What types of homes can qualify for an FHA loan?
FHA loans are designed for people buying homes to live in, so they are generally not available for the purchase of vacation homes or investment properties. However, an FHA loan can be made on a property with up to four housing units. As long as the buyer lives in one of them, there's no rule against renting out the others.
What terms do FHA loans offer?
FHA loans are fixed-rate mortgages. These types of loans only require a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price. Plus, borrowers can typically roll their closing costs into the loan, meaning that the true out-of-pocket cost is just the 3.5% down payment. FHA loans are available with 15 or 30 year mortgage terms.
How to qualify for an FHA loan
Borrowers with a credit score as low as 500 can qualify for an FHA loan with a down payment of 10% or more.
Can't swing a 10% down payment? Don't stress -- work on boosting your credit score. Borrowers with a FICO® credit score of 580 or higher can get an FHA mortgage with a minimum 3.5% down payment. Note lenders also require least two years of steady employment in the same field to qualify for the lower down payment rate.
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is typically required to be less than 43%, although lenders can stretch this to as high as 50% in some circumstances. In contrast, conventional loans typically require a minimum credit score of 620.
Note the FHA lending guidelines can change over time. When I obtained an FHA loan to buy my first home in 2012, the credit score requirement was 620 for a 3.5% down payment.
The benefits of FHA loans
Some of the advantages of FHA loans include:
- Easy qualification. If you have a low credit score, you might not qualify for a conventional mortgage -- but you might qualify for an FHA loan.
- Low down payment. Borrowers only need 3.5% down and can roll closing costs into the loan. Plus, your down payment can come from a gift.
- Low interest rates. Because the loans are guaranteed to the mortgage lender, FHA mortgage rates are generally lower than interest rates for conventional mortgages.
The drawbacks of FHA loans
There are two major drawbacks to FHA loans: the cost and the loan limits.
- Cost. The key drawback to using an FHA loan to buy your home is the cost. Borrowers are required to pay for FHA mortgage insurance, regardless of how strong or weak their credit score and other qualifications may be. FHA mortgage insurance has an upfront premium and an ongoing premium. Borrowers with an FHA loan pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75% of the initial loan amount plus an ongoing FHA mortgage insurance premium of 0.45% to 1.05% of the loan balance per year, paid in monthly installments.
- Loan limits. In addition to the cost, FHA loans are limited in terms of loan amounts. That's because FHA loans aren't designed for high-dollar home purchases. Limits change from year to year but generally will only pay for an average house (nothing extravagant).
Who should consider an FHA loan?
FHA loans can be excellent choices for many borrowers, despite the higher cost. They can be great options for:
- First-time homebuyers and others who don't have a lot of cash for a down payment.
- Borrowers who don't have a long-established credit history or who have made some credit mistakes in the past and have a relatively low credit score.
The differences between FHA lenders
This doesn't mean all FHA-approved lenders are exactly the same. There are several factors you should take into consideration when shopping for an FHA loan. These include:
Customer service
Finding an FHA-approved lender with excellent customer service is crucial for homebuyers, especially first-timers. Some lenders, such as Rocket Mortgage®, have fantastic reputations for customer service.
Integration with other accounts
It can be convenient to keep all of your financial accounts in one place. For example, if you bank with Wells Fargo, it could be a good idea to get a mortgage quote from Wells Fargo Mortgage. Plus, some lenders offer discounts on origination fees and other lender fees for existing customers.
Qualification requirements
The FHA sets minimum standards, but some lenders have more lenient qualification requirements than others. For example, one mortgage lender might not even look at applicants with a DTI ratio of more than 40% while others might welcome borrowers with higher debt levels.
Interest rates and other fees
One of the most important things homebuyers can do is to rate shop potential lenders. Look for the lowest annual percentage rate (APR). A loan's APR includes any origination fees as well as the loan's interest rate. Comparing APRs allows you to understand the true costs of different loans.
Worried about your credit score? Don't be: No matter how many mortgage applications you fill out during a two-week shopping period, it will count as a single inquiry on your credit score.
Other fees that vary by lender include:
- Lender origination fees
- Underwriting fees
- Rate lock fees
- Document fees
In addition, there are several fees you'll likely have to pay to third parties, such as appraisal fees, attorney fees, and credit report fees. While these aren't paid directly to the lender, mortgage lenders often have their preferred attorneys and other vendors that they use.
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