing System

By Joe Wallace

The Federal Housing Administration has announced a new automated underwriting system for use by participating lenders who process FHA Single-Family home loans. The new system allows lenders to electronically submit loan application data for single family forward mortgages directly to tbe FHA and, “receive mortgage insurance eligibility scoring decisions generated from FHA’s Total Mortgage Scorecard. “The launch of FHA’s first direct automated underwriting system is a huge milestone for the over one million borrowers on average who rely on FHA insurance annually,” according to Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Dana Wade, who was quoted in an FHA press release. Wade adds, “We’re excited to deliver this enhanced automated underwriting capability specifically for FHA-insured lending because it will streamline processes for everyone, including consumers.” This new system has | more...

October 20, 2020

HUD Announces New Deadlines For Coronavirus Foreclosure Avoidance Options

By Bruce Reichstein

Since the global coronavirus pandemic began affecting the United States economy, HUD has made a variety of policy changes and loss mitigation measures available to borrower struggling to make mortgage payments on FHA mortgages, refinance loans, and even reverse mortgages. In April, 2020, HUD published Mortgagee Letter 2020-06. That letter announced measures including COVID-19 related loan forbearance, plus “Standalone Partial Claims”, plus an extension of the deadline for FHA Reverse Mortgages (also known as FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgages or HECM) for those affected by the pandemic. A few months later, HUD also announced loan forbearance options for those who needed it beyond the initial forbearance period. And now, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration have announced that the agencies recognize a need, “…to | more...

October 15, 2020

Who Is Eligible For An FHA Home Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

Who is eligible for an FHA home loan? To begin, we must point out that FHA mortgages are not need-based loans, feature no income caps, and do not require you to be a first-time home buyer to apply. FHA mortgage eligibility rules are found in HUD 4000.1, including instructions for the lender pertaining to who is allowed to apply for an FHA single-family home loans. Who can apply for an FHA loan and what do the rules say about these applicants? Some of the rules about being eligible for an FHA mortgage have to do with the status of the buyer–does the borrower intend to be an owner-occupier or does the borrower want to purchase property they do not intend to use as the primary residence? FHA mortgage loans to | more...

October 14, 2020

FHA Mortgage Loan Issues: “Identity Of Interest”

By Joe Wallace

What does it mean to have an “identity of interest” when applying for an FHA home loan? This can be an issue if the borrower has been renting the property to be purchased with an FHA mortgage from the seller prior to the home loan application. That is not the only issue addressed under the rules for identity of interest–those with family ties buying or selling to one another may also need to have an understanding of the rules in this area. What is the meaning of “identity of interest?” The FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, describes identity of interest transactions as a real estate sale between two parties “with an existing Business Relationship” or between family members. The word “interest” in this case refers to the interest the seller | more...

October 12, 2020

Applying For Your Home Loan With Other Credit Applications Recent or Pending

By Bruce Reichstein

Here is a variation on a common question asked about applying for an FHA home loan. “I recently applied for financing for a vehicle. Do I still qualify for an FHA mortgage?” In general, borrowers should avoid opening new lines of credit ahead of a mortgage loan application. FHA mortgages, like other home loans, require the lender to justify the loan as a good credit risk. If a borrower is opening new lines of credit at or near the time the home loan application is turned in, it may make the lender think twice about approving the mortgage. One reason for this is that entering into other types of debt while applying for a home loan may give the impression (right or wrong) that the borrower isn’t disciplined with credit | more...

October 9, 2020

FHA Appraisal Refunds?

By Joe Wallace

Some borrowers don’t understand the nature of the home loan appraisal process and as a result, they often ask a common question if the results of the appraisal don’t come back as expected. The process works like this–a buyer goes looking for a home to purchase with an FHA mortgage. They find a home they want to buy and before the home loan can be approved, there is a required FHA appraisal. The appraisal is a tool for the lender, not the borrower, to help establish the market value of the property and insure the house meets minimum standards. The home loan amount is based in part on the appraisal and homes don’t always appraise for what the borrower or seller thinks it should. In situations where the appraisal comes | more...

October 8, 2020

FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan Questions And Answers

By Bruce Reichstein

Do you know what to expect when you want to refinance your mortgage in order to cash in on the value of your home? Are you wondering how much money will you get in cash at closing time? These and other questions are important–knowing the answers before you commit or at least knowing how to arrive at those answers is crucial before you commit to the refi loan. Here are some common questions about FHA Cash-Out Refinancing loan options you should know: Do FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loans Cost The Same In All Housing Markets? The short answer is no, and the reason for this is that all housing markets differ, lender standards differ, and your own personal needs and goals may affect the type of transaction you need. For those | more...