Articles Tagged With: FHA Loan Approval

What You Need To Know About Your FHA Home Loan

March 20, 2023

Don’t Buy A House Without A Home Inspection

Here’s a common example of a home buyer question that is asked after the purchase of a house with an FHA home loan has closed, the new owners have moved in, and suddenly discover there are serious issues with the property: “I did not get a home inspection when I purchased my house, and now there are problems. Do I have any recourse?” If what is meant by “recourse” involves some form of intervention or relief from the lender or the FHA, the general answer is no–you don’t have any avenues of recourse when buying a home if you choose not to pay for the optional but essential home inspection and choose to rely only on the FHA appraisal instead. An FHA appraisal is NOT a home inspection in spite | more...

What Credit Score Is Needed For An FHA Mortgage?

March 15, 2023

What Are FHA Home Loan Discount Points?

By Bruce Reichstein

If you don’t know what discount points are, you should explore them as an option to lower your mortgage loan interest rate while still in the planning and saving stages of your FHA mortgage. For new purchase loans, including FHA One-Time Close construction mortgages, FHA Condo loans, or FHA Mobile Home loans, discount points may help you save money upfront on your mortgage over the loan’s lifetime. Discount points aren’t for everyone–some borrowers prioritize reducing their upfront costs and these FHA loan applicants won’t be interested in points. Why? They represent a larger upfront and out-of-pocket expense. But for those who want to pay more upfront so they can save money down the line should consider points. What are these home loan discount points? The financial website Investopedia.com defines them | more...

March 6, 2023

FHA Home Loan Down Payments: Do You Need Help?

By Joe Wallace

If you want to apply for an FHA condo loan, an FHA mobile home loan, or even an FHA construction loan, you must anticipate the down payment requirements for these mortgages. At the very minimum, all FHA borrowers must put 3.5% down, with a higher down payment required for those with lower FICO scores. One of the first questions many readers will be asking at this point is likely, “What FICO scores require the higher down payment?” That question is one reason you’re reading this article right now; issues can affect your down payment requirements. It’s not safe to assume that you can simply pay what the FHA loan program rules require–lender standards, state law, and other variables can come into play. One variable is your credit score, and another | more...

March 2, 2023

Myths About FHA Refinance Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

There are plenty of misconceptions about refinancing real estate. If you have a house you want to refinance, it’s good to learn what you can and cannot do with an FHA refinance loan before you start shopping around for a lender. And you WILL want to shop around. FHA Refinance Loan Myths: You Have To Keep Your Original Lender You can refinance your home with another lender offering more competitive terms, rates, or perks for borrowing with that financial institution. FHA Refi Loan Myths: You Have To Refinance Into A Fixed-Rate Mortgage Borrowers can choose an FHA Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) at refinance time if the lender offers such a loan. Not all participating lenders will, which is another reason to shop for the right lender. Refinancing an ARM into | more...

February 27, 2023

Anticipating Closing Costs For Your New Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

Buying a home requires planning and saving. Especially for closing costs, which can include appraisal fees, the home inspection, compliance inspections, and the Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium. It takes time to save for these expenses, but some borrowers will pay more up front than others. That is usually due to a combination of factors, but the thing new home loan applicants need to know is that your financial needs and goals will dictate how and when you pay certain closing costs. Did you know you can finance some closing costs and have the home’s seller help you pay for others? Government-backed mortgages like FHA home loans (including FHA One-Time Close construction loans which can help even a first-time home buyer build a home from scratch) make buying or building a | more...

February 23, 2023

Rent Or Buy?

By Joe Wallace

For some, buying is better. Why? Much depends on your financial goals but you should also take into consideration aesthetics and practical concerns, too. One argument favoring buying or building (on your own lot) a home with an FHA mortgage? The ability to modify your property without having to go running to the landlord to ask permission is a big one. But some renters don’t realize that you can when you own your home, also apply for a refinance loan to repair or modify your property. That is not something you can do with a rental unit. You’re basically at the mercy of the landlord in such cases. Another argument in favor of buying a home with an FHA mortgage instead of renting? The ability to purchase a multi-unit home | more...

February 15, 2023

FHA Fixed-Rate Mortgages Versus Adjustable Rate Mortgages

By Joe Wallace

What’s the difference between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate home loan? In 2023, you may find advantages in both types thanks to inflation and a recovering housing market. FHA single-family home loans come in a variety of types; both fixed-rate loans and those with adjustable rates. The rules for these loans, commonly referred to as FHA ARM loans, are spelled out in HUD 4000.1, the FHA Lender’s Handbook. Fixed rate home loans backed by the FHA are essentially what their name implies; a mortgage with a rate negotiated between the borrower and lender that does not change for the entire loan term. Borrowers who later want to apply for a lower rate can apply for FHA refinancing, including options such as the FHA Streamline Refinance loan program for FHA-to-FHA | more...

Home Loans For Building On Your Own Land

February 12, 2023

One-Time Close Construction Hints

By Joe Wallace

One-Time Close (OTC) loans allow borrowers to build a house on their own lot instead of having to choose from existing properties. You can be a first-time home buyer and still be approved for a One-Time Close construction loan, also known as Single-Close loans or Single-Close construction mortgages. If you have never examined your options on the real estate market, it’s easy to assume you aren’t financially qualified for a construction loan. After all, that sounds like a very big undertaking, doesn’t it? Having a house built for you? That may sound like something that other people might qualify for, but the fact is that FHA and VA OTC loans have the same requirements as any other FHA or VA mortgage. These loans are designed to be more affordable, and that | more...

February 8, 2023

Home Renovation With An FHA Loan

By Joe Wallace

There are two kinds of home renovation projects; the ones you plan and the unexpected renovation you may need to do if there is a sudden problem in the home after purchasing it. An unexpected home renovation can be caused by many things that were not a factor at the time your home inspection was done; a water pipe can burst, a stove can prematurely stop working, or storm damage could cause a leak in your roof. Repair experts and contractors will be quick to point out that even a home that passes an inspection can develop such problems through no fault of the builder or seller. An unexpected home repair situation isn’t uncommon for home owners, so what’s a borrower to do when the need arises? You can fund | more...

January 30, 2023

Before You Start House Hunting: Housing Counseling

By Joe Wallace

Saving money is usually done to prepare for a home loan, but did you know there is a simple trick to saving money on mortgage expenses? It basically involves being a more informed borrower so you don’t mistakenly choose options that cost you more unnecessarily. Getting the right home loan for your needs can help you maximize your real estate dollar, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t know the options they have where home loans are concerned. A Freddie Mac report indicates that housing counseling and/or good financial education is a key benefit when you start the journey toward buying real estate. Knowing which loans are best for your needs and which ones to avoid is key. A Freddie Mac “Generation Z Study”, concluded, “The dream of | more...