Articles Tagged With: FHA Loan Rules

April 18, 2017

Mortgage Rate Trends: Lower

Mortgage rate trends have generally been moving in favor or lower rates over the short term, and since our last report we’ve seen those rates move into territory not firmly held for quite some time. What is good for the economy is often bad for mortgage rates, and vice-versa, so the uncertain news you see related to some economic issues at home can be viewed as a contributing factor for lower rate activity in recent days. What we’re seeing as of late includes the influence of global economic headlines, domestic questions about the value of the U.S. dollar following statements out of Washington, and stock market activity. All this contributing toward the downward trend in mortgage rates. Investors hate uncertainty, and often run to the safety of bonds when times | more...

When Is An FHA Loan Better Than A Conventional Loan?

April 14, 2017

Identity of Interest Issues And FHA Loans

By Joe Wallace

A reader got in touch to ask about FHA loans and identity of interest rules this week. “I have a loan that I am working on right now and the underwriter is saying that we have an “identity of interest” issue.” “The situation is this my borrower is not related to the seller but has been renting the house she is buying for five months. Because there is no family relationship between the seller & buyer, does she has to live in the house for six months?” The FHA loan rule book, HUD 4000.1, describes identity of interest transactions as a house sale “between parties with an existing Business Relationship or between Family Members.” The word “interest” in this case refers not to interest rates, but rather to the interest | more...

What You Need To Know About Your FHA Home Loan

April 13, 2017

FHA Loan Limits: Low-Cost Areas, High-Cost Areas

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan limits can be puzzling to those unfamiliar with how the program works. FHA loans are calculated based upon the appraised value of the property or the sale price, whichever is lower. There are other factors that will help determine the final amount of the home loan including whether approved closing costs have been rolled into the loan, approved energy efficient upgrades, etc. But housing markets vary across the nation. What is an affordable, modest price for a house in one area won’t be enough to purchase property in a high-cost area. So how does the FHA determine what the proper loan amount should be with this factor in mind? HUD 4000.1 has the answers, listing FHA loan limits, and their requirements and loan guaranty limits for low-cost areas | more...

April 10, 2017

Seller Contributions on FHA Loans

By Joe Wallace

A reader asks a question about seller contributions on an FHA mortgage loan. “What is included in seller contributions with a max of 6%?” The question refers to something informally known as the “six percent rule” on FHA mortgages, which limits the contributions of an “interested party” to six percent of the sale price of the home. This rule is found on page 232 of HUD 4000.1, which defines both interested parties and their contributions to the sale as follows: “Interested Parties refer to sellers, real estate agents, builders, developers or other parties with an interest in the transaction. Interested Party Contribution refers to a payment by an Interested Party, or combination of parties, toward the Borrowers origination fees, other closing costs and discount points.” What are the FHA loan | more...

April 7, 2017

FHA Loan Rules: Borrowers, Co-Borrowers, Co-Signers

By Joe Wallace

Do you know what the FHA loan rules are for borrowers, co-borrowers, and/or co-signers? What are the requirements for each and how is your lender required to proceed with each? The FHA home loan rule book for single family mortgages, reverse mortgages, and refinance loans is HUD 4000.1 It instructs the lender that borrowers have an occupancy requirement-the borrower must agree to take ownership of the home and use it as her or his primary residence after loan closing. Usually the borrower will have to move in within 60 days of closing. HUD 4000.1 also tells the lender that borrowers may only purchase homes with FHA loans within the United States or its’ territories. Purchase of non-U.S. real estate is not permitted with an FHA mortgage. All parties to be | more...

April 6, 2017

Credit Report Data, Disputed Accounts, and FHA Loans

By Joe Wallace

Borrowers are often advised to give themselves plenty of time in the pre-purchase planning stages to review credit report details to make sure there are no errors or outdated information. What happens if a borrower does see something on a credit report and chooses to dispute it? Ideally, issues like these should be caught very early in the planning stages. You should check your credit report as early as one year prior to the home loan application in order to give yourself enough time to dispute items if required. But not all borrowers have that much time to deal with such issues, and FHA loan rules address disputed accounts in detail. HUD 4000.1, the FHA single family home loan rule book, has two sections on disputed accounts-one for derogatory credit | more...

April 5, 2017

Temporary Reduction of Income: FHA Loan Rules

By Joe Wallace

What happens if a borrower fills out an FHA loan application while having a temporary reduction of income either on the record or ongoing during the application process? Does the FHA loan rule book, HUD 4000.1, address these situations? Fortunately, yes. There are many reasons why a loan applicant might experience a temporary reduction of income-short term disability, for example. Maternity leave. Temporary leaves of absence, sabbaticals, etc. According to page 206 of HUD 4000.1, FHA loan rules in this area include the following: “For Borrowers with a temporary reduction of income due to a short-term disability or similar temporary leave, the Mortgagee may consider the Borrowers current income as Effective Income, if it can verify and document that: – the Borrower intends to return to work; – the Borrower | more...

FHA Loans And Natural Disasters: What You Should Know

March 31, 2017

FHA Appraisal Rules: When Corrections Are Required

By Joe Wallace

The FHA appraisal process is a typical part of purchasing a home. The appraisal establishes the fair market value of the property and also insures the home meets minimum FHA loan standards. These standards are know as MPS and MPRs-Minimum Property Standards and Minimum Property Requirements, respectively. While the FHA appraisal is not designed to catch any/all problems with a home, it is a tool for the lender to use to determine whether the property is acceptable or not. Whether you’re applying for a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate loan, purchasing a condo, town home, or manufactured home, each transaction is subject to the FHA appraisal process. What happens if the appraiser reviews the property only to find issues that do not meet FHA minimum standards? The answer is | more...

March 30, 2017

Mortgage Rate Trends: Moving Lower

By Joe Wallace

Since our last mortgage rate report, the overall trend has been downward in the short-term. Over the past several business days we have seen rates see-saw back and forth within a certain range, but at the time of this writing, rates are lower than when we reported on them last. 30-year fixed rate mortgages are at 4.25%, best execution. That’s in the middle of the range we last reported, with 4.375% at the upper end and 4.125% at the lower end. FHA loans are finally seeing a mortgage rate range falling back into the sub-four percent range; depending on the lender FHA mortgage rate numbers are reported between 3.75% and 4.25% best execution. Remember, “best execution” refers to rates offered to extremely well-qualified borrowers with outstanding FICO scores and other | more...

March 23, 2017

FHA Loans After A Deed-In-Lieu

By Joe Wallace

How long does a borrower have to wait to apply for a new FHA mortgage following a deed-in-lieu? A reader asks us a question along those lines this week: “We went Chapter 13 about 8 years ago and paid the CH 13 off through the repayment plan. We also relinquished our home with a DIL of foreclosure. The house sat on the market for 7 years and finally sold last July. Three different banks have told us that we are not eligible yet to buy another home because we have to wait 2-3 years (depending on who we asked) after the home was transferred out of our name to the new owner. Please help!! How many years do we have to wait? Is it 2 or 3? Thank you!” FHA | more...