The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is the largest government insurer of mortgages in the world.
Since its inception in 1934, FHA has insured over 34 million properties by providing mortgage insurance on single-family, multifamily, manufactured homes and hospital loans made by FHA-approved lenders.
The mortgage insurance provided by FHA will pay the lender if a default occurs by the homeowner. Borrowers must qualify and meet lender requirements but the lender bears less risk because the FHA insures the mortgage loan. There are many benefits and protections that come with FHA loans. Some of those benefits are listed below:
Less than Perfect Credit
FHA loans are generally easier to obtain. These loans have flexible income, debt, and credit requirements to help borrowers qualify. FHA can help a consumer qualify with less than perfect credit. Unlike conventional loans, FHA views a consumer’s credit history with reasonable credit underwriting and does not solely rely upon credit scoring.
Lo
w Down Payment
FH A requires a 3.5% downpayment which can be funded by a gift from a family member, employer, charitable organization or grant. Available on 1-4 unit properties.
Competitive Interest Rates
Because FHA loans are insured by the government, lenders can offer some of the best interest rates.
Easy Qualifying
The requirements for loan qualification are often easier than conventional mortgage loan qualification because lenders have the assurance that mortgages are backed by the government.
Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program
HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of a home in HUD designated revitalization areas. In return you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence. In order to qualify you must be one of the following:
- Law enforcement officer
- Pre-K through 12th grade teacher
- Firefighter
- Emergency medical technician
Manufactured and Mobile Homes
FHA has two different loans for manufactured and mobile homes, one for borrowers who own the land and the other for mobile homes located in mobile home parks. Get more information from HUD.
Funds for Fixer-Uppers, Repair and Remodeling
HUD’s 203(k) program can help you purchase or refinance a property and include in the loan the cost of repairs and home improvement. You can also refinance your existing home with FHA and include the costs of remodeling in the new loan. Visit HUD’s 203(k) program for more details.
Reverse Mortgage Plans for Seniors
FHA’s reverse mortgage program allows seniors to convert their built up equity to cash and repayment is only required when the senior no longer uses the home as their principal residence. See HUD’s reverse mortgage.
Other Uses of FHA Loans
Loans can be used to make your home more energy efficient. FHA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage program is for homebuyers as well as existing homeowners. Learn more.
Help to avoid Foreclosure
FHA insured loans have many options to help you avoid foreclosure and keep you in your home. One program is partial claim. Under the partial claim program your lender can obtain a one-time payment from FHA-Insurance fund to bring your mortgage current. FHA will advance the defaulted amount on behalf of the borrower to the lender. Read more
2010 Guidelines
FHA mortgage loan limits vary by State and Counties, with larger loan amounts allowed in areas with higher housing costs. To better understand how the limits are set, see MORTGAGEE LETTER 2009-50 from HUD dated November 25, 2009.
Minimum FHA loan limit amounts (the “floor”) by property size for 2010 are as follows:
| One-family | $271,050 |
| Two-family | $347,000 |
| Three-family | $419,400 |
| Four-family | $521,250 |
Any area where the loan limits may exceed the floor is known as a high cost area (the “ceiling”) and the loan limits are as follows:
| One-family | $729,500 |
| Two-family | $934,200 |
| Three-family | $1,129,250 |
| Four-family | $1,403,400 |
There are special exceptions for the high cost areas of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands. The mortgage loan limits can be adjusted up above the “national ceiling of $729,500.” The limits are as follows:
| One-family | $1,094,625 |
| Two-family | $1,401,300 |
| Three-family | $1,693,875 |
| Four-family | $2,105,100 |
The information above is not guaranteed as the current economic challenges have created a need for FHA to regularly adjust and update mortgage loan limits. The most accurate information can be found at https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm for your specific State and County.
