Articles by: Joe Wallace

January 24, 2020

Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.

Connect with Joe:

January 24, 2020

Need A Home Loan? Beware Of Escrow Fraud

By Joe Wallace

There are common home loan scams that affect house hunters, even those applying for FHA home loans. One such scam–one you might actually encounter in your home buying journey–is called escrow fraud and it can affect even the most experienced homeowner if they are caught at just the wrong moment. Home Loan Scams Can Affect Any Type Of Mortgage Escrow scams are not associated with FHA mortgages alone, any type of home purchased with any type of home loan could be targeted. An important sense of any successful scam is creating a sense of urgency or emergency or a feeling that a big discount might be missed if you stop to consider the options. The scammer wants you to be in a hurry, not thinking critically, and ready to invest | more...

January 22, 2020

Closing Day On Your FHA Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

What do you need to know about closing day for your FHA home loan? There is plenty of advice out there including the idea that you should not schedule loan closing AND moving trucks on the same day. But why? Because there are some variables that could delay your closing day, and you don’t want to get stuck juggling TWO rescheduling needs instead of just one (to say the least). Closing Day Delays Your closing day could be rescheduled for any number of reasons–there could be an issue with the title, your appraisal could come in too low, you may pay for the home inspection only to find that there are problems with the home not covered by the appraisal. Some issues are merely delays. Others could develop into a | more...

January 21, 2020

Rent Or Buy?

By Joe Wallace

For some, buying is better. Why? Much depends on your financial goals but you should also take into consideration aesthetics and practical concerns, too. One argument in favor of buying or building (on your own lot) a home with an FHA mortgage? The ability to modify your property without having to go running to the landlord to ask permission is a big one. But some renters don’t realize that you can, when you own your home, also apply for a refinance loan to repair or modify your property. That is not something you can do with a rental unit. You’re basically at the mercy of the landlord in such cases. Another argument in favor of buying a home with an FHA mortgage instead of renting? The ability to purchase a | more...

Buying A Home With An FHA Loan: Should You Skip The Home Appraisal?

January 16, 2020

Do You Need To Apply For An FHA Mortgage?

By Joe Wallace

Do you need to apply for a home loan to buy real estate in 2020? FHA mortgages feature a low minimum down payment, allow seller contributions to closing costs, and even permit down payment assistance from approved sources. What does it take to apply for an FHA mortgage? You will need proof of income, tax records, and bank statements. Borrowers also need to have a credit history of some kind, even if non-traditional. FHA loan rules allow non-traditional credit, but lender standards will be very important. FHA Loan Approval Requirements FICO scores between 500 and 579 for a 10% down payment, or FICO scores at 580 or higher for the lowest down payment of 3.5%. You will also need 24 months of employment history as a general rule, and you | more...

January 14, 2020

How To Get Ready For Your Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

Need to know how to get ready for an FHA home loan in 2020? There’s plenty of good advice out there, but what about from watchdog agencies like the Federal Trade Commission? Or USA.Gov? Starting early to plan your loan is the best advice, but what happens next? Reviewing your credit, saving up for your expenses for the loan, and learning your options are very important. FTC Credit Advice The FTC has a lot of consumer credit advice, some of which can apply to home loan transactions as well as other types of credit. The FTC official site warns consumers that when trying to get ready for your home loan. it’s best to review your credit reports BUT do not be taken in by third party credit repair agencies that | more...

January 10, 2020

FHA Loans And Your Credit Report

By Joe Wallace

Do you need to fix your credit? Do you need to fix your credit REPORT? Some of our most popular articles here involve what to do about bad credit issues ahead of a home loan application. The usual advice about paying on time and making sure you cut your outgoing debt as much as possible always apply, but there is an equally important step in getting your credit ready for a new loan; checking your credit report for accuracy. How To Get Your Free Credit Report From A Government-Approved Source To order the free credit report you are entitled to by law, visit annualcreditreport.com. You can also call 1-877-322-8228 or download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it in: Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA | more...

January 8, 2020

Do You Want To Buy A House This Year?

By Joe Wallace

Do you want to buy a house this year? There are things you should do to prepare for the loan, and it’s a very good idea to give yourself extra time to get it all done. It’s best to come to the application process with the following steps already accomplished. Check Your Credit Report Get a free copy of your credit reports and start reviewing your FICO scores and details to make sure there are no errors, identity theft, outdated information, etc. You are legally entitled to a free credit report. Use A Mortgage Calculator Using an online mortgage calculator will give you a much better idea of how much home loan you can afford. The online calculator will ask you for the price of the house, the interest rate, | more...

January 6, 2020

FHA Rate And Term Refinance Loans

By Joe Wallace

There are different refinance loans for different needs, and the FHA rate and term refinance option is available to help borrowers who aren’t looking for cash out at closing time. The financial website Investopedia defines a rate-and-term refi loan as follows: “The potential benefits of rate-and-term refinancing include securing a lower interest rate and a more favorable term on the mortgage, but the same principal balance will remain. Such refinancing could lower the homeowner’s monthly payments, or potentially set a new schedule to pay off the mortgage more quickly.” The FHA Rate and Term refinance loan has different features and requirements than FHA cash-out refinancing or reverse mortgages. The rules that cover FHA rate and term refinancing are found in the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, and explains how this | more...

January 2, 2020

How To Buy A Home In 2020

By Joe Wallace

Need to know how to buy a home in 2020? Making a plan to become a home owner includes budgeting, research, and even sharpening your negotiating skills. Are you ready to start your home loan journey? Shopping Around For A Home AND A Home Loan FHA mortgages allow first-time borrowers and experienced home owners alike to apply for a loan to buy or build a property. But you don’t have to limit your search to one kind of home OR one kind of FHA mortgage. For example, you could apply for an FHA Condo loan to purchase a condominium unit, or you could buy a mobile home or townhouse. FHA mortgage loans allow you to buy properties with as many as four living units, and that could be any number | more...

FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loans: Common Questions

December 30, 2019

Where To Find An FHA Home Loan

By Joe Wallace

Where do you get an FHA home loan? The simplest answer is that you get one from a participating FHA lender. Not all banks or financial institutions support FHA home loans, and those that choose to do so must be vetted and approved by the government first. FHA Loans Are Offered By Participating Lenders As mentioned above, not all lenders participate in the FHA loan program–but did you know some are not permitted to participate, and some may not be certified by the FHA yet? Your search for a lender may seem daunting, but you can be matched with a participating lender online and do the initial loan screening online, too. You’ll need a variety of information including your estimated budget for the purchase, the desired term of the loan | more...