Articles Tagged With: FHA Reverse Mortgage

December 18, 2017

FHA Announces Reverse Mortgage Loan Limits For 2018

The FHA has announced reverse mortgage loan limits for 2018. The agency recently posted the forward mortgage loan limits for 2018, and the update for FHA reverse mortgages comes as no surprise given the overall increases posted for next year’s loan limits by county for new purchase loans. The FHA reverse mortgage is also known as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM for short. According to the FHA official site, the maximum “claim amount limits for Traditional HECM, HECM for Purchase, and HECM-to-HECM refinances are governed by the maximum claim amount limitation” are found in sections 25 5(g) and 255(m) of the National Housing Act. “FHA publishes updated limits effective for each calendar year” according to the most recent mortgagee letter at FHA.gov. The new limits are, according FHA | more...

August 28, 2017

HUD Issues Announcement On HECM Loan Policy Changes

By Joe Wallace

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a mortgagee letter detailing changes to the FHA loan HECM program (also known as FHA Reverse Mortgage program) effective for all case numbers assigned on or after September 19, 2017. According to Mortgagee Letter 2017-11, the changes affect how participating lenders proceed in cases where there has been a loan default for “unpaid property charges” and the sale of property secured by an FHA HECM that has been declared due and payable. According to the FHA/HUD official site, for cases where unpaid property charges cause a HECM loan to go into default, new guidance to lenders includes the following: “If a Borrower is unable or unwilling to repay the Mortgagee for any Mortgagee funds advanced to pay property charges, the Mortgagee | more...

August 17, 2017

What Kind Of FHA Loans Are Available?

By Bruce Reichstein

What kind of FHA loans are available? This is an important question because it’s good to know what is not possible with an FHA mortgage as well as the options available to you. For example, some ask if an FHA loan can be used like a personal loan-is it possible to buy a home with an FHA mortgage but apply for more money than you need to complete the transaction? The answer in this case would be no, because FHA loan rules do not permit cash back to the borrower in that way at closing time, refunds excepted. So what can you do with an FHA mortgage loan? FHA Loans For Single Family Residences FHA home loans are intended for owner-occupiers. That means if you buy a property with an | more...

July 10, 2017

When Is An FHA Loan A Good Idea?

By Bruce Reichstein

When is an FHA loan a good idea? The answer depends on what you’re looking for from a home loan. Some borrowers are exactly right for an FHA mortgage, others may need another alternative. Is an FHA loan right for you? FHA Loan Occupancy Requirements Most FHA single family home loans require occupancy. The lender will ask you to certify in writing that you intend to occupy the property as your primary residence and not as a vacation home or other occasional occupancy type situation. Borrowers are free to purchase homes with up to four units and rent out the unused living units, but at least one borrower must occupy the home as her or his primary residence (usually within two months of loan closing). So if you are looking | more...

July 6, 2017

Who Should Get An FHA Loan? Part Two

By Joe Wallace

Who should get an FHA Loan? There are many reasons why you might want to explore your FHA loan options, and not all of them involve the need to purchase a new home. FHA loans are for both house hunters and those who are looking to refinance. The options you choose will depend on your financial needs and goals. FHA Loans Are For Refinancing, Too FHA refinance loans are an excellent choice for those who want to refinance. FHA loans can refinance existing FHA mortgages, but also non-FHA loans such as VA or conventional mortgages. Refinancing into an FHA mortgage has an even bigger advantage if you are currently in a non-FHA mortgage with an adjustable rate. You can refinance into a fixed-rate FHA home loan and get the benefit | more...

April 26, 2017

FHA Reverse Mortgages: An Appraisal Question

By Joe Wallace

A reader asked us a question in the comments section recently about FHA reverse mortgages and the appraisal process for them. “We have a detached garage with a 500 square foot “mother-in-law unit” on top. Will this structure be included in the appraisal in which the reverse mortgage is based on?” FHA loan rules for appraisals are found in HUD 4000.1. Before quoting the rules for appraising what the FHA loan rule book classifies as an “accessory dwelling unit” or ADU, it’s important to remember that state law, and certain building code requirements may also apply. FHA appraisals include determining whether an outbuilding is an ADU or not. The FHA definition of an ADU is as follows: “An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) refers to a habitable living unit added to, | more...

March 22, 2017

Refinancing Your FHA Mortgage

By Joe Wallace

There are many reasons why people refinance a home loan. Some do it to lower their interest rates, others may wish to cash in on the equity built up in the home over time. Still others might want to do upgrades or repairs to the home but don’t want to pay all the costs out-of-pocket. The reasons you refinance may vary, and for that reason there are a variety of choices when it comes time to consider an FHA refinance loan. Lower Interest Rates The FHA streamline refinance option lets borrowers apply for a loan using their original loan application data. There is no FHA requirement for a new credit check or appraisal. (Your lender may require one or both.) FHA streamline refinance loans must result in a tangible benefit | more...

March 1, 2017

FHA HECM Loans: A Reader Question

By Joe Wallace

FHA refinance loans include the FHA HECM loan option for qualified borrowers. A reader asked us a question recently on HECM loans; “How does the Non-Borrowing spouse prove or show legal ownership of the property to the lender after the last surviving HECM mortgagor has died?” The reader is referring to an FHA loan rule modification that came out in 2014 about the deferral period for FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgages that involve a surviving, non-borrowing spouse. Mortgagee Letter 2014-07 states: “In the event the last surviving mortgagor predeceases a Non-Borrowing Spouse, the due and payable status will be deferred for as long as a Non- Borrowing Spouse continues to meet all the qualifying attributes stated in the above section. In addition, such Non-Borrowing Spouse must satisfy and continue to | more...

November 16, 2016

FHA Reverse Mortgage Counseling

By Joe Wallace

We addressed FHA reverse mortgages in a recent blog post, discussing several aspects of these home equity conversion mortgages. One thing that makes the FHA reverse mortgage program unique from FHA refinance loan options is that these types of loans (also known as FHA HECM loans) are only for qualified borrowers age 62 or older who own or almost own their homes outright. The FHA official site describes HECM loans as follows: “If you are a homeowner age 62 or older and have paid off your mortgage or paid down a considerable amount, and are currently living in the home, you may participate in FHA’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. The HECM is FHA’s reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home’s equity. You | more...

November 15, 2016

FHA Refinance Loans and HECM Reverse Mortgages

By Joe Wallace

There are two types of FHA loans borrowers should know about when considering their refinance loan options. One is a traditional cash-out or no cash out refinance loan, the other is a reverse mortgage also known as an FHA HECM loan. HECM stands for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. The standard refinance loan and FHA HECM options are very different and serve different needs, but depending on the borrower it may be good to be familiar with both. Typical FHA refinance loans involve situations where the borrower typically has an existing mortgage and applies for a new loan that pays off the original mortgage, creating a brand new monthly payment, loan term, etc. Depending on the terms of the loan cash back may or may not happen, but for cash-out refinancing | more...