Articles Tagged With: FHA Home Loans

What if my home was damaged in a natural disaster?

September 28, 2016

FHA Construction Loans: A Reader Question

A reader asks, “Does FHA include loans for a construction to permanent mortgage?If so, can the construction be done by a licensed general contractor that does custom builds or does it have to be done by a licensed general contractor that only does spec builds? Is there other criteria/inspections that are specific to construction to permanent mortgage that are specific to an FHA loan?” This is a complex question, and FHA construction loans have issues far too numerous to address in a single blog post, but we’ll tackle the basics. FHA loan rules do allow for loans for new construction/proposed construction. This type of loan is more complex than a typical FHA mortgage and potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this option with a loan officer to learn what may | more...

September 28, 2016

FHA Loan Mortgage Insurance Premiums

By Joe Wallace

Here’s a version of a common question we’ve been asked recently about FHA mortgage insurance premiums: “I closed an FHA mortgage on a house I purchased in December 2014. The following month FHA reduced the mortgage insurance premium (MIP). Can I get the lower mortgage insurance rate and a reduced monthly payment without totally refinancing my mortgage?” The FHA/HUD official site published a .pdf file that addresses this question directly. Back in 2015 the FHA lowered it’s mortgage insurance premium. The pdf states, “The reduction is effective as of January 26, 2015. Borrowers with case numbers assigned on and after January 26, 2015 will be eligible for reduced annual mortgage insurance premiums.” Note the specific date when the lower premiums become effective-borrowers who have loans prior to these dates will | more...

September 15, 2016

More On The FHA Limited 203(k) Rehab Loan

By Joe Wallace

Recently we wrote about the FHA 203(k) rehab loan and the FHA 203(k) limited rehab loan. With the “standard” rehab loan, borrowers can make major improvements to a property with a minimum of $5,000 required. The limited version of the FHA 203(k) rehab loan differs in several ways, but to start with there is no minimum dollar amount for the loan. HUD 4000.1 has rules that apply to the FHA requirements for 203(k) limited rehab loan. Those include a list of ineligible projects for the limited version of this type of mortgage loan: “The Limited 203(k) mortgage proceeds may not be used to finance major rehabilitation or major remodeling. FHA considers a repair to be major when any of the following are applicable: -the repair or improvements are expected to | more...

September 1, 2016

FHA Home Loans: General Rules

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans are unique compared to conventional loans due to the lower down payment and more forgiving credit requirements. There are some basic rules governing FHA mortgage loans you should know about going into the process; keeping these in mind will save time and help you better prepare for the loan. One of the key issues for FHA mortgages is the location of the home. According to HUD 4000.1, “The Property must be located within the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa.” That’s a very basic requirement, but FHA loan rules do get more specific from there. A property must be situated in a reasonable owner-friendly location. For example: “The Mortgagee must determine if a Property is located | more...

August 11, 2016

FHA Loans and Cash Back

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans have specific rules about when a borrower can get cash back on an FHA transaction and how. In general, FHA mortgage loans for new purchases don’t permit cash back except in the form of legitimate refunds, but HUD 4000.1 outlines certain circumstances where a small amount of cash back is permitted. However, that cash back cannot be “excessive”. A lender is required to estimate the costs of the loan before the actual expenses are tallied. These estimates could result in the borrower budgeting more than is required. When money is due back to the borrower, HUD 4000.1 states: “When the estimated costs utilized in calculating the maximum mortgage amount result in greater than $500 cash back to the Borrower at mortgage Disbursement, Mortgagees may reduce the Borrowers | more...

August 10, 2016

FHA Loan Questions: Appraisal Issues

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “We just purchased our first home using an FHA loan. After 2 months in the house we had a typical Arizona monsoon storm come through. Our home flooded due to poor drainage on 3 sides of the house. The grading slopes towards the structure and not away. There are no gutters on the home nor a drainage system to move the pooling water away from our home. What recourse do we have when the FHA approved appraiser reported that there are no problems with the grading and drainage? Our home is damaged and our insurance does not cover flood damages.” The FHA official site is clear on the subject of FHA appraisals in that the appraisal process is not meant to be a home inspection. The appraisal | more...

August 3, 2016

FHA Loan Questions: Divorce, Refinancing

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “My husband is a co-borrower on a 2nd mortgage or loan with his ex-wife. In the divorce decree, it stated that she was to have the loan refinanced so his name would no longer be on the loan. Its almost been a year, and she has been late several times.” Three weeks ago she moved out of county and allowed their ex-daughter-in-law to move it and make the payments. What steps should my husband take at this time?” FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 don’t specifically factor into a question like this, except where specific requirements of the new loan are concerned. The real issues here are legal ones, and for that, the reader will need to discuss the situation with a lawyer with expertise in divorce | more...

August 2, 2016

FHA Loan Questions About Seller Contributions

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “What extra expenses does a seller pay for a FHA offer compared to a conventional offer when selling their home?” Seller contributions and their limits are covered in HUD 4000.1. It’s impossible to speculate what the differences might be between an FHA mortgage and a conventional mortgage as loan terms may vary from lender to lender. However, FHA loan rules are clear on this subject in terms of what is permitted and what is not. Seller contributions are known as “interested party contributions” in HUD 4000.1. These must be negotiated between borrower and seller, but the agreed-upon contributions must meet FHA standards. FHA loan rules are quite clear-there is a cap on the value of seller concessions. Page 220 of HUD 4000.1 states: “Interested Parties may contribute | more...

July 27, 2016

FHA Loan Questions: Income Verification

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I threw out my pay stubs not knowing that I would be purchasing a home this soon. Is there anything else that can be used in place of pay stubs to get approved for an FHA loan?” “I provided copies of my last four pay checks, a statement from my employer showing my cumulative earnings so far this year, my original W2s from 2014 and 2015, my federal and state taxes from 2014 and 2015, and three months worth of bank statements that show the direct deposit from my employer every two weeks for those three months.” In general, you may find that tax documentation, current pay stubs, and bank statements COULD provide an acceptable substitute, depending on the lender. However, this is a situation that requires | more...

July 25, 2016

FHA Loan Questions: Credit Scores and Down Payments

By Joe Wallace

We get many questions about FHA loan standards for FICO scores and similar issues. Here’s one of the latest: “I am looking to purchase a mobile home for 25000. I have a 610 credit score and a stable job (been there for 8 years). I want to put down 40% of the loan. Do you think I would have any major issues even with a low credit score?” Questions like these are a good reminded that plenty of misconceptions about the home loan process exist. Unfortunately one of the prevailing misconceptions is that FICO scores are THE determining factor in home loan approval. That is not to dismiss the importance of FICO scores. Lender standards require a borrower to have a minimum FICO score (often between 620 and 640 depending | more...