Articles Published in: June 2017

Do I Have To Make A Down Payment On An FHA Mortgage?

June 30, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Down Payment?

What is an FHA loan down payment? Most people in the house hunting process are familiar or will become familiar with down payments-the money required from the borrower up front which is paid against the principal of the loan. There’s a long-standing notion about the nature of down payments; if a borrower invests a large an amount money up front, they have a bigger stake in making on-time payments and remaining in good standing on the mortgage loan. But that idea isn’t addressed in the FHA loan rulebook. What is discussed is the nature of the minimum required cash investment or down payment on an FHA mortgage. All FHA loans for new purchases will require a minimum FHA loan down payment of 3.5% of the adjusted value of the home. | more...

June 29, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Appraisal?

By Bruce Reichstein

What is an FHA appraisal? Simply put, it’s a tool used by the lender to make sure the property to be purchased with an FHA mortgage meets minimum standards. It’s also used by the lender to establish the fair market value of the property for the purpose of setting the proper FHA loan amount. FHA appraisals require a trained, impartial professional who is approved by the FHA. The lender and the appraiser do not “work together” in such a way that puts the appraiser in a compromising position by the lender. Instead, the appraiser is selected, she does her work and submits reports that detail the results of the appraisal. How do FHA loan appraisals work? The appraiser must visually inspect the property, noting any defective conditions, building code issues | more...

June 29, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Inspection?

By Joe Wallace

What is an FHA loan inspection? That is a tricky question to answer because the very phrase “FHA home inspection” implies something that is not true; that the FHA puts a stamp of approval on homes promising the borrower that they are defect-free once “inspected”. There is no such thing as an FHA home inspection. There IS, however, an FHA home APPRAISAL. But borrowers tend to mistakenly assume that the appraisal process is the same thing as a home inspection. These two things could not be further apart. Home Inspections Are Optional, But Very Necessary A home inspection (not an FHA appraisal) is an optional process the borrower is responsible for arranging and paying for and is not associated with the FHA appraisal in any way. The inspection should be | more...

Who can apply for FHA Reverse Mortgages?

June 28, 2017

When Is An FHA Loan Assumable?

By Bruce Reichstein

When is an FHA loan assumable? Let’s start by examining what the FHA single family home loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, defines as a loan assumption. “Assumption refers to the transfer of an existing mortgage obligation from an existing Borrower to the assuming Borrower.” An FHA loan assumption is generally possible-for most FHA loans closed today, the lender’s participation and approval will be required in order to carry out a loan assumption transaction. There are also occupancy requirements which may apply depending on what year the original mortgage was closed in. From HUD 4000.1: “If the original Mortgage was closed on or after December 15, 1989, the assuming Borrower must intend to occupy the Property as a Principal Residence or HUD-approved Secondary Residence. If the original Mortgage was closed prior to | more...

June 28, 2017

What Are My Restrictions On FHA Loan Assumptions?

By Joe Wallace

Restrictions on FHA loan assumptions aren’t terribly complicated, but if you are interested in assuming an FHA loan there are some things to keep in mind, starting with a requirement that the lender participates in the process. Most FHA mortgage loans closed in recent years will require the lender’s approval and participation in order to successfully assume an FHA loan. But there are other considerations, too. For example, a home purchased with an FHA mortgage on what the FHA handbook describes as “Indian Land” requires the approval of the local tribal authority. According to HUD 4000.1: “The Mortgagee cannot approve an assumption of a Mortgage secured by a Property located on an Indian Land/reservation unless the Indian Tribe has approved the assumption or sale of the rights to the Property | more...

What Can I Rehab With An FHA 203(k) Mortgage?

June 27, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Rate? FHA ARM Loans and Fixed Rate FHA Mortgages

By Bruce Reichstein

What is an FHA loan rate? We discussed this question in our last blog post-that the FHA and HUD do not set or regulate interest rates on FHA mortgages, the ability of the borrower to buy discount points in order to lower the FHA loan rate up front, and how a borrower’s FICO scores can affect the kind of mortgage rates offered by the lender. But there is still an important issue to cover-the difference between how fixed rate FHA mortgages work and how FHA adjustable rate mortgage loans (ARM loans) work. What are the primary differences between an FHA fixed-rate loan and an FHA ARM loan? FHA Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans FHA fixed rate mortgages feature one interest rate, negotiated up front between the borrower and lender. Once the | more...

June 27, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Rate?

By Joe Wallace

What Is An FHA Loan Rate? Simply put, the FHA loan rate is the interest rate charged on your 15 or 30-year FHA mortgage. There are some facts you should know about FHA loan rates that will make understanding them much easier. FHA Loan Rates Are Set By The Lender Technically speaking, the mortgage loan interest rate on your loan is something you negotiate with your loan officer. Your access to the most competitive FHA loan rates will be determined by your FICO scores and other financial qualifications, but beyond that you may have the option to buy down interest rates using discount points, which is something you and the lender should discuss as early as possible in the loan process. We’ll come back to discount points in a moment, | more...

What Is The FHA One-Time Close Program? Part Two

June 26, 2017

What Is The FHA One-Time Close Construction Program? Part Two

By Bruce Reichstein

What is the FHA One-Time Close / Single-Close Construction Program? In our previous blog post, we discussed the basics of this FHA construction loan program-what it means to the borrower seeking an FHA new construction loan and how having a single loan (instead of two loans as with typical construction loan situations) can be an advantage for the borrower. FHA One-Time Close mortgages are for those who want an FHA construction loan for a property that has yet to be built. They can be more complex than typical new purchase FHA loans, but for those who need a construction loan, One-Time Close has definite advantages. They include a single closing date, and an early mortgage loan interest rate lock that can potentially safeguard the borrower against rising mortgage rates should | more...

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

June 26, 2017

What Is The FHA One-Time Close Construction Program? Part One

By Bruce Reichstein

What is the FHA One-Time Close / Single-close construction program? Who is it meant for? These are questions with important answers for potential FHA borrowers who are interested in applying for an FHA mortgage to have property built for them instead of buying an existing construction property. One-Time close mortgages are construction loans that differ from standard construction loans in that there is a single closing date for the loan rather than the traditional two closing dates. The borrower saves money on a one-time close loan thanks to the single loan for construction costs, land purchase, and the typical expenses associated with a home loan. These savings work in ways you might not expect. One advantage of this type of construction loan is that the lender and borrower arrive at | more...

June 23, 2017

What Is An FHA Refinance Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What is an FHA refinance loan? Do you know all your refinance options under the FHA loan program? There’s more than one way to refinance a home and the refi option you choose depends a lot on your financial needs and goals. You may find that refinancing into an FHA mortgage brings a lower interest rate, lower monthly payments, or cash back to you depending on the transaction. FHA Refinance Loan Basics FHA refinance loans are loans for those who own an existing property and want to take out a new loan that is secured by that property. Whether you have a home purchased with a conventional mortgage, VA, FHA, USDA, or other non-FHA mortgage, your FHA refinance loan options will include cash-back-to-the-borrower type refinance loans or no-cash-out FHA refinancing. | more...