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Articles Tagged With: FHA Home Loans

FHA Loan Rules In HUD 4000.1: Escrow

FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 have several things to say about escrow accounts. FHA loan rules don’t require escrow for every single home loan or refinance loan, but there are cases where escrow is a must and there are also lender standards which may require setting up an escrow account to pay certain expenses associated with the transaction. FHA loan transactions may require escrow for payments to builders in association with construction loans, rehab loans or reverse mortgages. The standards and circumstances vary from loan to loan, so if you aren’t sure whether an escrow account is needed for your FHA loan transaction, discuss your situation with the loan officer. In some cases escrow is used to pay property taxes, in others it may be used to disburse funds | more...

 
Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

Mortgage Rate Trends: Slightly Higher

On Wednesday and Thursday, mortgage loan interest rates have risen slightly. We’ve had a couple of scheduled economic data releases this week, but some market watchers this week gave bond market activity more attention. At the end of the day on Thursday, we see 30 year fixed rate conventional mortgages still being reported at 3.625% best execution in many cases, but our sources indicate that fewer lenders-the most aggressive ones-offered rates closer to 3.5%. So in effect, the slightly higher rates will come in the form of higher closing costs for some, but for others, the best execution rate may be the same as the day before depending on the lender. FHA mortgage loan rates are still holding at a best execution 3.25%. FHA rates tend to vary more among | more...

 
FHA Loan Credit Score

FHA Loans And Your Debt-To-Income Ratio: What You Should Know

A borrower’s debt-to-income ratio or DTI is an important calculation the lender must make when processing an FHA home loan application. Your monthly debts, compared to your lender-verified income, will help determine your acceptability as a credit risk and your ability to pay your mortgage. But how does the lender process your debt information to arrive at the ratio? HUD 4000.1 establishes guidelines for the lender to follow in order to establish the borrower’s DTI. On pages 249 and 250 we find the following: “The Mortgagee must determine the Borrowers monthly liabilities by reviewing all debts listed on the credit report, URLA, and required documentation. All applicable monthly liabilities must be included in the qualifying ratio.” Some types of debt may be omitted by the lender in certain cases. For | more...

 

HUD Offers Grants to Clean Up Lead Paint Hazards in the Home

When you buy a home with an FHA mortgage, one of the appraisal requirements that must be met on certain older homes is that there must be an awareness of potential lead paint hazards in the property. A home that was built prior to 1978 may contain lead paint, and HUD 4000.1 page 115 states clearly: “If the Property was built before 1978, the seller must disclose any information known about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling the house, in accordance with the HUD-EPA Lead Disclosure Rule (24 CFR 35, subpart A, and the identical 40 CFR 745, subpart F). For such Properties, the Mortgagee must ensure that: –the Borrower has been provided the EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards (Protect Your Family From | more...

 

FHA Loan Questions: Employment Gaps

We get many comments and questions about FHA home loan rules in our comments section. Here’s one of the most recent. “I have some money saved up, however I have not been employed for 2.5 years. I would like FHA loan if possible. My main issue is all my money is cash and not in the bank, and I have NO employment history for the past 2 years.” Basically it seems that the reader is asking whether an FHA loan is possible without a job. This is a complex issue-FHA loans permit the lender to consider public assistance, for example, as income. The source of income must be verifiable by the lender and deemed likely to continue. However, in the case of this reader question, there is no income at | more...

 
Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

Mortgage Rate Trends: Edging Higher

What is bad for the economy is often good for mortgage loan rates, and Tuesday’s world headlines should have, by all accounts, helped rates move lower. But all the bad news yesterday did not keep rates from moving slightly higher (for a variety of reasons) and it seems that we could be on the verge of a new upward trend depending on how rates behave over the next several business days. Tuesday’s move higher will likely be noticed mostly in closing costs rather than actual mortgage rate increases but your experience may vary depending on the lender. 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan interest rates moved into a different range of rates, now reported at a best-execution range between 3.75% and 3.875%. FHA mortgage rates are holding steady in their best | more...

 
Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

Mortgage Rate Trends: Higher Friday

Mortgage rates moved higher on Friday, pushing closing costs up for some, actual rates up for others. At the end of the day many were still offering a best execution 3.625% for 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgage loans. FHA mortgage loan rates are holding in a range between 3.25% and 3.5% depending on the lender and other factors. FHA mortgage loan rates tend to vary more among participating lenders than conventional rates, so your experience may vary. As always, the rates mentioned here are best execution rates, meaning your FICO scores, loan repayment history and other financial qualifiers will play a big role in your access to rates at or near the ones listed here. Best execution rates are not available to all borrowers or from all lenders. Even though | more...

 

FHA Loan Questions: Are Military Members Eligible For FHA Mortgages?

One common question about FHA loans involves whether or not military members are eligible to apply. Some military members may choose FHA mortgage options over VA loan benefits depending on circumstances, what do FHA loan rules tell lenders about veterans and currently serving members of the U.S. military? HUD 4000.1 contains the rules that apply in these cases. One of the reasons some could mistakenly assume military borrowers might not qualify for FHA mortgages has to do with the FHA’s occupancy rule for new purchase loans and refinances. But FHA loan rules include the following on occupancy for military applicants: “Borrowers who are military personnel, who cannot physically reside in a Property because they are on Active Duty, are still considered owner occupants and are eligible for maximum financing if | more...

 
Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

Mortgage Rate Trends: Sideways To Lower

Mortgage loan rates this week to date have been either holding their own (Monday) or moving slightly lower (Tuesday and Wednesday). While market activity did see some lenders raising rates, overall best execution levels are still at 3.625% for 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgages. FHA loans are still within a best execution range between 3.25% and 3.5%, some of the most favorable rates seen in quite some time. “Best execution” refers to rates offered to the most extremely well-qualified borrowers. Your FICO scores, loan repayment history and other financial qualifications will determine your access to these rates. Your experience may vary; the rates you see listed here are not available to all borrowers or from all lenders. Right now, rates are lower because of negative economic factors (among other things)–it | more...

 

FHA Loan Questions: Can Social Security Income Be Used To Qualify For A Mortgage?

We’ve gotten several questions recently in the comments section about FHA home loans and using Social Security income to qualify. Many of the questions basically ask the same thing–does the FHA permit Social Security income to be used? Can a borrower qualify for an FHA mortgage when Social Security is a major portion of the income? The answer to the question “Do I qualify?” depends on the borrower’s other financial qualifications and an additional factor we’ll explore in a moment. The general answer is that the FHA does NOT view Social Security income as a liability for loan approval, but that income must meet certain standards and requirements. HUD 4000.1 instructs the lender on how to consider Social Security income, which falls under a heading the FHA terms “Disability Benefits”. | more...