Articles Tagged With: MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premiums)

December 4, 2014

FHA HECM Loan Changes: MIP

We have covered a great deal of information regarding the recent changes to the FHA’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. One crucial area borrowers should be aware of included in these changes? HECM MIP rules. The mortgage insurance premium rules for FHA HECM loans now reflects an MIP percentage that varies depending on how much the borrower’s initial disbursement amount is. FHA Mortgagee Letter 2014-21 states: “HUD charges an initial MIP of 0.50 percent (0.50%) of the Maximum Claim Amount (MCA) when the mortgagor’s Initial Disbursement Limit or the Borrower’s Advance is 60% or less of the Principal Limit. HUD charges an initial MIP of 2.50 percent (2.50%) of the MCA when a mortgagor’s Initial Disbursement Limit or the Borrower’s Advance is greater than 60% of the available Principal | more...

February 13, 2013

FHA HECM Loan Changes: When and How

By Joe Wallace

On January 30, FHA issued guidance about pending changes to the FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM loan program. The changes affect all FHA HECM loans for fixed rate mortgages with case numbers assigned on or April 1, 2013. According to the FHA official site, “To help sustain the HECM program as a viable financial resource for aging homeowners and to strengthen the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, the HECM Saver will be the only initial MIP option available to mortgagors who seek the predictability of a fixed interest rate mortgage and lower upfront closing costs.” This, according to FHA Mortgagee Letter 2013-01, requires the lender to “designate HECM Saver as the initial MIP and use the HECM Saver principal limit factors to determine the amount of funds available to | more...

August 15, 2011

FHA Streamline Refinance Rules for “Net Tangible Benefits”

By Joe Wallace

The FHA changed the rules on Streamline Refinancing Loans for all case numbers assigned on or after April 18, 2011. The new regulations now include a requirement that the lender must “determine that there is a Net Tangible Benefit (NTB) to the borrower as a result of the streamline refinance transaction”. Those tangible benefits include specific requirements based on the type of refinancing loan. For example, a fixed-rate loan that is refinanced to another fixed rate mortgage must have a five percent minimum reduction in the principal, interest and mortgage insurance payment, also described as PI & MIP. For FHA Streamline Loans which refinance fixed-rate mortgages to a One Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage, the requirements include a minimum two percent reduction in interest. Fixed rate FHA loans to Hybrid ARMs | more...