Articles in Category: FHA Guidelines

August 14, 2017

Who Decides FHA Loan Interest Rates?

Who sets FHA loan interest rates? The answer to that question involves several factors-many potential FHA borrowers asking this question really want to know more than who the regulatory body is for FHA loan interest rates-they also want to know how rates are affected by other factors such as FICO scores and credit history. So who DOES set FHA mortgage loan interest rates? According to the FHA/HUD official site, in general interest rates are set by the Federal Reserve Board. Furthermore, “HUD does not regulate the interest rate or the discount points that may be paid by you or the seller or other third party.” The official site adds, “You should shop around to be sure you are satisfied with the loan terms offered and with the service reputation of | more...

August 10, 2017

What Is An FHA Appraisal?

By Joe Wallace

What is an FHA appraisal? It’s one of the most important parts of your home loan process when purchasing property with an FHA mortgage. The appraisal is a mandatory review of the property to help the lender establish the fair market value of the home while making sure the property meets minimum FHA requirements. But there’s more to the appraisal, as we’ll learn. The FHA Appraisal Is A Tool For Your Loan Officer Appraisals are not intended to help or inform the buyer as to the condition of the property. Some mistake the FHA appraisal for a home inspection, assuming that the FHA will “approve” or “reject” a home based on its’ condition. The appraisal process is NOT a home inspection. Borrowers who choose not to pay for a home | more...

August 8, 2017

How Soon Can I Sell My Home? FHA Loan Rules Part Two

By Bruce Reichstein

How soon can I sell my home? In our previous blog post on this subject, we examined the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, and what it has to say about how quickly you can sell a property purchased with an FHA mortgage once the loan has closed. In general, FHA loan rules don’t have much to say about what the owner of record does with the property (with regard to selling it) once it has been purchased and occupied as per FHA loan requirements. The spirit of the FHA loan rules seems to be that the owner should be free to sell without restriction. But FHA loan rules do have something to say about buying a home shortly after it has been purchased from another. There are restrictions on “flipping”, | more...

August 8, 2017

How Soon Can I Sell My Home After My FHA Loan Closes?

By Joe Wallace

How soon can a borrower sell the home purchased with an FHA mortgage loan? The answer depends greatly on circumstances, but there are a few things to keep in mind. FHA home loans are intended for owner-occupiers, not investment property, so borrowers will need to keep that in mind when learning about the requirements and restrictions on an FHA mortgage in this area. In general, the FHA loan rules in this area are directed at the buyer’s side of the transaction. Owners are not prevented from offering property for sale, and FHA loan rules generally favor a home owner’s ability to freely sell property without restriction. But if you want to sell your property to someone looking to buy with certain types of mortgage loans backed by the government (like | more...

July 27, 2017

Where Do You Get An FHA Construction Loan?

By Joe Wallace

Where do you get an FHA construction loan? Borrowers who don’t want to purchase an existing construction property (one that has been previously owned) or a new construction home (one that is brand new and has not been owned or occupied previously) will definitely be interested in learning where to get an FHA construction loan to buy a single family home. The short answer is that an FHA construction loan is definitely possible under FHA loan program guidelines, but you will need to find a participating FHA lender willing to issue you the loan. Not all FHA lenders offer construction loans so you’ll have to shop around if your first choice in a financial institution doesn’t offer this type of FHA mortgage. There are two kinds of FHA construction loans. | more...

July 26, 2017

What Is An FHA Loan Modification?

By Joe Wallace

What Is An FHA Loan Modification? According to the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, such modifications are part of a loss-mitigation program from the FHA and HUD designed to help FHA borrowers avoid foreclosure and keep their homes. HUD 4000.1 states that FHA loan modification is available through a program called FHA-HAMP, or the FHA Home Affordable Modification Program. “The use of an FHA-HAMP Option is to both alleviate the Borrower’s burden of immediate repayment of arrears and to adjust monthly payments to a level sustainable by the household’s current income. The FHA-HAMP Option may or may not include a Partial Claim.” A “partial claim” is defined in the FHA loan rules as follows: “The total amount available is the lesser of: (1) the unpaid principal balance as of the | more...

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

July 26, 2017

What Am I Allowed To Rehab With An FHA 203(k) Mortgage?

By Bruce Reichstein

In our last blog post, we discussed what is permitted under the FHA 203(k) rehab mortgage loan. Borrowers are allowed to apply for a new purchase loan or an FHA refinance loan under the 203(k) program, which the FHA loan handbook describes as being used to do the following: – rehabilitate an existing one- to four-unit Structure, which will be used primarily for residential purposes; – rehabilitate such a Structure and refinance outstanding indebtedness on the Structure and the Real Property on which the Structure is located; or – purchase and rehabilitate a Structure and purchase the Real Property on which the Structure is located. According to HUD 4000.1, “Structure” is defined as, “a building that has a roof and walls, and stands permanently in one place that contains single | more...

July 25, 2017

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

By Bruce Reichstein

An FHA 203(k) mortgage is basically a rehab loan, which can be used as a new purchase loan or a refinance loan for the purpose of repairing/rehabbing an eligible property. The FHA single family home loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, has a list of requirements and guidelines for FHA 203(k) loans, which includes a set of allowable improvements as well as a list of things FHA loan money cannot be used for. Let’s examine what is permitted with an FHA 203(k) loan first. Borrowers who are approved for an FHA rehab loan may use the loan for any of the following projects acceptable to the lender: – costs of construction, repairs and rehabilitation; – architectural/engineering professional fees; – the 203(k) Consultant fee subject to the limits in the 203(k) Consultant Fee | more...

July 19, 2017

Who Can Refinance An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

Who can refinance an FHA loan? There are rules and requirements for refinancing an FHA mortgage loan that include prohibitions to ensure fair lending, but also restrictions on who may refinance depending on the status of the applicant as a borrower or co-borrower on the original loan. The rules that govern who can refinance an FHA loan, and how it may be done, are found in the FHA handbook, HUD 4000.1. There, we learn: “A party who has a financial interest in the mortgage transaction, such as the seller, builder or real estate agent, may not be a co-Borrower or a Cosigner. Exceptions may be granted when the party with the financial interest is a Family Member.” Furthermore: “To be eligible, all occupying and non-occupying Borrowers and co-Borrowers must take | more...

July 18, 2017

How Do You Refinance An FHA Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

How do you refinance an FHA loan? There are some important questions to answer before getting to the actual application process-questions that can help you narrow down the right kind of FHA mortgage refinance loan for you. Examining Your Financial Goals and Needs FHA refinance loans come in a variety of types designed to fit different financial needs. Are you looking for a refinance loan that will lower your monthly mortgage payments? Do you need to take cash back on the refinance loan transaction? Depending on circumstances, those two issues may or may not be mutually exclusive. FHA refinance loans do offer the ability to get into a lower payment or interest rate, but getting cash back likely involves a different kind of FHA refinance loan. Deciding what result you | more...