Articles Tagged With: FHA Loan Questions

March 27, 2017

FHA Loan Rules For Part-Time Income

A reader asked us a question in the comments section this week about part-time income and how it may or may not qualify as verifiable income for an FHA loan. The reader asks: “My file is with the underwriter for review, they have asked for an VOE from my employer but they stated I work 16 hours a week (position hired into) but I always work more the 16 hr a week for the last 5-6 months and I’m going to continue to work more then that, they have already seen check stubs and both w2 from 2015 and 2016. Could this deny me for my loan?” We first have to determine what the FHA definition of part-time income. HUD 4000.1 gives lenders guidance in this area beginning with the | more...

March 21, 2017

FHA Home Loans and Zoning: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

How are FHA home loans affected by zoning laws? A reader asked a question about this in our comments section recently: “I have a family who wants to purchase a home on commercial zoned property. The County has given a letter stating that they would allow the rebuilding of the residence as long as less than 75% was damaged in a disaster. The lenders are refusing to allow an FHA residential loan for the property. It is clearly residential use in commercial zoning. Whey would they refuse to abide by the rules you state?” This question is in reference to a 2011 blog post titled, “Can I Get An FHA Loan For A Commercial Property?” The FHA loan rules quoted in that post have since been superseded in their entirety | more...

Can I buy a manufactured home with an FHA loan?

March 20, 2017

FHA Loan Rules For Employment: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan rules require the lender to verify a borrower’s employment-how long the borrower has been employed, the nature and duration of the job, the pay, and other factors that may be required by lender standards or state law. Sometimes it is easy to misunderstand these requirements, but many simply don’t know what the lender is looking for when verifying a borrower for an FHA mortgage loan. One reader got in touch with us to learn what the FHA loan rules are for employment, asking, “What is the required period of employment for FHA?” HUD 4000.1 provides the answer, stating: “For all Employment related Income, the Mortgagee must verify the Borrowers most recent two years of employment and income, and document using one of the following methods” which include “traditional” | more...

March 15, 2017

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader got in touch recently about issues related to Chapter 13 bankruptcy and FHA mortgage loans. “I made all payments for 6 years on my chapter 13 and they said I have to wait 2 more years to be approved when my credit score is over 730. I dont get it I paid my dues and still have to wait.” The primary confusion here is associated with the FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 regarding “seasoning” periods that are required in the wake of certain types of negative credit events such as a bankruptcy. The rules vary depending on the type of bankruptcy you have filed, but in the case of this reader question, let’s examine what FHA loan rules have to say about Chapter 13 bankruptcy: “A Chapter | more...

March 10, 2017

FHA Appraisals: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

This week in our comments section, a reader asked us a question about how certain aspects of FHA appraisals work. “I am pre-approved for a FHA loan, and lucked into having an estate offered to me before they list with a realtor, at a fantastic price! Problem is, it is 6 acres with an older mobile home…it was built in 1977, so meets the age requirement barely, but I have heard many different explanations as to what qualifies it as ‘permanent’, or ‘tied to the land’.” “It cannot be moved, has had permanent additions on foundations attached, and a complete roof addition over all of it, so certainly cannot be moved, and is in REALLY great condition. However, the title has NOT been retired for itso my question is, can | more...

March 8, 2017

Qualifying For An FHA Mortgage

By Joe Wallace

Why don’t some borrowers qualify for an FHA mortgage loan? A reader got in touch with us recently to ask a question along these lines: “I work at a high school, married w/baby. My credit is 640 have the 3.5% but my real estate lady says I dont qualify, FHA whats up?” Just a note for clarity: this blog is in no way affiliated with the FHA, HUD or any government agency. We report on FHA loan rules, news, and policy, but we have no connection with the agency itself. This reader question is a good example of a type of misunderstanding of the FHA loan approval process-that FICO scores alone determine your ability to get an FHA mortgage loan application approved. FICO scores are very important, and people can | more...

When Is An FHA Loan Better Than A Conventional Loan?

March 7, 2017

Back Taxes And FHA Home Loans

By Joe Wallace

Are unpaid back taxes a liability when it comes time to applying for an FHA mortgage or refinance loan? A reader asks, “I am currently paying back taxes on a payment plan but have filed all appropriate tax returns. Is the rule that your taxes must be paid in full prior to applying for an FHA loan or they just have to be filed? In other words, am I still eligible while paying back taxes owed?” FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 do address the back taxes issue, primarily from the standpoint of the loan applicant who has delinquent federal tax debt. That is not to imply that the reader asking this particular question is in that category, but rather to point out that FHA loan rules address the issue | more...

February 23, 2017

FHA Loan Employment Rules: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asked us a question in the comments section recently about FHA loan rules for employment verification. “I just got denied a FHA loan because I had a gap in employment for only 3 months. I wanted to know does having a gap for only 3 months qualify me for getting denied?” It’s important to remember that FHA loan standards found in HUD 4000.1 (the FHA single family loan rule book) are not the only standards that are recognized or enforced when the lender is processing a home loan application. FHA loan rules, state law, lender standards, and even things that are considered “customary” in the local housing market may all play a part in FHA loan approval and processing. So what’s found in HUD 4000.1 is a good | more...

February 22, 2017

Divorce And FHA Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks, “I was divorced 5 years ago but he stayed in the house. He is always behind on the payments and it affects my credit. I have divorce papers that state he is solely responsible for the house and payment. Also he was court ordered to get the house in his name but hasnt and the courts wont do anything about it but extend his time. Can I buy a house even though because of his late payments has made my credit score less than 500. How do I handle this?” This reader question should be answered by legal counsel-giving legal advice is outside the scope of this blog, except to recommend that when legal help is needed that it’s best to get the services of someone with | more...

February 21, 2017

Commission Income and FHA Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

How does commission income count when applying for an FHA mortgage? A reader asked us recently, “I was denied a mortgage because of a commissioned salary, even though Im full time and am guaranteed 15.75/hr. Interestingly, everything was all ready to go on my measly 12/hour salary before I got this better job. Now Im thinking that may have been a mistake on the part of the lender…” FHA loan rules governing this type of income (as verifiable income that is stable and likely to continue) are found in HUD 4000.1. The reader question does not state as much, but it seems implied that the commission income situation is recent. If so, the lender may need the borrower to have more time on the job as an employee earning commissions | more...