Articles Published in: July 2017

Credit Scores For An FHA Home Loan: When Low Credit Is Not Bad Credit

July 5, 2017

Who Are FHA Loans Good For? Part Two

Who are FHA loans good for? We’re examining this issue to help clear up some myths and misconceptions about the FHA loan program including the notion that FHA loans are only intended for first-time home buyers (FHA loans are available to all financially qualified borrowers) and the idea that FHA mortgages have an income limit that prevents those with greater incomes from applying (not true). Who Are FHA Loans Good For? FHA loans are good for both first time buyers and those who have returned to house-hunting after owning property. For second-time house hunters (and beyond) the most important thing to remember is that FHA loans have an occupancy requirement and you can only purchase a primary residence with an FHA loan. No timeshares, vacation homes, or other “occasional occupancy” | more...

July 5, 2017

Who Are FHA Loans Good For?

By Bruce Reichstein

Who are FHA loans good for? It’s an excellent question and the answer might surprise you. FHA mortgages are often thought of as “helper loans” due to a misconception that FHA mortgages are specifically for first time home buyers, economically disadvantaged people, or new families. What’s the truth? FHA Loans Are Available To All Financially Qualified Applicants There is no minimum income limit OR “maximum income” cutoff for FHA home loans. A borrower cannot earn “too much money” and be disqualified as a result. FHA home loans are for anyone who meets the minimum FICO score requirements, has a reliable payment history on all financial obligations, and can show that their employment is stable and likely to continue. FHA Loans Are For All Types Of Borrowers Some mistakenly believe that | more...

July 4, 2017

Happy Independence Day!

By Joe Wallace

Today we pause from our usual schedule of writing about all things related to FHA home loans and refinance loans. We celebrate the 4th of July holiday with you today and will return tomorrow with our regular schedule of news and information about FHA mortgage loans. Have a safe and fun holiday, and thank you for reading!

July 3, 2017

What Is An FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan? Part Two

By Joe Wallace

What is an FHA cash-out refinance loan? These types of loans are designed to help the borrower draw equity out of the property being refinanced. Once the original loan is paid off, and the new loan’s fees are covered, the remaining cash comes back to the borrower for any purpose acceptable to the lender. Cash Back, LTV Limits FHA cash-out refinance loans are different than FHA Streamline Refinance loans, which are restricted to FHA-to-FHA transactions and don’t allow any cash back except refunds. FHA cash-out refi loans are “appraisal required” and feature an LTV limit. That limit is 85% of the adjusted value of the home. There is also a mortgage limit found in the cash-out refi rules in HUD 4000.1: “The combined mortgage amount of the first Mortgage and | more...

July 3, 2017

What Is An FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What is an FHA cash-out refinance loan? Simply put, FHA cash-out refinancing lets a borrower pay off the original mortgage and use the cash left over for any purpose acceptable to the lender. The new mortgage will be a standard term (15 or 30 years) and FHA cash-out refinance loans can refinance FHA-to-FHA, conventional-to-FHA, or any other non-FHA mortgage acceptable to the lender. The definition of an FHA cash-out refinance loan as found in the FHA single family mortgage loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, states that cash-out refinancing can also be used to take equity out of the home where no mortgage currently exists. According to page 406 of HUD 4000.1: “A Cash-Out Refinance is a refinance of any Mortgage or a withdrawal of equity where no Mortgage currently exists, in | more...