Articles Tagged With: FHA Loan Rules

November 25, 2015

Mortgage Loan Interest Rate Trends: Holding Steady After Some Upwards Movement

Monday say mortgage rates moving slightly higher, while on Tuesday rates held steady. There’s some market volatility this week for reasons that include the Thanksgiving holiday–rates may well move into a defensive posture on Wednesday in anticipation of the down day on Thursday. Add to that the uncertainty over a Fed interest rate hike in December and you have a combination of factors that equals a risky time to float, at least in the minds of some industry pros. 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgages are, at the time of this writing, between 4.0% and 4.125% depending on the lender (best execution). The rate changes we’ve seen this week so far may be reflected in closing costs rather than an actual higher interest rate, so borrowers should know that when they | more...

November 24, 2015

HUD 4000.1 On Appraisals: Sewage Systems

By Joe Wallace

In a recent blog post, we examined what FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 say about water utility systems. Borrowers and sellers alike should know the FHA stance on public utilities–especially where it comes to water hookup: “The Mortgagee must confirm that a connection is made to a public or Community Water System whenever feasible and available at a reasonable cost. If connection costs to the public or community system are not reasonable, the existing onsite systems are acceptable, provided they are functioning properly and meet the requirements of the local health department.” That’s part of the entry in HUD 4000.1 about water utility systems, but there is also a separate entry for sewage. This entry begins by basically restating the above for clarity: “The Mortgagee must confirm that a | more...

Can I buy a manufactured home with an FHA loan?

November 24, 2015

Get Ready For Your FHA Cash Out Refinance Loan

By Joe Wallace

When you buy a home with a conventional, FHA, or other type of home loan product, one day you may wish to refinance to take advantage of the equity you’ve built up in the home. An FHA cash-out refinance loan can help you do that. With a little planning you can make the most of your refinance experience. The first step is to figure out how much time you need to prepare for the loan. There are closing costs, and a new credit application and appraisal will be required. Saving money for the appraisal is a good idea, and if you wish to purchase discount points on your cash out loan you can pay for them up front with reduced stress on your monthly budget if you take enough time | more...

November 20, 2015

FHA Minimum Property Requirements in HUD 4000.1: Remaining Economic Life Of The Home

By Joe Wallace

HUD 4000.1 has a section with guidelines concerning the minimum property standards for homes to be purchased with an FHA mortgage. There are instructions to the lender concerning issues such as encroachments, overhead power lines, safety and related issues. HUD 4000.1 has specific language that requires certain aspects of the home be functional for the life of the loan. “The Mortgagee must confirm that the Structure of the Property will be serviceable for the life of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee must confirm that all foundations will be serviceable for the life of the Mortgage and adequate to withstand all normal loads imposed.” There is also a section that addresses FHA minimum standards for the remaining economic life of the property. These requirements exist to protect the investment made in the | more...

November 20, 2015

Agreement Reached In Michigan Housing Discrimination Case

By Joe Wallace

The FHA/HUD official site has issued a press release announcing an agreement in a Michigan housing discrimination case. According to HUDNo.15-147, a “concilliation agreement” has been reached between the government and Mortgage One, Inc., of Sterling Heights, Michigan, “resolving allegations of lending discrimination againstan applicant with disabilities.” According to the press release, HUD claimed Mortgage One and a loan officer, “required the mortgage applicant to provide intrusive and unnecessary documentation regarding his disabilities before approving his FHA-insured mortgage”. A persons qualifications to purchase a home should be the only criteria used to evaluate his or her loan application, not whether they are living with a disability, said Gustavo Velasquez, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, who was quoted in the press release. He adds, This agreement reaffirms | more...

November 19, 2015

FHA Loan Appraisal Standards: Environmental Concerns

By Joe Wallace

We’ve been reviewing appraisal standards and minimum property requirements as listed in the new HUD single family FHA loan rulebook, HUD 4000.1. One important section concerns environmental standards for any home purchased with an FHA mortgage. In general the lender is responsible for insuring that homes purchased with FHA loans are, “free of all known environmental and safety hazards and adverse conditions that may affect the health and safety of the occupants, the Propertys ability to serve as collateral, and the structural soundness of the improvements.” The lender cannot approve homes for FHA mortgages, for example, when power lines cross over certain water-based features of the home such as swimming pools. The existence of high pressure gas pipelines may also be a problem depending on the nature and location of | more...

November 19, 2015

Mortgage Rate Trends: Unchanged To Slightly Higher

By Joe Wallace

All eyes were on the Fed on Wednesday in anticipation of the release of Fed meeting minutes many hoped would give a bit more clarification to the possible December interest rate hike that’s been discussed. After the release of those minutes, mortgage rate behavior only changed a small amount, leaving best execution rates more or less where they have been in the last few days. Is a rate hike coming in December? That has not been confirmed (the Fed is definitely pointing towards the possibility), but many sources believe that interest rates for mortgage loans probably won’t take any steep plunges before that issue is cleared up. We’re likely staring at a tight range of rates until that happens. Some feel there is still potential for rates to move lower | more...

November 13, 2015

FHA Home Loan Income Rules: Disability Income

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 have requirements for the lender to follow when it comes time to verify income. One type of income the lender may need to verify is disability income from SSI, the VA, or private disability benefits. HUD 4000.1 has this to say about this type of income, starting with a basic definition of terms: “Disability Benefits are benefits received from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), other public agencies, or a private disability insurance provider.” “The Mortgagee must verify and document the Borrowers receipt of benefits from the SSA, VA, or private disability insurance provider. The Mortgagee must obtain documentation that establishes award benefits to the Borrower.” The timing of such benefits is crucial, as HUD 4000.1 adds, “If any disability | more...

November 13, 2015

HUD 4000.1 Appraisal Rules: Required Repairs

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan appraisal rules found in HUD 4000.1 give the lender specific instructions on how to proceed with an FHA loan during the appraisal process. HUD 4000.1 has some very specific language that can help a borrower understand key issues surrounding FHA mortgage loans, including why an FHA appraisal should not be mistaken for a “home inspection” nor used in place of one. The FHA appraisal is carried out to make sure the home meets minimum standards, and where a home does not, require minimum repairs or corrections to the property to bring it up to minimum standards. According to HUD 4000.1: “As the on-site representative for the Mortgagee, the Appraiser provides preliminary verification that a Property meets the Property Acceptability Criteria, which includes HUDs Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) and | more...

November 12, 2015

HUD 4000.1 On Lead Paint Disclosures

By Joe Wallace

Since the FHA and HUD published the new single family home loan rulebook, HUD 4000.1 earlier in 2015, we have been examining important aspects of that rulebook. The FHA changed/updated some portions of the rules, added other portions to existing regulations, and issued a message that lenders were expected to become familiar with HUD 4000.1 as a whole, rather than try to explain each and every instance of changed or modified policy in the new publication. So we’ve been tackling some of these relevant issues, discussing them individually as they appear in HUD 4000.1. One such issue has to do with lead paint disclosure requirements. HUD 4000.1 states, “If the Property was built before 1978, the seller must disclose any information known about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before | more...