Articles Tagged With: FHA

December 27, 2018

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans: Advice For First-Time Home Buyers

First-time home buyers aren’t always looking for a pre-existing home. Some want to have a house built to suit according to design plans they have personally approved. The FHA One-Time Close construction loan is an excellent option for those who want to build a home instead of having to scour the housing market for just the right property. It’s good to explore FHA mortgage loan options in this area by asking a participating lender about the FHA One-Time Close (OTC) construction loan which allows a single loan application and a single closing date instead of the more traditional construction loan which features two loan applications and closing dates. One closing date is for the construction phase and there is also a second loan and closing date for the mortgage itself. | more...

December 25, 2018

Happy Holidays 2018!

By Bruce Reichstein

Happy Holidays! We’re pausing from our usual schedule of writing about home loans, mortgage trends, FHA and HUD news, and related topics in order to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family. From all of us here, have a fun and safe holiday season! Our normal schedule resumes on Wednesday, December 26. Thank you for reading!

December 14, 2018

Late Payments Can Hurt Your Home Loan Chances

By Joe Wallace

When you apply for any kind of credit including an FHA home loan, the lender will check your payment history to see what kind of patterns are evident. Are you a responsible borrower? The lender wants to see indications that you are one. A Full Year Of On-Time Payments In general it’s recommended that house hunters come to the FHA loan process with 12 months of on-time payments on all financial obligations. A late or missed payment can require the lender to find reasons to justify the home loan, including making a determination that late or missed payments are not likely to happen be an ongoing problem. Borrowers sometimes make certain assumptions about their credit history that simply are not true. Some believe that if they do not report certain | more...

November 26, 2018

One-Time Close Mortgages: The Differences Between VA, FHA, And USDA

By Bruce Reichstein

There are several different kinds of loan options you can explore if you want a home built for you instead of purchasing an existing-construction house. The type of home loan known as an FHA One-Time Close construction loan is available to provide a single loan application and closing date for your mortgage. The VA One-Time Close loan and USDA One-Time Close construction loan have similar features but these three types of construction loan do not have identical features and they are not appropriate for all borrowers. Of the three, FHA One-Time Close loans (known as FHA OTC loans) offers construction loan options to a wider range of applicants. Why? USDA One-Time Close Construction Loans USDA One-Time Close loans allow financially qualified borrowers to apply for a single loan to build | more...

November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving 2018!

By Bruce Reichstein

Happy Thanksgiving 2018! Today we pause from our usual discussion of FHA home loans, refinance loans, FHA reverse mortgages and related topics to enjoy the holiday. Our regular schedule of posts resumes on Friday. Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving holiday and we’ll see you tomorrow!

November 13, 2018

FHA Home Loans For 2019

By Bruce Reichstein

What are your FHA home loan options in 2019? Those looking to start house hunting in the new year should know about FHA loan guaranty limits and how those limits can change from year to year. This is a very important detail of the home loan process you should know before starting the search for your dream home. FHA loans have limits that are set periodically and can change from year to year. For many years, the basic limit did not change, and in high or low-cost areas the limits are naturally different but the amount of those respectively higher or lower limits don’t always change. However, in 2018 FHA loan limits did change, and borrowers found they had increased limits according to FHA Mortgagee Letter 2017-16. The national limit | more...

November 12, 2018

Happy Veterans Day 2018!

By Bruce Reichstein

Happy Veterans Day! Many banks will be closed to observe this federal holiday, bond markets are closed, and we pause in our usual routine of answering questions about FHA home loans to honor our nation’s vets. Thank a veteran for her service, and remember the sacrifices all our troops have made no matter where in the world they may be stationed. To all current and former members of the U.S. military, THANK YOU for your service! Our regular posting schedule resumes tomorrow.

November 7, 2018

What Is An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What is an FHA loan? What are they used for? These are fairly basic questions, but there is a surprising amount of confusion about certain aspects of the FHA mortgage loan program. Know these facts about FHA home loans to make the decision about buying or refinancing a home loan with an FHA mortgage. FHA Single Family Home Loans Are For House Hunters FHA loans are intended for those who wish to purchase a home using a government-backed loan that requires a lower down payment than many conventional loans. These loans cannot be applied for to be used as personal loans, though FHA cash-out refinancing is an option for borrowers who have equity built up in the home over time. FHA loans are intended for owner/occupiers, and there is an | more...

October 9, 2018

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

Why should borrowers consider applying for an FHA One-Time Close (OTC) Construction Loan to build a home? There are several reasons why having a home built for you from the ground up rather than purchasing an existing construction property might be appealing. FHA One-Time Close mortgages are construction loans that have a single application and closing date; they require the use of escrow and the borrower can either purchase land to build on or use the land already owned. What are the motivations for using an FHA OTC? FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans have lower down payment guidelines, equity in the land owned could be used toward the FHA down payment requirement where applicable, and the borrower makes no mortgage payments during the construction phase of the loan. There are | more...

September 28, 2018

FHA Home Loan Approval Questions Part One

By Joe Wallace

FHA home loan approval is a process that requires your lender to review your credit history, employment history, and many other factors before deciding to approve or deny a home loan application. There are many questions about this process, and the more answers you have before yo start filling out applications, the better. The answers in this blog post pertain to FHA loan basics, but also rules for self-employed borrowers and those earning commission income. FHA Loan Approval Basics: What Do I Need To Know? The lender will pull copies of your credit report and review your payment history for the 12 months leading up to the mortgage loan application. FHA loan rules are similar to other home loan requirements in this area; coming to your FHA mortgage application process | more...