Posts Tagged FHA loans
FHA Loans Are a Great Option For First-Time Home Buyers!
Posted by Victoria Belle-Miller in Finances on 04/20/2010
For a first-time home buyer, the process of buying his or her first home can be complicated and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! FHA loans have flexible requirements and actually save first-time home buyers large sums of money both upfront and in the long run. These loans offer multiple benefits and are not difficult to qualify for!
Benefits of this Type of Financing
While many home loans can require large down payments, this type of loan has a low down payment requirement. The down payment is usually about 3.5% of the purchase price. Applicants who are just starting out may not have a large sum of money to pay up front, so this loan would be very beneficial to them. New homeowners can use the money they save to pay for the many other expenses associated with buying a new home.
These loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which makes lenders more likely to offer low interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate daily, but these loans often have lower interest rates when compared to other types of home loans. With a lower interest rate, homeowners save money on their monthly mortgage payments and over time. This leaves more money in their pockets every month for all of their other expenses.
Loan Requirements
This type of financing does have certain requirements for borrowers. An appraisal will be done to determine the home’s value and to ensure that the home is hazard-free and structurally sound. At closing, the borrower must pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium to cover the costs of the loan in case of default. This mortgage insurance premium is usually equal to about 1.75% of the total loan amount. Also, the borrower will have to escrow his or her property taxes and homeowner’s insurance into an account to keep payments up to date.
The FHA does not have strict credit and income requirements. The borrower needs to have gone at least twelve months without any delinquent rent payments and should have a credit score of at least 620. In some cases, a borrower with a credit score lower than 620 can still qualify for a loan, but may have to make a higher down payment. Borrowers must also be financing a home that is considered to be their primary residence, which means they will live there at least six months out of the year.
Now is the Time to Take Action!
Current FHA guidelines are scheduled to change this spring. First, the down payment requirement will be higher for borrowers with credit scores lower than 580. Secondly, the required mortgage insurance premium will increase to 2.25%, which will increase home buyers’ upfront costs. Third, the amount of seller concessions permitted will soon be capped at 3%. These changes are meant to improve the viability of the FHA loan program.
First-time home buyers who apply for a loan and have a purchase contract by April 30, 2010 can also take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, which can provide up to $8000 in tax credits. This is yet another way for them to save money with their FHA loans. This incentive ends soon, so borrowers who want to use the tax credit should act now!
First-time home buyers who want to enjoy the benefits of an FHA loan, and save money by avoiding the upcoming changes, should contact an FHA loan specialist for more information about how to apply.
Victoria Belle-Miller is the newest member of the FHAMortgageBank.com writing staff. Her background in journalistic writing and ability to evaluate the issues that Americans face in daily life make her a strong addition to the FHA loans team and a valuable source of sound mortgage advice.
5 Great Reasons to Finance With an FHA Mortgage!
Posted by Victoria Belle-Miller in Finances on 03/16/2010
FHA mortgages are great for people looking to purchase a home and current homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages. With all of the advantages this type of loan offers, borrowers can finance their homes and save money in the process! A low down payment requirement and competitive rates leave borrowers with more money to spend on other expenses.
Easy to Qualify
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures these loans, does not have strict income or credit score requirements. The FHA only considers the preceding twelve months of a borrower’s credit history to determine if he or she qualifies, though most lenders still require a minimum credit score of 620. So, an applicant with a troubled financial past can qualify for this type of financing if he or she has had no delinquent payments within the last twelve months.
Low Interest Rates
Because the FHA insures this loan, lenders can offer lower interest rates than on other home loans. A homeowner will save money on his or her monthly mortgage payment when he or she has a low interest rate and, over time, can end up saving thousands of dollars in interest!
Low Down Payment Requirement
This type of financing is great for first-time homebuyers who may not have a lot of money or who have yet to build up their credit histories. Compared with other home loans, this loan has a fairly low down payment requirement. Typically, the FHA requires a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price of the home. By paying less money out of pocket, first time homebuyers can have more money to cover the other expenses associated with buying a new home.
Refinancing Options
With the rate/term refinance mortgage, a homeowner can change the rate and/or terms of his or current mortgage. If current interest rates are lower than when the homeowner took out the original mortgage, he or she may be eligible to receive the lower interest rate. Homeowners can also switch from an adjustable mortgage rate to fixed rate. This change can end up saving the homeowner thousands of dollars over time because the rate will no longer fluctuate. The length of the mortgage can also be changed, if desired.
With the cash-out refinance mortgage, a homeowner can receive cash back by refinancing his or her mortgage. The homeowner would take out a loan for a higher amount than his or her current mortgage and receive whatever is left over after paying off the existing mortgage. There are no restrictions on how the cash is used. The funds can be used to pay for home repairs, medical expenses or other expenses.
There is also a debt-consolidation refinance mortgage. This FHA mortgage allows homeowners to combine some or all of their debt into one monthly payment. This not only makes it easier to pay off the debt, but it also saves the homeowner a significant amount of money in interest and tax savings.
Finance Now Before FHA Guidelines Change
The FHA plans to implement a few guideline changes very soon. Some of these changes include an increase of the mortgage insurance premium, as well as an increase in the down payment amount for borrowers who have credit scores below 580. Interest rates are also subject to change daily, so now is a great time to see what an FHA mortgage can offer you.
Victoria Belle-Miller is the newest member of the FHAMortgageBank.com writing staff. Her background in journalistic writing and ability to evaluate the issues that Americans face in daily life make her a strong addition to the FHA loans team and a valuable source of sound mortgage advice.
Lenient FHA Loan Guidelines Make Now a Great Time to Apply
Posted by Victoria Belle-Miller in Finances on 02/21/2010
FHA loans are a great option for first time homebuyers on the house hunt, as well as current homeowners who are looking to refinance their current mortgages. These loans offer low down payments, as well as low interest rates, which helps keep monthly mortgage payments low. This type of financing, which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), also has more lenient credit and income qualifications than most other home loans. Even potential borrowers who have less-than-average credit scores may still be able to qualify.
Loan Eligibility
It is typically easier to qualify for this type of financing, compared with other types of home loans. While the FHA does have lenient credit score and income requirements, most lenders require that applicants have a credit score of at least 620 to qualify. The FHA also requires that applicants have a clean credit history of at least twelve months, meaning they have had no delinquent mortgage payments during the twelve months preceding their application. The house an applicant wants to finance must be his or her primary residence, which means they plan to live there at least six months out of the year.
Loan Requirements
This type of financing requires that the borrower make a down payment on the home being purchased, as well as monthly mortgage payments. The down payment can be as low as 3.5%, which is much lower than down payments on most other home loans. Applicants will also have to pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium on the loan, which is currently equal to 1.75% of the loan amount.
Before the loan can be closed, an appraisal will need to be done on the home to ensure that the home meets all of the minimum safety standards that the FHA requires and to document the value of the property. Borrowers also will be required to escrow their homeowner’s insurance and property taxes, which ensures that everything is paid up to at least one year.
There is interest on the loan, but it is typically lower than conventional loan rates. And borrowers can opt for fixed interest rates so that their rates remain unchanged over the life of their loans and their monthly mortgage payments are consistent. This option would be especially good for borrowers who have had credit issues in the past.
Loan Refinance
For a current homeowner, refinancing with an FHA loan could lower his or her interest rate, which could also lower the monthly mortgage payment. Refinancing also gives homeowners the option of changing the terms of their loans. They can extend the length of their loans or change from adjustable rates to fixed rates, which could save them thousands of dollars in the long run. With the cash-back refinancing option, homeowners can take out a loan for a higher amount than the amount needed to pay off their current mortgage and use the rest to pay off large bills or cover other expenses. There are no restrictions on how a homeowner can use the cash.
Apply Now Before Requirements Change!
This type of financing offers several benefits and has relaxed guidelines. A borrower who does not have a lot of money for a large down payment can still become a homeowner with this type of loan. Current homeowners can save money every month by refinancing and getting lower interest rates, as well as receive cash back for other financial needs.
The FHA will be changing their requirements in the next few months, so now is a good time to speak with a FHA loan specialist to determine whether this type of financing is right for you!
Victoria Belle-Miller is the newest member of the FHAMortgageBank.com writing staff. Her background in journalistic writing and ability to evaluate the issues that Americans face in daily life make her a strong addition to the FHA loans team and a valuable source of sound mortgage advice.
FHA Loans Can Still Provide Many Benefits
Posted by Anne Johnson in Finances on 02/08/2010
Many prospective homeowners and mortgage professionals have heard that the regulations for FHA loans are changing. After the sub-prime mortgage industry died down, the FHA home loan program became the scapegoat for any and all problems associated with the housing market. Critics believe that the FHA loan program is too lenient on its credit requirements. Because of this constant scrutiny and other outside criticisms, the FHA has decided to make some significant changes to its qualifying requirements for its home loan program.
In past years, the FHA home loan program did not require a specific credit score in order to qualify for their loans. Although most lenders required at least a 620, many critics of the FHA’s program believe that the lack of a credit score requirement has led to the large number of defaults after the housing market crash. In order to prevent this from happening in the future, the FHA’s new rules state that a borrower must have at least a 580 credit score in order to take advantage of their 3.5% down payment program. If an applicant has a credit score below 580, they must put at least 10% down on a new home.
A protection that has always existed on FHA loans is the required mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance provides benefits for both the homeowner and the lender. This type of insurance helps the lender because it ensures that they will be paid in case of borrower default. Because the lender knows that the loan is insured by the federal government, they are more likely to offer favorable terms to the borrower.
A new change to the FHA’s mortgage insurance raises the up front premium by half a percent from 1.75% to 2.25% of the loan amount. This effort is a way to ensure the sustainability of the FHA loan program. The FHA is currently trying to obtain Congressional approval to increase the annual premium. If this approval is granted, the FHA would reduce the amount by which they increased the up front premium. Some FHA officials have discussed making the premiums risk based, which would mean that the premiums would vary depending on credit score and history.
The last protection which the Federal Housing Administration has decided to implement with these changes is a reduction in allowable seller concessions. When these new regulations go into effect, the seller will only be able to provide 3%, whereas before, the seller could provide up to 6% of the purchase price. These regulations are all set to take effect in April, 2010 and are an effort to increase the quality of FHA loans.
Only time will tell if these regulations will have the desired effect and increase the quality of the FHA home loans issued. Many homeowners are in agreement with the changes because they want the housing market to bounce back quickly and believe that the best way for this change to occur is to require more of prospective homebuyers. Other homeowners believe that, while encouraging people to improve their credit is beneficial, restricting home loan applicants does more to hinder the housing market rather than stimulate it. Hopefully, these new changes will have a positive effect and help the housing market grow and prosper.
As a former psychology major, finding solutions to resolve problems has always been a subject of interest to me. I hope that my writing will give people the confidence to make important decisions about FHA loans. In addition to writing, I love to read, knit, spend time with friends and family, and watch the Missouri Tigers and Green Bay Packers!
Get Low Rates With an FHA Loan
Posted by Victoria Belle-Miller in Finances on 01/20/2010
Overview
FHA loans are a great option for individuals who are either purchasing a new home or refinancing their current home. Because these loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), borrower s have access to lower interest rates than may be available to them on other types of home loans and can feel secure knowing their loan terms will never change.
FHA loans have a low down payment requirement (3.5% of the purchase price) and they allow homeowners to finance a large percentage of their home’s value, allowing them to either receive more cash back from a refinance or save money on a down payment for a purchase.
The FHA does not require high credit scores, so it is easier for individuals to qualify for this type of loan than most others.
Competitive Interest Rates, Even for Less-Than-Perfect Credit
Because these loans are insured by the FHA, they are considered by lenders to be a reasonably secure investment. The insurance reimburses lenders for any outstanding balance in the event that the borrower defaults. This makes FHA lenders more likely to offer their customers lower interest rates.
Although mortgage rates constantly fluctuate and depend upon current mortgage market conditions, they are usually low compared with other types of loans. If borrowers choose a fixed rate for their FHA mortgage, that interest rate will never change over the life of the loan.
With a fixed rate, the homeowner will always know what to expect on their monthly payments and will not have to worry about rates or their monthly payment increasing.
Homeowners who have an FHA loan can lower their interest rate any time the market improves with a streamline refinance, which requires less documentation and processing than other refinance transactions.
When borrowers refinance, they can lower both their rate and monthly payment. If rates have decreased since the original loan was taken out, even homeowners with a fixed rate can receive a lower rate with the streamline refinance. Lowering the rate on a home loan frequently results in not just long term savings, but lower monthly payments, as well.
Eligibility Requirements: Credit and Type of Ownership
To be eligible for an FHA home loan, the borrower must be financing the home that is his or her primary residence. The FHA does not require that borrowers have high credit scores, but most lenders want borrowers to have a credit score of at least 620. In addition, there can be no delinquent mortgage payment reported within the 12 months preceding the loan application.
If a potential homeowner has not built up a sufficient credit history, he or she can still qualify for an FHA loan. These applicants will be asked to provide certain types of alternate documentation in order to prove their ability to consistently make payments.
While not every financial product is right for everyone, FHA loans have many benefits that make them the ideal solution to a variety of home financing needs. Homeowners who feel they may be interested in this type of financing should speak with an FHA loan specialist to find out more about their options.
Victoria Belle-Miller is the newest member of the FHAMortgageBank.com writing staff. Her background in journalistic writing and ability to evaluate the issues that Americans face in daily life make her a strong addition to the FHA loans team and a valuable source of sound mortgage advice.