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Articles Tagged With: FHA Cash-out Refinance

FHA refinance loans: Questions To Ask

When Can I Refinance An FHA Loan?

When can I refinance an FHA loan? That is a common question and one that is addressed in the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1. There are rules that govern how and when you can refinance your home loan and those rules will vary depending on the type of refinance loan you seek. Most FHA home loans, including refinance loans and even reverse mortgages, require occupancy as a condition of loan approval. In the case of FHA Cash-Out Refinance loans, occupancy is necessary for at least one year before the new loan. From HUD 4000.1: “Cash-out refinance transactions are only permitted on owner-occupied Principal Residences. The Property securing the cash-out refinance must have been owned and occupied by the Borrower as their Principal Residence for the 12 months prior to the | more...

 
FHA Home Loan Questions

Refinancing Questions To Ask Before You Apply

Are you looking for a refinance loan? Refinancing your home loan can be a smart move for some homeowners, especially in times of falling rates. A 2024 Fed rate cut of half a percent means mortgage loan rates may soon begin coming back down to earth, however gradually that process may be. Potentially lower rates mean more borrowing options, especially in expensive housing markets like New York, California, and Washington, D.C. Smaller housing markets may also benefit. More affordable loans, rising property values (depending on the market), and the ability to pull more cash out of the home in a refi loan situation make applying more attractive. Is your long-term home loan goal to save more money over the term of the mortgage? Or do you need lower mortgage payments | more...

 
FHA loans

Need An FHA Refinance Loan?

What do you need to know about FHA refinance loans? If you are considering your options and aren’t sure about some aspects of the FHA refinance process, you may find some answers to your questions below. FHA Refinance Loan FICO Score Requirements FHA refinance loans typically require credit checks and appraisals. There is one exception. There is no FHA requirement for either when you are applying for an FHA Streamline Refinance mortgage. If you need to refinance but worry about your ability to qualify for an FHA mortgage due to credit issues or other problems? Contact the FHA directly at 1-800 CALL FHA. Request a referral to a local, HUD-approved housing counselor who can assist you with planning, budgeting, and other important credit application issues ahead of any purchase or | more...

 
FHA mortgages and refinance loans

Repair Your Credit Before Your Home Loan

Interested in applying for an FHA mortgage or a refinance loan? It’s not as easy as finding a lender and applying; you will need plenty of time to save for the expenses of the loan including the down payment and closing costs. But you also need more time in another way; taking a preliminary step as early as possible in your loan process can make the difference between loan approval and rejection. What is that preliminary step? Reviewing your credit report for errors and identity theft evidence. It’s also about working on raising your FICO scores based on the results of your credit report review. All Americans are entitled to a free copy of their credit report once per year, so there is no cost to obtain one. You can | more...

 
FHA refinance loans: Questions To Ask

The Credit Check For FHA Cash-Out Refinances

Is the credit check for an FHA cash-out refinance loan the same as for a new purchase home loan? Borrowers want to know how their credit will meet lender standards when applying for a refinance loan. Some make the same common mistakes in the months leading up to a refi loan application that others do when applying for a new purchase home loan. What can you do to increase your chances at refinance loan approval? Treat An FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan The Same As Your Original Mortgage FHA cash-out refi loans require a new credit check and a new appraisal. The new appraisal ensures you are getting the value of your home that market values currently reflect. When rising property values may increase your potential cash out, the appraisal ensures | more...

 
FHA

FHA Refinance Loan Basics For New Borrowers

An FHA refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new one. It is sometimes used to obtain a loan with more favorable terms or get cash out at closing time but an FHA refi loan can also be done to exit a conventional loan or an adjustable-rate mortgage.  Borrowers are commonly motivated to refinance to get a lower interest rate, to shorten their loan term, or tap into their home equity. The FHA offers several refinance programs tailored to different needs. Which one is right for you? FHA Rehabilitation Refinancing The FHA 203(k) rehab refinance loan program enables you to borrow extra funds for home renovations or repairs. This can help if you want to refinance and upgrade your home simultaneously. You can refinance a conventional loan or an existing FHA | more...

 
Rehab Refinance Loans, reverse mortgages

Pros and Cons of Refinancing Versus Reverse Mortgages

As we age, sound financial decisions become increasingly crucial. For many seniors, leveraging home equity is a key consideration, and there are two important options to know in this area. Two FHA loan products can help you access home equity. One has an age requirement (the reverse mortgage) and one does not (refinancing.) Those two options are FHA reverse mortgages and FHA refinancing. Each option has its pros and cons, which is vital for making an informed decision. Reverse mortgages offer seniors a way to boost monthly cash flow. They eliminate required monthly payments, providing significant financial flexibility. Additionally, they offer lump-sum payouts, which can help cover home repairs, medical expenses, or other significant costs. However, reverse mortgages have drawbacks. The most notable is the gradual depletion of home equity. | more...

 
FHA Options

Refinancing A Conventional Loan To FHA

Do you need to refinance out of an adjustable-rate conventional loan? Do you want a potentially lower mortgage rate? Do you need to take equity out of your home in cash? Refinancing from a conventional mortgage to an FHA loan can offer several advantages for borrowers with such financial needs and goals.  The advantages include the possibility of qualifying for lower interest rates than some conventional loans and getting a more predictable mortgage when refinancing out of a traditional or FHA ARM into an FHA fixed-rate loan.  You can also use an FHA cash-out refi for debt consolidation or tap into your house’s equity. Qualifying For An FHA Refinance Loan To be eligible for an FHA refinance loan, there are requirements similar to some purchase loans: Costs Associated with FHA | more...

 
Buying A Home with an FHA Loan

What You Can Do With Your FHA Home Loan

Borrowers sometimes assume things about home loan programs that aren’t entirely accurate. In the same way some assume that FHA single-family home loans can be used to buy an investment property (they cannot) or that the FHA loan program requires you to be a first-time home buyer, there are flawed assumptions about the kinds of home you can buy with an FHA mortgage and the acceptable uses of these home loans. FHA Loans To Build A Home The FHA One-Time Close construction loan is what borrowers choose when they want to build a home from the ground up. These FHA mortgages also allow land purchase with the loan if you don’t already have it to build on. FHA Loans Can Be Used To Install A Home FHA loans can be | more...

 
FHA Rehab Loans

Need To Remodel Your Home?

What kind of FHA loan product is right for your home repair projects? Some people want to fund a remodeling or renovation project using a credit card, but what happens when you compare interest rates on your credit card to the rates you might be charged for an FHA refinance or an FHA 203(k) Rehab loan? Some people put these repair expenses on their credit cards because they are unable to build equity in their homes for a HELOC or a cash-out refinance. But for those who can refinance to pay for the work, the savings could be a major factor in their choices. Remodeling With An FHA Cash-Out Refinance The cash-out refinance option requires sufficient equity—20% or more, depending on the lender—to be approved.  But the tradeoff is that | more...