Articles Tagged With: FHA Appraisal Rules

December 19, 2019

FHA Loans And Buy-To-Let Mortgages

What is a buy-to-let mortgage? These loans, popular in Britain and elsewhere, are basically designed for investment property buyers. They are similar in purpose (not in terms or conditions) to bank statement loans in that both are intended to help investors and small business people. FHA home loans do not include a buy-to-let loan, but those who want to be owner/occupiers can purchase a property with as many as four living units with an FHA mortgage. You can buy a multi-unit home with an FHA mortgage, live in one or more of the units, and rent out the unused units to other tenants. This is completely acceptable under the terms of the FHA Single-Family home loan program. The requirement is that you live in the property yourself. Buy-to-let loans that | more...

Buy or Build a House On Your Own Lot in 2020

November 26, 2019

Buy or Build A Home With An FHA Mortgage In 2020

By Bruce Reichstein

Are you thinking about becoming a homeowner in 2020? Some borrowers have an advantage when getting financially ready for their FHA loan application, while others may overlook important areas that need attention long before the loan paperwork is filled out. Preparing early is the key to the most seamless loan process possible. Are you ready to start exploring your options? Or are you just getting started with your credit reports, debt-to-income ratio, budgeting for the down payment and closing costs, etc.? Ask Yourself The Right Questions About Your FHA Home Loan How long have you been planning and preparing for the new loan? This is a very important question–without enough time to sort out potential problems on your credit report (identity theft, outdated information, incomplete or wrong details, etc) or | more...

November 7, 2019

FHA Loan Rules For Appraisals: Appliances, Mechanical Systems In The Home

By Joe Wallace

HUD 4000.1, the FHA Single-Family Loan Handbook, has a detailed section about FHA loan appraisal requirements. First-time home buyers may not realize that certain details of the home must meet FHA requirements such as the condition of appliances and the efficiency of the mechanical systems in the home such as central air conditioning or hot water heaters. HUD 4000.1 lists FHA requirements for appliances in the appraisal, stating that the FHA appraiser is required to review the home’s stove, fridge, washing machine, etc. if those appliances are being left in the home for the new owner. “Appliances that are to remain and that contribute to the market value opinion must be operational. ” This section is discussing appraisals for existing construction homes, but the intent is clear; the condition of | more...

November 4, 2019

FHA Loan Down Payment Rules

By Joe Wallace

Do you know what the rules are for down payments according to the FHA Lender’s Handbook? HUD 4000.1 states that the minimum required down payment allowed for FHA mortgages is 3.5% of the adjusted value of the home. The borrower must pay this independently of any other closing costs associated with the loan. The seller, lender, or any other party with a stake in the outcome of the transaction cannot provide down payment funds to the borrower. Sellers are permitted to contribute toward closing costs, but not the down payment. The down payment is part of the borrower’s cash requirement to close the loan. The lender is required to verify the sourcing of all down payment funds (including gift funds from other people) to insure the money does not come | more...

October 18, 2019

FHA Loans For Buying, Building, Or Assembling A Home

By Bruce Reichstein

Did you know that FHA home loans can help you buy an existing home as a first-time home buyer, but can also help a first-timer or experienced homeowner have a house built for them from the ground up on your own lot or a lot you purchase in connection with the mortgage. It’s also possible to have a manufactured home assembled for you on a lot you purchase or already own. These loans, especially the FHA One-Time Close mortgage for building a home from the ground up, are offered to both experienced borrowers and first time home buyers alike with no difference in the basic terms and conditions. That means that a first-time borrower is not penalized for being a first-timer; there are no elevated down payment requirements, no added | more...

October 8, 2019

FHA Refinance Options And Low Interest Rates

By Bruce Reichstein

At the time of this writing, some market watchers are noting that mortgage rates have moved lower each week for three consecutive weeks. That puts FHA mortgage loan interest rates for purchase loans at a best-execution 3.375% for the most financially qualified borrowers. And while many fully anticipate a slowdown or correction in rates any time now, the refinance loan trends lately show many are willing to take full advantage of a time when home prices are on the rise and mortgage rates are falling. And who can blame a home owner for being tempted to cash in with a refinance loan to get into that lower rate, to pull rising value out of the home in cash, or repair and renovate a property? FHA refinance loan options are available | more...

August 26, 2019

FHA Loan Appraisals: Different Rules For Different Homes

By Bruce Reichstein

FHA loan appraisals have different standards depending on the type of property you wish to buy. That doesn’t mean that some homes get favorable treatment in the appraisal process than others. What it does mean is that some properties have unique issues. For example, an appraisal for an FHA condo won’t be the same as for a manufactured home. One reason? Manufactured homes do not start off with permanent foundations, and having one is a requirement. A condo unit does not face such problems, so there is a specific appraisal requirement for manufactured housing that such homes be affixed to a permanent foundation that meets FHA and federal standards. A condo unit is already on a foundation, so the requirements there have more to do with the state of the | more...

July 18, 2019

Will FHA Mortgage Loan Interest Rates Drop Even More?

By Joe Wallace

Mortgage loan rates have been reported at historic lows in recent times and many are wondering if now is the right time to buy or refinance a home, or if it’s better to wait to see if rates sink even lower. Should you wait to refinance? Is it better to hold off on buying? There is no good answer to these questions for one reason-all home loan transactions are different, not all get offered the same interest rates, and your experience may vary. First-time home buyers should know that when you are looking for a new home to purchase with an FHA mortgage, the interest rates you see today may not be the same tomorrow, or the next day. If you are house hunting and have not found a home | more...

July 1, 2019

FHA Home Loan Questions: Appraisals

By Joe Wallace

Do you have questions about the FHA appraisal process? Many do and it’s no surprise why-the appraisal is the process that determines whether the home you want to buy meets minimum FHA standards or not. Here are some common appraisal questions and answers you should know before you get to that part of the home loan process. Whether you are a first-time home buyer applying for your first FHA mortgage or an experienced house hunter returning to the FHA loan program to buy a new primary residence, these questions are important. Who Is Responsible For Ordering The FHA Appraisal? The lender. The borrower does not initiate the appraisal process or select the appraiser. Who Pays For The Appraisal? The borrower is responsible for paying the cost of the FHA appraisal | more...

June 24, 2019

FHA Appraisal Standards: What You Need To Know

By Bruce Reichstein

A recent press release by HUD applauds new lead paint hazard requirements issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those standards include a more strict requirement for lead levels in certain homes and “child-occupied facilities”. According to a press release on the HUD official site, “Since the 1970s, the United States has made tremendous progress in lowering children’s blood lead levels. In 2001, EPA set standards for lead in dust for floors and windowsills in housing, however since that time, the best available science has evolved to indicate human health effects at lower blood lead levels than previously analyzed.” The new rules don’t necessarily affect FHA appraisal guidelines with specific changes-FHA loan rules address lead paint issues, generally requiring abatement of lead-based paint in homes older than 1978 where there is | more...