Articles Tagged With: FHA Refinance

September 24, 2019

What You Need To Know About FHA Refinance Loan Options

At the time of this writing, mortgage loan interest rates have fallen to historic lows; VA and FHA mortgage loan interest rates are at a best-execution 3.75% (offered to the most financially qualified applicants) and many homeowners may be saving thousands over the lifetime of their mortgages by refinancing into a lower interest rate. But what do you need to know about refinancing? There are several aspects to consider before you commit to a specific home loan refinance option. FHA loans offer a variety refinance loan options including the typical simple refinance (offering no cash back at closing time), cash-out refinancing, and for those who have existing FHA mortgages, the FHA-to-FHA Streamline refinance option offers a lot to a borrower with a low interest rate and a requirement that (for | more...

September 23, 2019

Mortgage Loans, Interest Rates, and Refinance Loans

By Joe Wallace

If you have been following mortgage loan interest rate trends recently, you know that FHA mortgage loan rates have been at historic lows and that last week there was a fairly significant market correction to rates. Fast forward to the end of last week and we see what some finance blogs are describing as a “correction to the correction”; FHA mortgage loan rates (best execution) were reported down from 3.5% to a best execution 3.375%. And for those who already have home loans, the temptation to refinance at the current time to take advantage of mortgage loan interest rates is strong; who wouldn’t want to save more money on their monthly payments or take equity out of the home in cash? Refinancing to make upgrades and improvements to a home | more...

September 10, 2019

FHA Refinance Loan Options Millenials Should Know

By Bruce Reichstein

Should millennials explore refinance options right now? Some finance and mortgage publications seem to think so, and recent headlines indicate that many are taking advantage of recent lower mortgage loan interest rates to explore their refi options. Some note that in recent times, some millennials have overlooked FHA refinance loans; one source indicates that FHA refinance applications dropped some nine percent during July 2019 among millennials; some blame that in part on a communication breakdown between lender and borrower where FHA loan benefits are concerned. What FHA refinance options should you know about before choosing the right kind of loan for you? FHA loans can be used to refinance conventional, VA, USDA, and other non-FHA mortgages. You can refinance an existing FHA mortgage with cash-out refinancing to convert the equity | more...

July 9, 2019

Can I Do An FHA Cash-Out Refinance On A Rental Property?

By Bruce Reichstein

When you buy a home with a mortgage loan, you generally have the option later down the line to apply for cash-out refinancing on that home. It doesn’t matter if you have a conventional mortgage, VA loan, or an FHA home loan, cash-out refinance options are available once you have made a minimum amount of mortgage loan payments (not ideal) and the cash-out options only get better the longer you pay on the original mortgage. Why is cash-out refinancing not such a great deal in the earliest days of your mortgage? Partially because you haven’t paid down the loan enough and/or waited for your property values to increase long enough in the right circumstances to get much value out of the property. Generally speaking, the longer you pay on the | more...

June 28, 2019

FHA Home Loan Rules For Refinance Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

When headlines about home loan interest rates start appearing with the terms “new lows” or “lowest in months”, the minds of many home owners turn to refinancing. It’s very tempting to explore refinance loan options when rates begin falling; saving more money over the lifetime of the refinance loan is appealing and some borrowers feel they didn’t shop around aggressively enough for a better interest rate the first time around. When you are getting ready to refinance, what do you need to keep in mind in terms of FHA refi loan rules? Here are some areas to ponder. Basic Refinance Loan Transactions FHA refi loans come in a few basic types according to the FHA Lender’s Handbook, HUD 4000.1: Cash-out refinances: designed to pull equity out of the Property. No | more...

June 10, 2019

FHA Cash Out Refinancing Advice

By Joe Wallace

What do home owners need to know about FHA cash-out refinancing? There are a number of questions to ask yourself before you commit. Refinancing can be a big financial help for a home owner but getting the right loan for your needs is half the battle. Ask Yourself If You Need Cash-Out Refinancing And Why A cash out refinance loan can help you thanks to the cash back on the transaction, but is cash back really what you need? If your real goal is to improve the home, for example, you can apply for a different type of refinancing that could provide more money for those improvements than a cash-out refi loan could. An FHA 203(k) rehab loan is perfect for those who need to do home improvement projects and | more...

June 7, 2019

Buying A Fixer-Upper With An FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan

By Joe Wallace

FHA 203(k) mortgages are different than a typical home loan for a new or existing construction home. These loans allow you to buy and renovate a property that would not necessarily meet FHA loan standards as-is. These loans are often called fixer-upper loans, rehab loans, etc. FHA rehab loans are available as both new purchase loans and refinance loans, you can use the loan for a property you already own or to buy a fixer-upper to begin working on. Rehab loans should not be confused with FHA Construction loans, construction-to-permanent mortgages sometimes referred to as FHA One-Time Close mortgages. The two types of loans can be similar in some respects, including the FHA minimum standards and construction requirements where the approved renovation work is concerned. And yes, the work you | more...

April 11, 2019

First-Time Refinance Advice

By Bruce Reichstein

Buying your first home with an FHA loan means, for some borrowers, the need to think about a first-time refinance later down the line. What do first-time home owners need to know about refinance loans and their FHA loan options? Decide Ahead Of Time On Your Goals For The Refinance Loan FHA refinance loans can help you do a number of things depending on the need for the loan. For example, you may wish to do repairs or upgrades in the home, and for that purpose an FHA 203(k) rehabilitation loan is an excellent option to pursue. Rehab loans allow you to simultaneously refinance and repair or upgrade the house with approved projects, but if you are looking for cash back to use in any way you see fit, the | more...

February 27, 2019

FHA Refinance Loans For Non-FHA Mortgages

By Bruce Reichstein

Did you buy your first home with the help of a real estate agent but without the benefit of an FHA mortgage? When you compare online mortgage rates you will notice that the websites publishing these interest rates listing FHA loans with mortgage interest rates than conventional equivalents. While it’s true that your FICO scores and other financial qualifications will play an important part in the rate you are offered, when it’s time to refinance you may find an advantage with FHA mortgages, and not just in the interest rate department. FHA Refinance Loans For Non-FHA Mortgages The FHA refinance loan options a non-FHA borrower has include cash-out refinancing, the equivalent of such a loan but with no cash back, and FHA rehabilitation mortgages known as FHA 203(k) rehab refinance | more...

December 10, 2018

On Buying A Home With An FHA Mortgage

By Joe Wallace

An FHA mortgage is not limited to those who are house hunting for the first time. FHA mortgages (and refinance loans) are open to all who financially qualify with FICO scores and other financial considerations. FHA mortgages are not restricted to first-time home buyers. FHA Loans: Backed By The Federal Government There are several government home loan programs; VA home loans, USDA mortgages for rural areas, plus FHA mortgages. FHA loans are government-backed to help borrowers buy affordable homes with a lower down payment requirement than conventional mortgages. Search the Internet and you’ll find (best-execution) mortgage loan interest rates all over the internet for FHA, VA, and conventional loans. In general government backed loans have a lower best execution rate and while interest rates fluctuate daily, FHA mortgages traditionally offer | more...