Articles Tagged With: FHA

November 16, 2017

What Should I Know About FHA Loan Requirements?

What should I know about FHA loan requirements? The first thing to keep in mind is that no single factor determines your ability to borrow. Your FICO score is an important part of the loan approval process, but it’s not the only thing you will need to pay attention to in the 12 months leading up to your loan application. FHA Loan Approval Requirements FHA loan standards include a review of your FICO scores to determine whether you are eligible for maximum financing with a 3.5% minimum down payment. Those with FICO scores at 580 or higher are technically eligible for maximum financing. However, this is the FHA loan program minimum standard and your lender may have higher FICO score requirements. FICO scores affect your down payment, interest rate offerings, | more...

November 15, 2017

Do The Same FHA Loan Requirements Apply to All Borrowers?

By Joe Wallace

Do the same FHA loan requirements apply to all borrowers? This is a complex question, and the answer depends greatly on whether credit issues are being discussed or whether general requirements for loan approval outside FICO scores are the topic. What’s the difference? Basically, FHA loan rules apply for all borrowers when it comes to the basic minimum requirements, standards, and verification processes for a certain type of mortgage. If you apply for a new purchase mortgage, those basic requirements will affect your transaction. But the basic requirements for an FHA reverse mortgage are not the same as those for a new purchase loan and so there are different standards for that type of loan including an age requirement. FHA reverse mortgages are only for qualified borrowers age 62 or | more...

November 14, 2017

Do First Time Home Buyers Have Different FHA Loan Requirements? Part Two

By Bruce Reichstein

Do first time home buyers have different FHA loan requirements than those who have owned a home before? The short answer is no-FHA mortgages do not have different terms or requirements for different types of borrowers. First time home buyers may find that an individual lender or financial institution offers incentives for first time buyers, but these programs are not mandated or regulated by the FHA. The FHA loan FICO score minimum requirements, appraisal rules, regulations governing verification of down payment funds and other requirements are identical no matter who is applying. That is not to say that FICO scores and other financial qualifications don’t change how an FHA mortgage loan is handled-in that area borrowers will find different requirements depending on whether the borrower is deemed a good credit | more...

Is U.S. Citizenship Required For An FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan?

November 13, 2017

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan Rules: Utilities

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan rules for One-Time Close / Single-Close construction loans include a set of requirements the finished property, which must meet both state/local building code and FHA loan minimum property standards. Those FHA standards include a set of requirements for access, utilities, and water quality which must be met as a condition of loan approval. It’s surprising to some FHA loan applicants that certain features of a new construction home are A) regulated and/or B) allow things like septic tanks or wells. But not all properties are the same, and some construction issues are present in some housing markets that aren’t a consideration elsewhere. Well water is a great example. When a resident of a large metropolitan areas thinks of a new construction home, it’s likely that issues surrounding wells | more...

November 10, 2017

What Is The Debt-To-Income Ratio For An FHA Loan?

By Joe Wallace

What is the debt-to- income ratio for an FHA loan? Simply put, it’s the amount of income you have compared to the amount of money you must pay each month on your financial obligations. The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is an important part of the lender’s calculations that determine whether or not you will be approved for the mortgage loan. Debt-To-Income Ratio Calculations For FHA Loans There are two kinds of debt-to-income ratio calculations. One is made with the borrower’s current income and debts, the other is made with those factors plus the amount of the projected monthly mortgage payment. If you aren’t sure whether you can afford a mortgage loan or not, the second ration will tell you what percentage of your pay will be taken up by your monthly | more...

November 8, 2017

FHA and HUD Announce Extended Foreclosure Relief For Hurricane Victims

By Joe Wallace

The FHA and HUD have announced extended foreclosure relief for victims of recent hurricanes. According to the FHA/HUD official site, those in federally declared disaster areas created by Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Harvey, and Hurricane Maria will have time added to the original 90-day foreclosure moratorium. According to the HUD press release, “FHA is extending this foreclosure relief in Presidentially declared counties and municipalities where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is operating its Individual Assistance Program.” “Under the expanded moratorium, FHA is instructing lenders and servicers to suspend all foreclosure actions against borrowers until the following dates: Hurricane Harvey – February 21, 2018 Hurricane Irma – March 9, 2018 Hurricane Maria – March 19, 2018” Who Qualifies For Extended Foreclosure Relief? According to HUD, those with FHA-insured mortgages qualify for | more...

Coronavirus And Home Loan Appraisals: What You Need To Know Now

October 30, 2017

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans

By Bruce Reichstein

There is still time to consider an FHA construction loan in 2017. Those who are more interested in having a brand-new home built especially for them rather than purchasing an existing construction home with an FHA mortgage will be pleasantly surprised at the options available to them. FHA construction loans are different than other types of FHA mortgages and can be a bit more complex, but thanks to the FHA One-Time Close construction loan this process isn’t as complicated as other types of construction loans. Why? A Single Application and Closing Date For FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans The FHA One-Time Close construction loan is referred to in the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, as a “construction-to-permanent” mortgage. Some construction loans require the borrower to qualify twice; once to pay | more...

October 26, 2017

What Are The Property Requirements For An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What are the property requirements for an FHA loan? There are standards listed in the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, that all buyers should know. The ability to purchase a home with an FHA mortgage is determined by your credit rating, debt to income ratio, employment, and related factors. But the ability to purchase a specific home will also include standards for the property itself; standards which must be met by the home as-is, or brought into compliance as a condition of loan approval. Basic FHA Loan Property Requirements: Location According to HUD 4000.1, the home must be located within the continental United States, its’ protectorates or territories. A home is eligible to be considered for an FHA loan if it is located in one of the following areas listed | more...

FHA One Time Close Construction Loan Option

October 23, 2017

FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan Requirements

By Bruce Reichstein

FHA One Time Close / Single Close construction loan requirements include different FICO score, escrow, and closing requirements than standard new purchase mortgages. Do you know how FHA One Time Close construction loans work? A Single Loan For The Entire Process Construction loans typically require two loans-one to purchase, and one to pay for the construction. Under the FHA One Time Close construction loan program, also known as an FHA construction-to-permanent mortgage, there is a single loan. This prevents the need for a borrower to be credit-qualified twice during the lending process. The procedure for an FHA One Time Close loan has the loan closing first, in order to pay for the land, followed by the construction phase. That means an escrow account is required in order to disburse funds | more...

October 20, 2017

How Many Times In My Life Can I Get An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

How many times in my life can I get an FHA loan? If you are buying your first home, this is a question you might not ask until later. But it’s a good idea to know what your options are should you need to sell your first home later and begin a new house hunt. Understanding FHA Loans Knowing that FHA home loans are intended for owner-occupiers who want to use their property as their home address and primary residence helps a lot when trying to understand FHA loan rules. If you don’t plan to use the property you want to buy as your home, you won’t be able to use an FHA single-family home loan to purchase it. There are certain exceptions for government agencies and non-profit groups, but | more...