FHA
Securing an FHA mortgage is about to get more expensive. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Federal Housing Authority outlined policy changes to its mortgage assistance program. The shift is meant to both reduce the government group’s portfolio risk while strengthening its overall financials. FHA has announced new guidelines for financing to be in effect this spring. In an effort to beef up the reserves for FHA, new costs will be associated with an FHA loan. For homebuyers with a credit score less than 580, the minimum downpayment will be 10%. For credit scores above 580, the downpayment is still...
In March 2008, HUD temporarily raised FHA loan limits around the country. Effective January 1, 2009, FHA loan limits revert. FHA home loans are mortgages made by private lenders and insured by the federal government. Historically, FHA home loans have been “easier” for which to qualify than their conforming mortgage counterparts and, therefore, tend to be associated with borrowers of tarnished credit quality. Today, that’s the not the case. ...
Earlier this year — and for the first time in its history — the FHA changed its funding fees and mortgage insurance structure. Effective October 1, 2008, it’s repealing those changes. Partly to keep FHA home loans affordable, and partly to comply with new laws, the FHA is rolling back its up-front fees and ongoing mortgage insurance requirements and replacing them with new ones. The new up-front FHA fees are as follows: 1.750% : All purchase and “standard” refinances 1.500% : All “streamline” refinances 3.000% : All FHASecure programs for delinquent mortgagors These fees are paid as a one-time cost at...
For the first time in its history, the FHA changed its funding fees and mortgage insurance structure this week. FHA-insured home loans are now subject to a risk-based pricing adjustment. Because of risk-based pricing, FHA home loans are now more expensive for borrowers with less-than-ideal credit profiles, and less expensive borrowers with perfect ones. Prior to the changes, most FHA borrowers paid an up-front fee of 1.500 percent, plus on-going annual mortgage insurance payments equal to one-half-percent on the amount borrowed. FHA-insured mortgages have grown in popularity this year because, while the guidelines of other mortgage products have tightened, FHA program guidelines...
