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Articles in Category: Taxes and Credits

FHA Loans And Multi-Unit Properties

FHA home loans are intended for owner-occupiers. The FHA loan occupancy requirement states that the borrower must begin using the home purchased with an FHA loan within a specified time after closing (usually within 60 days) and for a minimum of one year. But FHA loan rules also permit owner-occupiers to buy multi-unit properties. For multi-unit homes, the borrower must occupy at least one unit but is free to rent out the unused spaces in the home to others. FHA loan rules limit the number of units to four in these transactions. If a borrower intends to apply for an FHA loan for a home that has multiple units, it may be tempting to try to convince the lender to factor in any potential income from such rental as part | more...

 
Mortgage Loan Rate Trends

FHA Loans, Seller Concessions, and Cash To The Borrower

We recently got a question about an FHA loan situation where the seller of the home agreed to pay 3.5% of the closing costs on a transaction. According to the reader question, the “actual permitted seller concessions” were much lower. The reader asked, “Since FHA would not allow cash back”, the buyer asked the seller for the difference of the two amounts to be paid to the borrower, “outside of closing” The question the reader asks: Is this legal? FHA loans do not permit cash back to the borrower except in the form of refunds. However, HUD 4155.2 does include some guidelines for seller concessions, which are limited to six percent of the sales price. Those guidelines do permit “monetary gifts” as we’ll read in a moment. Chapter Four of | more...

 

The 2009 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit: A Reader Question

A reader asks, “Is the tax credit still available to 1st time new home buyers? If not, are there any other credits available that can help new home buyers? Will I be considered a new home buyer if I purchased a home just over 5 (2010) years and attempt to purchase a new one in 2015?” We can’t give out tax advice, as we aren’t tax professionals, so it would be necessary to contact the IRS directly to learn about any homebuyer-related tax credits that might be available for a given tax year. Tax law changes quite frequently and what was legal last year may not be allowed this year due to legislation, expiration of government programs, or other changes. That said, we can report that it appears that, based | more...

 

FHA Advice: Don’t Pay For Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling

There are many ads on television by private companies offering debt counseling services. But when it comes specifically to foreclosure avoidance, did you know you do not have to pay for counseling services? According to the FHA official site, “Foreclosure prevention counseling services are provided free of charge by nonprofit housing counseling agencies working in partnership with the Federal Government. These agencies are funded, in part, by HUD and NeighborWorks

 

The FHA Borrower’s Rights Under RESPA Part 2

In our last post we discussed FHA loans and the list of RESPA Borrower's Rights--a collection of rights FHA loan applicants need to know before applying for an FHA mortgage loan. The ten areas covered under RESPA Borrower's Rights include informed borrower requirements such as full disclosure of all non-refundable loan fees and other charges, disclosure as to the final cost of the loan and other important details.

 

FHA Borrower’s Rights Under RESPA

The FHA official site has a section called RESPA Borrower's Rights which informs borrowers of a list of things they should be aware of when shopping for an FHA mortgage loan. There are ten areas addressed by the Borrower's Rights section--some are common knowledge, while others imply obligations the lender has to the borrower to fulfill parts of RESPA law that pertain to full disclosure requirements.

 

Using the 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

First time home buyers purchasing a home with an FHA loan or going through a HUD-approved charitable agency can use their 2009 First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit to make their downpayment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced this new first-time homebuyer perk, which helps millions of FHA borrowers reduce the financial stress of making that first home purchase.

 

2009 Tax Credit and FHA Loan Down Payments Update

FHA borrowers were told they could use the loan as a down payment on their homes, but legal issues prevent banks from issuing down payment assistance on FHA mortgages. Since the initial May announcement, the rules have been revised so that such bridge loans are used within federal guidelines.

 

FHA Home Loan Numbers Increase in Spite of Housing Slump

While indicators show conventional lending markets are still feeling the effects of the housing slump the FHA has taken a larger role in helping consumers get affordable home loans. Some of the most recent developments are making those on the fence about buying a new home in this economy give FHA loans a second look.