Articles Tagged With: FHA Refi

October 30, 2018

What You Can And Cannot Do With An FHA Home Loan

What are borrowers allowed to do with an FHA home loan? What is not allowed? Knowing your options before you apply is an important part of the process since all FHA home loan products are not made for the same purposes. You Can Use An FHA Mortgage To Buy A Mobile Home Or Condo There are FHA purchase loans available for mobile homes that meed FHA loan standards, and also mortgages to purchase condo units. FHA home loans allow these purchases as long as the mobile home is affixed to a permanent foundation and is transported directly to the site from the dealer or manufacturer. FHA condo loans are allowed when the condo unit is on or added to the FHA approved condo project list, the condo meets FHA minimum | more...

FHA Home Loans: Things To Do, Things Not To Do

October 29, 2018

Five Uses For FHA Refinance Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

Need to know your FHA refinance loan options? There are many good uses for an FHA refi loan including using cash-out refinance options to reduce existing debt or make a large future purchase to help with school, a job, etc. #5: FHA Refinance Loans Can Be Used To Get A Lower Interest Rate FHA interest rates are negotiated between borrower and lender. The rate you are offered with an FHA mortgage may be lower than conventional rates, so if you currently pay on a conventional mortgage it is a very good idea to ask a participating FHA lender how you may be able to get a better rate. Home loan interest rates offered to you are dependent in part on your credit, but don’t assume just because you have had | more...

FHA Home Loans And The Biggest Credit Mistake You Can Make

October 24, 2018

Four Things To Check Before Refinancing Your Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

What do you need to check before applying for an FHA refinance loan? There are some important areas to consider in the planning stages of your new loan that include interest rates, property values, and more. FHA Refinance Loans And Interest Rates Are you in a non-FHA loan hoping to get a lower interest rate through refinancing? Do an online search and you’ll find that lending websites indicate FHA home loans feature lower rates than conventional mortgages. The rates actually offered to you are contingent on your financial qualifications and how rates are performing at the time. It is very important to shop around for the best rates available to you. In certain times when rates are much lower, it may be tempting to wait or “float” to see if | more...

October 1, 2018

What Is A Home Loan Seasoning Period And Does This Affect My FHA Mortgage Application?

By Joe Wallace

What is a seasoning period and how does it affect an FHA mortgage loan? Simply put, the seasoning period is a required amount of time a borrower may be required to wait before even being allowed to apply for a new loan. Who does the seasoning period concept affect and why? What are the FHA home loan rules for these periods and when are they applicable? FHA Loan Seasoning Periods: The Basics A seasoning period on an FHA mortgage may be applicable for a new purchase loan in some cases, and refinance loans in others. For new purchase FHA home loans, the seasoning period applies most often to those who have had a negative credit event such as a bankruptcy or foreclosure. Bankruptcies and foreclosures require the borrower to wait | more...

September 25, 2018

Types Of FHA Mortgages: Refinance Loans

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loans come in both forward mortgages for purchasing homes but also refinance loan options. You can refinance a home with FHA cash-out loans, FHA Streamline loans, and Reverse Mortgages. The type of FHA refinance that’s right for you depends on your financial needs and goals, but there is a refinance loan option for most needs. Which one is right for you? FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loans FHA cash-out refinancing is for any mortgage, FHA or non-FHA. You do not have to have an existing FHA mortgage to apply for an FHA cash-out refinance and you do not have to use the same lender that issued your original mortgage. Cash-out refinancing requires a new appraisal and the amount of cash back to you depends on how much of your new | more...

September 21, 2018

FHA Refinance Loan Credit Questions And Answers

By Bruce Reichstein

FHA refinance loans have a set of guidelines for credit scores and credit history-do you know what it takes to be approved for an FHA refinance loan? There are some common questions about FHA refinance loans where credit is concerned, knowing the answers may help you a great deal. What Kind Of Credit Scores Do I Need To Be Approved For An FHA Refinance Loan? In general, FHA loan requirements include a FICO score at 500 or better for some loans, 580 and higher for maximum financing. These are FHA minimum requirements and do not reflect lender standards, which may be higher. Refinance loans with cash out will require certain FICO score ranges (lender provided) that are key to getting maximum financing. You will need to ask the lender about | more...

September 19, 2018

Sell Or Refinance With An FHA Loan?

By Joe Wallace

Which is the better option? Sell your home, or refinance your mortgage loan with an FHA refinance loan? Your financial needs and goals will determine part of the answer to this question, the nature of the housing market and how much you still owe on your mortgage loan will help inform the answer, too. FHA Refinance Loan Options For Those Considering Selling Their Property You can sell the home you’re currently in, or refinance it with an FHA cash-out refinance loan or an FHA rehab loan if you want to use FHA mortgage loan funds to repair or remodel the property. Why refinance instead of sell? Some borrowers think about selling because they want to move into a larger home. Refinancing isn’t an option for these people…or is it? The | more...

September 10, 2018

FHA Mortgage Refinance Checklist

By Bruce Reichstein

If you are exploring your refinance loan options, FHA refi loans can help with cash out refinancing, rate-and-term refi, or even a refinance loan that lets you rehab or remodel your property. If you want a refinance loan, it’s a very good idea to assemble a checklist in the planning stages so you know where you need to focus to prepare for the new loan. There is more than one area to make checklists for including areas like your credit, your home ownership goals, and the plans you have for your refi loan. FHA Refinance Loan Checklists: Goals And Financial Plans A good checklist includes the reasons for your checklist items in the first place. Ask yourself why you want to refinance your mortgage-make a list of pros and cons | more...

September 6, 2018

FHA Home Loans: Five Reasons To Buy A Home Instead Of Renting

By Bruce Reichstein

In our last blog post we discussed some reasons to purchase a home with an FHA mortgage instead of renting a property. Most of the reasons discussed in the previous post had to do with financial matters including the fact that renters gain no equity in their rental homes, and they have no ability to apply for a cash-out refinance loan based on the current value of the home. Reverse mortgages are unavailable to renters, too. But there are other reasons to buy a home and not rent. Are you thinking of an FHA mortgage to buy a home based on some of the reasons listed below? There are compelling arguments for each of the five reasons. #5: Buying A Home Means More Privacy Borrowers who own their own homes | more...

August 31, 2018

FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan Options

By Joe Wallace

With home values on the rise in many housing markets, FHA borrowers are often tempted to consider applying for a cash-out refinance to take advantage of their new property values. A National Association of Realtors report says home values for existing construction increased from more than $190 thousand (2009) well over $275 thousand in 2018. That can translate into serious borrowing power for some home owners. But knowing your FHA cash-out refinance loan options is important; know the details before you apply for the loan! Who Qualifies For An FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan? The legal title holder (presumably the original borrower or one of the original borrowers) who intends to remain or become an owner-occupier of the home may apply for FHA cash-out refinancing. HUD 4000.1, the FHA loan handbook, | more...