Articles Tagged With: FHA Loan Rules

March 17, 2016

FHA Loan Advice: Know Your Costs, Interest Rates

We give a lot of advice both here and in our comments section about FHA home loans. And there’s a lot to give; FHA loan rules cover everything from the acceptable minimum condition of the home to a borrower’s credit requirements for maximum financing. But what does the FHA itself, as a government agency, say about the home buying process? Our publication is not associated with the FHA in any way, and what follows is the result of our research and examination of FHA-published material. What we have found is definitely information a potential borrower should consider during the planning stages of a new home loan or refinance loan. An FHA publication titled, Looking For The Best Mortgage has some excellent overall advice for the borrower starting with the old | more...

March 16, 2016

FHA Loan Rules for “Expected Income”

By Joe Wallace

It’s easy for borrowers to get nervous about their debt to income ratio when trying to qualify for an FHA mortgage. Some, who may be concerned that their ratio isn’t good enough may look to expected raises, performance bonuses, or other types of future earnings that haven’t begun yet in hopes that those extra earnings might give them a better chance at loan approval. But what do FHA loan rules say about this type of expected income? The issue is addressed on page 2o7 of HUD 4000.1, starting with the FHA definition of expected income, provided to clear up any confusion over what may or may not be counted as such: “Expected Income refers to income from cost-of-living adjustments, performance raises, a new job, or retirement that has not been, | more...

March 10, 2016

FHA Loan Standards: Charge-Offs and Collections

By Joe Wallace

We’ve gotten several questions in the comments section about certain credit issues related to charge-offs, collections and other forms of derogatory credit information. With those questions in mind it seems like a good time to review the rules as published in HUD 4000.1 that instruct the lender on how to interpret these things and decide on loan approval. But before we start looking at the rules, it’s very important to point out that the information listed here are FHA minimum standards. A given lender or financial institution may have more strict requirements depending on circumstances, state laws, or other factors. Remember that FHA loan rules don’t override state law and lenders are free to require higher standards as long as they are in compliance with federal laws. When it comes | more...

March 8, 2016

FHA Loan Rules For Home Sales: HUD 4000.1

By Joe Wallace

The FHA Single Family Mortgage Loan program is regulated by the rules published in HUD 4000.1. These rules cover everything from appraisal requirements and FICO score minimums to Fair Housing requirements and responsibilities. HUD 4000.1 also establishes requirements for the home loan transaction–for example, did you know FHA mortgage loan rules have specific parameters for who can sell the property to the borrower purchasing with an FHA mortgage? HUD 4000.1 clearly states: “To be eligible for a mortgage insured by FHA, a Property must be purchased from the owner of record. The transaction may not involve any sale or assignment of the sales contract.” How is the lender required to establish that the seller is the owner of record? FHA loan rules say the lender must, “obtain documentation verifying that | more...

March 7, 2016

HUD 4000.1 Rules On Down Payment Assistance

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment as a condition of the loan. In some cases, depending on state law, the availability of a program, and other factors, certain borrowers may be eligible for some form of down payment assistance. This assistance is often intended for first time home buyers, which may create some confusion–it’s easy to mistakenly assume FHA loans themselves offer some kind of incentive for first time home buyers, or that the FHA provides down payment assistance. Neither of those two things are true–the FHA offers no preferential treatment to first-time buyers nor does it require more of second-time buyers. The FHA itself does not offer any form of down payment assistance. However, the FHA single family home loan program rule book, HUD 4000.1, does | more...

March 4, 2016

Ordering a Second FHA Appraisal: The Rules in HUD 4000.1

By Joe Wallace

There are many questions about the FHA appraisal process–we get many in the comments section asking about the nuances of FHA appraisals. One typical question has to do with when a second appraisal is appropriate or permitted. Can a second FHA appraisal be ordered if the borrower or lender doesn’t agree with the outcome of the original? HUD 4000.1 spells out the rules for FHA appraisals including “second appraisal” requirements. They include the following: “The Mortgagee is prohibited from ordering an additional appraisal to achieve an increase in value for the Property and/or the elimination or reduction of deficiencies and/or repairs required. The Mortgagee may order a second appraisal for Mortgages that are in accordance with requirements on Property Flipping.” FHA policy, based on the reading above, is clear–you can’t | more...

March 2, 2016

FHA Home Loan Rules: Non-Borrowing Spouses

By Joe Wallace

Some legally married couples who want to purchase a home don’t necessarily want to do so with both spouses on the mortgage loan. Does an FHA loan require both spouses to submit to a credit check even though only one will be the borrower? The answer depends not on FHA loan requirements, but whether or not the couple live or are purchasing a home in a state with community property laws that have something to say about the nature of the debts incurred once the couple are legally married. FHA loan rules in this area are found in HUD 4000.1, which has a section dedicated to instructing the lender how to process the credit information for a non-borrowing spouse in community property states. This portion of the FHA loan rules | more...

March 1, 2016

FHA Loan Rules: , Student Loans, Co-Signing and “Contingent Liabilities”

By Joe Wallace

We’ve gotten a variety of questions in the comments section in early 2016 about FHA loan rules for student loans, co-signing, and how the FHA loan program rules view things like deferred obligations and contingent liabilities. Those two terms can be a bit confusing, so it’s good to know what they are and how they can affect your FHA loan application. A deferred obligation is basically any arrangement that resembles a student loan deferment where an amount is owed, but the payment for that obligation may be reduced or delayed as part of an arrangement made between the lender and borrower. In cases where this type of debt is concerned, HUD 4000.1 states that the loan officer must: “…use the actual monthly payment to be paid on a deferred liability, | more...

February 29, 2016

FHA Loan Rules in HUD 4000.1: Gaps In Employment, Temporary Reductions of Income

By Joe Wallace

HUD 4000.1 is the FHA loan rule book for single family home loans and refinance loans. This rule book includes instructions to the lender on how to process FHA loan applications and how the lender should treat specific circumstances that can affect a borrower’s chances for FHA loan approval. Naturally these rules are FHA loan minimum standards and lenders may have additional requirements, but the basics for FHA loan approval are addressed. These basics include instructions to the lender on how the FHA views application issues such as having frequent gaps in employment or temporary reductions of income. What do these situations do to a borrower’s chances for FHA loan approval? HUD 4000.1 addresses the frequent gaps in employment issue directly, stating: “For Borrowers with gaps in employment of six | more...

February 29, 2016

Mortgage Rate Trends: Higher Friday

By Joe Wallace

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...